How is the MTBing in Breckenridge, CO right now (mid-october)?

October 8, 2006 3:43 PM

We're headed to Breckenridge later this week and not sure if i want to pack the mountain bikes. Any locals or others with experience have any two cents to add? If it's no problem, suggest any trails that aren't too technical or too much climbing as we're just two currently-mostly-out-of-shape flat-landers here. Or would it be better to pack the road bike? Decisions.....
posted by joshgray to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

Not a local, but I spent some time mountain biking in Breckenridge a few years back. There are lots of places to ride. You can go straight up the ski slopes on switchbacked double-track or meander around in the valley on flatter trails. Most everything I rode on was significantly up-and-down, though. If that sounds like it'd be problematic for you, maybe consider riding the road bike instead?

My suggestion would be to pack mountain bikes and a set of slick tires for them as well, so you have the ability to stick to the roads if the trails are too steep for you.
posted by killdevil at 5:28 PM on October 8, 2006

Depends how much you want to mtn bike. The trails up high are a bit snowy, but there's still riding down low (around Lake Dillon for example). As we speak, the flakes may be falling and changing things.

You can ride the Peninsula trails without much climbing and not technical. Same with the Horseshoe Gulch area (I think it's called. Near the Colorado Trail/Dredgeboat trailhead). CO Trail up high will be snowy.

Unless you're going to do some huge miles, you might just bring the MTB's. You can always ride the bike path on those, just a little less efficient. If you feel like going through some dirt, it's still an option...

Check the weather/webcams before you make the final decision.
posted by powpow at 6:18 PM on October 8, 2006

Response by poster: Hey thanks for the tips, powwow, that sounds great.

We do have experience and at one time have been in shape - just don't want to get tangled up miles away from a trail head in elevation lol...
posted by joshgray at 6:28 PM on October 8, 2006

If you do decide to pack the roadbikes...the bike path connecting Breckenridge and Silverthorne is some seriously beautiful riding.

Have fun.
posted by felix betachat at 11:14 PM on October 8, 2006

We're expecting snow over the next few days.. so be prepared for snow or 'snow-like' slush.

Also, if you haven't experienced the altitude change before, altitude sickness is a fairly serious deal. For those not in shape or acclimated, it can be bad to overexert yourself right off the bat in the high country. If you do decide to do it, drink lots of fluids and take it easy.

That being said, even doing some hiking may be a good idea. There is plenty of great opportunity for taking a nice walk in that neck of the woods, and this time of year you will catch the last of the trees changing their colors.
posted by jazzkat11 at 6:20 PM on October 9, 2006