Today is officially the first day of spring, and that means that bike season is officially here too!
Fruita has the best spring mountain bike riding. It’s the perfect temperature, and everyone is itching to get outside to start blasting those quads. Here are some tips to make your trip to Fruita the most enjoyable!
Riding – let’s start with the most important aspect first, the riding! The Grand Valley has a few trail systems, but these are the most well known in the area.
18 Road – these trails are flowy, fun, and mellow. They are perfect if you’re beginning in this sport, or if you want to get in a bunch of hot laps. They are located in the North Fruita desert and are the classic trails that put Fruita on the map. Prime Cut is the directional climb trail and there are a ton of options down from there. PBR is full of rollers, berms, and jumps. Kessel Run is all about the flow, corners, and rollers. There are a ton of great options to check out.
Kokopelli Trails – this would be the next step in difficulty for the Valley’s trails and are located in Loma. These have a little steeper climbs and more rocky ledges. These trails are fun to group a few for long rides, or you can race each other on hot laps on Rustler’s Loop. Make sure to at least check out the world-famous Horsethief Drop-In. It isn’t for the faint of heart, so there is no shame in walking down it.
Tabegauche – this one is also called Lunch Loops and is located in Grand Junction. This trail system will be able to challenge most rider’s skill level and endurance with rocks, drops, and climbs. Ped-e-kis is the most common way up. From there, the network is your oyster. Pucker Up and Holy Cross are two of the most challenging options. There are mellower routes in the Three Sisters area, but still fun for all levels of riding.
Lodging – there are all sorts of great options to stay that can fit almost every budget while you’re in Fruita.
Hotels – there are two that are within walking distance of the downtown area (Balanced Rock Inn and the H Motel). If you’re looking for a place with a name you recognize, they are just south of the downtown area and include the La Quinta, and Comfort Inn & Suites.
Camping – 18 Road, Highline State Park, and James M Robb State Park are some of the areas where you can camp with some amenities (toilet, fire ring, picnic tables, etc.).
Rentals – If you’ve got a group joining you, a rental house might be a great option! There are a few scattered throughout Fruita with locations close to downtown. If this seems more your pace, visit Fruita Crash Pad and Fruita Vacation Rentals.
Eating & Drinking
Food – Pizza, Mexican, Burgers, we’ve got what you need to fuel up before and after your rides. Check out Camilla’s Kaffe for some big breakfast items or Bestslope Coffee and Aspen Street Coffee to grab a quick bite and coffee. For lunches and dinners grab a slice or more at Hot Tomato Pizza, burrito or taco at Mi Ranchito, or a burger at Munchies.
Beverages – Copper Club Brewing and Suds Brothers Brewery both craft their beer and are fantastic post-ride choices. If you’re looking for a margarita, try El Tapatio or Fiesta Guadalajara, and if you have your own beer and want a place to relax, join us on our patio, The Cooler.
Gear – we’ve got you covered no matter what you need! Call us today to reserve one of our rental bikes. We offer a 24-hour rental, so you return it exactly 24-hours from when you pick it up allowing you the most time to explore what the Grand Valley has to offer. If you need snacks, water bottles, helmets, shoes, or clothes – we can do that too! We keep many items and sizes stocked to make sure your vacation is as enjoyable as possible.
If you’ve got any questions, give us a call (970) 858-3917. Our team is always happy to help you pick the right bike or the right trail for whatever adventure you’ve got in store.
