Road Biking in the Roaring Fork Valley

With the sun lasting longer every day, the flowers blooming, the trees popping, and shorts and t-shirts coming out, bike season is amongst us. There is a little bit for everybody whether you are a beach cruiser, road biker, or downhiller Aspen Snowmass has it all. Check out here to see the 50 miles of cross country trails and downhill routes that SkiCo meticulously maintains.

 

If you’re a road biker, some of the routes are obvious, but a lot of the best ones are word of mouth. Here are a few of my favorite road routes you can find me on the app, Strava (Walker Moriarty), or give me a call and I would love to show you myself.

 

Arguably the most popular, this is an hour to an hour and a half from Aspen Highlands. It is a great quick ride with a solid vertical and steep grades, but also has areas to catch your breath and have a conversation if you are riding with friends. In the past few years, it has become very busy with buses going to the Maroon Bells and also the introduction of the e-bike. I’m always a proponent of people getting outside and getting on two wheels, but make sure to wear a helmet and be cautious of people around you. It’s worth the ride to see the Bells at the end.

 

This is a route that I made up, but one of my favorites. If you’re in Snowmass Village, start at the Snowmass Rec Center and head up Brush Creek to the top of Sinclair Road (Peak 1). After that make your way back down Meadow Road, get back on Brush Creek, and head to the top of Faraway (Peak 2). Finish it off by coming back down, getting back on Brush Creek, and biking to the top of The Divide. This ride is about an hour to an hour and a half and is all vertical. So if you’re trying to get a maximum effort in minimum time, this ride is for you. Keep in mind Brush Creek can be busy, but there are plenty of sidewalks you can get on to avoid traffic.

 

This is my favorite mid-summer ride. If you start at the hospital, it is about an hour and a half to two hours to the top and it is a great ride to do with friends; a few steep pitches, but plenty of gradual climbs to be able to have a conversation and enjoy the scenery. An added bonus is that there are very few cars on the road so you don’t have to be looking over your shoulder every few minutes.

 

If you start in or around Aspen, this is about an hour and forty-five minutes to two and a half hours. You go down Cemetary Lane and make your way up McLain Flats down to Woody Creek. From there, you go up Woody Creek road until you reach the dirt road. There are a few busy sections, but a lot of peace and quiet once you get to Woody Creek and there is nothing better than grabbing a mid-ride beer or bite at The Tavern.

 

This is one of the most amazing paved trails that go throughout CO. From anywhere in the Roaring Fork Valley you can jump on the Rio Grande and head to Glenwood and back. This is a classic flatter ride, but it can be a deceiving push on the way back up the valley towards Aspen. Be conscious of people walking and the hidden driveways, but a great place to get started on a road bike or for a family day. If you get tired or have a few cocktails at any of the restaurants along the way, don’t forget about the bus service, RFTA!

 

I typically start in Aspen, but you can easily start at the Old Snowmass Market. From here you go up Snowmass Creek Road and stay right and you will see signs to the St Benedict’s Monastery. Go adventure and check out this unique place of worship or continue on the road and head towards Capitol Creek. You can then come down and get back on Snowmass Creek Road and take this all the way to Sheild O Road. If you’re feeling adventurous, come back down and head back to town over Watson Divide. This ride is pure magic and you get to see the ranching and wild part of the valley.

 

A local badge of honor. To make it to the top of the pass is anywhere from two to three hours and you are in the red zone the entire time. I strongly encourage you to stay away from this ride when the pass is open and instead to do this pre-Memorial day when the road is closed. You will see multiple seasons in one ride and it really is a breath of fresh air. If you do this ride early in the year, be careful of rocks, boulders, sticks, and debris on the road.

 

Don’t forget to visit your local bike shop to get the new gear and to get all of your equipment tuned.