Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Biking - be it on a paved road or a mountain trail - is one of the most popular recreation activities in Northwest Colorado.

Maintained trails and paved roads are littered with cyclists as soon as the trails dry, and bikers pedal until the first snowfall of winter.

Mount Werner also is the staging area for the growing Rio 24 Hours of Steamboat, a grueling 24-hour mountain bike race for solo mountain bikers and teams. One lap is a climb from the base of the ski area to the top of the gondola, a vertical gain of nearly 2,000 feet.

The race is from noon June 9 to noon June 10.

Mount Werner is open for mountain bikers when races aren't going on.

This summer will be a popular one for road cyclists, as well. Ride the Rockies, a statewide bicycle ride, will be visiting Steamboat on June 17. The Bicycle Tour of Colorado, a fully supported bicycle ride, will leave Steamboat on June 24 and return June 30 via stops in Walden, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Leadville and Kremmling. It is an event that draws international cyclists for its scenic stops and route.

The third annual Tour de Steamboat, a noncompetitive event organized by local cyclists, will cover more than 100 miles with a mix of climbs and descents on Rabbit Ears, Gore and Yellow Jacket passes. It's a one-day ride with a post-ride party Aug 11.

"There are tons of great road rides in Routt County," said Barkley Robinson, an avid cyclist in the county. "The cool thing is it's getting better all the time because the county is paving new roads all the time."

Robinson recommends a road ride from Steamboat Springs out on Twentymile Road, or Routt County Road 33, to C.R. 27, which leads to Oak Creek. From Oak Creek, cyclists can turn onto C.R. 14 past Stagecoach before connecting with Colorado Highway 131, which returns to Steamboat. The lap is 55 miles.

But Routt County isn't the only place for cyclists. A growing number of people in Moffat County are taking to the roads in something other than their cars. Dave Pike, director of the Craig Parks and Recreation Department said Craig isn't as bike-friendly as Steamboat but the town is improving its trails and has a vision for the future.

"When you get out of town, there is a ton of stuff on BLM land, at Freeman Reservoir, and there are some good trails down at Loudy-Simpson Park," Pike said.

The Sand Rocks offer other great mountain biking options, and Cedar Mountain gives bikers a more technical ride.