Ride & Trail Reports

Fruita Fools Day MTB Trip

Joe's Ridge 18 Road Fruita

All Quiet on the Western Slope

Situated where the great Rocky Mountains meet the desert plateau with the Book Cliffs to the north and the Colorado River to the south, Colorado’s Grand Valley provides a reprieve from the chaos and overpopulation that is the Front Range. Life moves slower back here, with plenty of time to greet the morning in the warm desert sun or bid adieu to the day among a technicolor horizon.

La Pasadita Green River

Day 1 – Park City to Fruita

April in Utah is a special time of year. Where mid-week powder days and sunny desert weekend runs can bookend the workweek. With Tuesday and Wednesday proving to be epic pow days, we loaded up the bikes and truck in chase of the sunny and 70 degree forecast to the south.

Joe's Ridge 18 Road Fruita
Photo: David Spinowitz
Joe's Ridge 18 Road Fruita

Above: After setting up camp at 18 Road, we set out for an evening spin on PBR and Joe’s Ridge.


Trevor of Guide Pro

Day 2 – Lunch Loops, Grand Junction

Post-lazy camp morning, we headed to Grand Junction and met up with friends Trevor and Sienna of Guide Pro. Never having ridden Lunch Loops, I was both excited and a little intimidated to have a couple locals like Trevor and Sienna show us around as they’re both absolute rippers. Lucky for us, they’re also both very patient 😉

Lunch Loops Grand Junction

Lunch Loops Grand Junction

Lunch Loops Grand Junction

Holy Cross Grand Junction

Lunch Loops Grand Junction

Lunch Loops Grand Junction

Below: The Crux on Holy Cross. Who rode it best – Allison, Sienna, or Trevor?

Holy Cross Grand Junction

Holy Cross Grand Junction

Holy Cross Grand Junction

After an epic ride and tailgate sesh, we ventured into Palisade for some beer and brisket. Palisade Brewery is a must stop if you’re in the area. Big thanks again to Trevor and Sienna for playing tour guides and be sure and hit us up next time you’re in Park City so we can return the favor!

Holy Cross Grand Junction


Day 3 – PBR & Horsethief Bench

After another lazy morning and breakfast lap on PBR, we set out for the Kokopelli trailhead. If you’re a mountain biker, you’ve likely seen photos of the iconic Horsethief Bench drop-in. While perhaps ridable for 1% or so of the mtb population, most mere mortals simply walk our bikes down it. The rest of the trail is fast and flowy with a nice amount of tech to keep things interesting for both intermediate and advanced riders.

Horsethief Bench
Photo: David Spinowitz

Horsethief Bench
Photo: David Spinowitz

Horsethief Bench

Horsethief Bench
Photo: David Spinowitz


Strava Ride Profiles

Friday – PBR & Joe’s Ridge, 18 Road

Screenshot-2016-04-05-10.56.11

View on Strava

Saturday – Holy Grail / Lunch Loops

Screenshot-2016-04-05-11.53.24

View on Strava

Sunday – Horsethief Bench

Screenshot-2016-04-05-11.55.51

View on Strava

About the author

Alex

Alex is a designer by trade & mid-grade adventurer by night who’s quite partial to knobby tired bikes, clean design, & dirty hands. When not updating this silly website, he's likely off exploring the nearby hills with a few of his favorite partners in crime.

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