Trails close to home

Riding out from the house can be the most satisfying feeling.  Some are super lucky to have a mountain trail right out the front or back door.  For some it’s a concrete jungle.  My situation leans more to the former.  The main mountain bike trail system West of Fort Collins is about 8 miles from the house.  Give or take about 40 minutes.  All of it along a bike path, except for the 200 meters to the path from the house.

Most folks would say that’s super awesome.  I agree.  I hope you have something like that.  You might if your city has done any bike planning, and more have.

While a lot of bike infrastructure is focused on bikes as transit, there is also a huge benefit of having greenway paths to go ride dirt.  Look at places like Bentonville, AR.  While not all of it can, or should be built out flow trails, Bentonville shows what can be done.

One of the hopes of the bike community in NOCO is that more of the trails can be connected between the town and the western foothills.  Some of this is already possible.  But there is the plan for a Southern trail around Horsetooth Reservoir that will make longer loops possible, right out of town. Once completed the trail would help bikers and runners avoid the busy road leading around Horsetooth.  The route might even promote more folks to hike up to the reservoir instead of drive.

For me, riding out of the house has some concerns, but no more than just getting out and riding on the trails.  There are a lot of ‘what-ifs’.  What if I get a flat?  What if I crash?  The same ones that you would have on the trail.  Having the same skills to fix the bike, and the backup plan if you can’t ride back is a must for both.  On the trek to the trail in town, getting back might be as easy as calling an Uber or Lyft.  Wish they had that option on the front country trails a few times.  

Making sure you have the tools, pump, and a spare tube gets rid of a lot of that worry.  Make sure the pump works.  I’ve had to walk five miles back on a bike path when I figured out mine was busted.  That experience left me being a little gun shy about riding to the trailhead.

Part of the fun is the extra miles. It’s a nice way to warm up or cool down there and back.  Bring more food and water.  Make a morning, afternoon, or even a day of it.  Make a picnic, cook warm food.  The idea is to explore and have an adventure.  Some days you just want a long ride and your phone seems to get lost in the bottom of your pack.