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  MOUNTAIN BIKE HEAVEN By Lora J. Finnegan
Here, the public lands managed by the BLM are truly vast – about 1.2 million acres in the Grand Junction area – and its terrain encompasses everything from desertscapes to mountaintops. This landscape is not for biking wimps, since it ranges from 4,300 feet to over 7,000 feet in elevation. But for those willing to sweat a little, the payoffs are huge: views of awesome redrock canyons or jaw-dropping vistas across the Colorado River. And the clean, fresh air is tinged with the fragrance of piñon pine, juniper, or sagebrush. Mountain bike enthusiast Gregory Luck, of Brown Cycles in Grand Junction, spells out why this area is so ideal for mountain biking. "There's just a ton of biking here. Miles of trails are handy to town – you can drive to the trailheads, or leave the car and just cycle to the start." Mention that
To ease into the scene, head for the BLM's McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area just outside of Fruita and near Loma, Colorado. The well-marked four-mile Rustler's Loop (rated easy) is family-friendly, with interpretive trail signs and views down into the Ruby and Horsethief canyons of the Colorado River. The mother lode of mountain bike areas is the North Fruita Desert, eight miles northwest of Grand Junction. With a system of 83 miles of trails, there's a lot to choose from. For a good warmup, try Zippity (easy to moderate), a 6.3-mile loop with vistas out to the tan, corrugated Book Cliffs. Or for a bit more challenge, there's Chutes Trail (moderate), a 9.5-miler that crosses four drainages. Just two miles southwest of Grand Junction, the Tabeguache Trail accesses a whole network of routes, like the six-mile Lunch Loop (moderate to difficult) – it's so popular with locals, you may have to keep an eye out to avoid runners and dog-walkers. BLM's multiple-use mission means
A bit of planning is required: check the weather ahead, take a map, lots of water (one gallon per person is advised), some snacks, and a jacket. If you need some gear for your bike, like an extra tire repair kit, check into any of three area bike shops. Or if you don't have your own wheels, visit one of the local shops, where you can rent a full-suspension mountain bike for about $50 per day. Once your tires hit the dirt, you'll know it's worth all the effort. The scent of sage fills your nostrils and a pounding heartbeat drums in your ears. As you grunt your way up the Chutes or zoom down Zippity, the uptight, civilized world just melts away. And whether you're a laid-back rider or a pedaling fiend like my brother Bill, you'll agree that Grand Junction's public lands are a slice of mountain bike heaven! If you go: BLM, 970-244-3000, www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html The Bike Shop, Grand Junction, 970-243-0807 Board and Buckle, Grand Junction, 970-242-9285 Brown Cycles, Grand Junction, 970-245-7939 Bicycle Outfitters, Grand Junction, 970-245-2699 DT Swiss Bike Technology USA, Grand Junction, 970-242-9232 Over the Edge Sports Ltd, Fruita, 970-858-7220 Ruby Canyon Cycles, Grand Junction, 970-241-0141 Single Tracks, Fruita, 970-858-3917 Velo Canyon, Grand Junction, 970-241-2425 |
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