Snowmass named one of “The 7 Most Epic, Secret Mountain Bike Trails in America” by Men’s Journal

September 20, 2018Public AnnouncementsButch Peterson

Mountain towns make some of the best trails, and this village near Aspen, CO, is no exception. There are over 80 miles Opens a New Window. of downhill, cross-country, and singletrack trails; nearly 4,500 vertical feet to play with; and manmade obstacles like jumps, wooden features, and drops to master. Snowmass Bike Park Opens a New Window. also has chair lifts that offer direct access to it all, and pro instructors are available for anyone who needs an intro or refresher course. Newbies can sign up for the three-hour Park Ready Downhill Bike Clinic Opens a New Window. ($50; rental and lift access sold separately) to learn the ABCs of the sport—Active Stance, Braking, and Cornering—on the skills park before going up to the real fun stuff. Otherwise, popular routes include the Snowmass Loop Opens a New Window. , which contains 28 miles and 4,408 feet of vertical singletrack over 10 different trails. Locals also gravitate toward the 3.7-mile Tom Blake Opens a New Window. singletrack for its smooth (and fast) ride through the Aspen groves.

Read the rest of the story at Men’s Journal

2018 WEDU Aspen 50 Results

September 18, 2018Public Announcementsrfmba

Local racers dominated the 2018 WEDU Aspen FIFTY race held Saturday, September 15th.

Aspen’s John Gaston, also known for holding the most Highland Bowl ski laps in a day – 11, won the race in 3 hours, 20 minutes. Dean Hill scored second place in 3:34. Greg Strokes third in 3:36. Mark Johnson, riding a single-speed rigid fork mountain bike, took fourth at 3:42 and RFMBA Trail Agent Race Team member Butch Peterson rounded out the top five by nipping Steamboat’s Zack Dolzani in a sprint finish.

Aspen local Elsa Lapeze won the women’s division in 5:04 ahead of second place Roxanne Hall at 5:21. Tess Strokes was third 5:46; Carroline Torry fourth at 5:46.

Continue reading 2018 WEDU Aspen 50 Results →

Now Open: New Dinkle Link Trail in Prince Creek

August 28, 2018Public Announcements, Trail InformationButch Peterson

This is an easier blue trail that can be ridden as a short out-and-back, or the start of a mostly downhill shuttle ride.

: Winter seasonal closure from December 1 through April 15.

Description

Named for it’s utility in connecting the Prince Creek trail network towards Dinkle Lake and the Hay Park trail, the trail connects Next Jen to the Divide Parking Lot Trailhead located at the top of Prince Creek Rd. and West Sopris Creek Rd. The trail continues to the southwest of this parking lot trailhead to connect more directly to Dinkle Lake Rd.

The trail is mostly an easy climb when connecting towards Next Jen from the Divide parking area. You’ll encounter sage fields, oak tree groves, and some shale bluffs along the way. The best feature of this trail might be the prominent views of Mount Sopris.

Some riders might arrange a shuttle from this relatively high location, heading up the trail to Next Jen, then descending towards Creek Side or climbing more to enjoy a descent of Skull Bucket Trail before continuing to Skill Saw (Lower Creek Side) and Monte Carlo and the lower Prince Creek area trails.

If you’re looking for a big climb while limiting time on roads, start down on Prince Creek Trail, continue up Monte Carlo, Skill Saw (Lower Creek Side) Creek Side, and Next Jen, use this trail to connect to Dinkle Lake Rd. and continue to a high point at the big view meadows of Hay Park trail before retracing your route back down.

The Big Unknown: When Will Basalt Mountain Trails Re-open?

August 28, 2018Public AnnouncementsButch Peterson

Standing, dead trees send safety risk soaring on Basalt Mountain routes, closures in place.

The fire drastically affected the Mill Creek Trail, a short but popular route, and the longer Cattle Creek Loop as well as Basalt Mountain Road. Dead, charred trees line portions of the road and almost all of the Mill Creek Trail. In some cases, trees with 18-inch wide trunks burned from the inside, leaving charred, hollow shells standing. Those standing dead trees, called snags, line the trails and road in the hundreds. They are prone to fall at any time, especially in breezy or windy conditions.

Read the full story in the Aspen Times

WEDU Aspen Fifty Needs Volunteers Saturday, September 15

August 22, 2018Public AnnouncementsButch Peterson

Want to get in on all the action at the Aspen 50 but don’t want to race? Then we’ve got good news for you!

The 50 mile course is the same as last year’s course. In addition, we are offering a shorter 50K course this year. The volunteer jobs are similar, but we will have a few more stations to fill.

The race begins again at the base of Buttermilk at 9:00am, ending mid-to late afternoon at the same location. (Full course details can be found on the website http://www.rfmba.org/event/aspen-fifty-2018/.) We will need people to staff aid stations, ride course sweep (both cleanup and medical), provide course marshaling, etc.

Last year’s event ended up being the biggest one-day fundraiser of the year for RFMBA, benefiting mountain biking throughout the valley.

Volunteers will receive a sweet t-shirt plus entry into the post-race party!

If you want to get involved, please contact Lindsay Gorman at lindsaycgorman@gmail.com.

The WEDU Aspen Fifty event benefits the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association and mountain bike trails in the Roaring Fork Valley. Please help us out with this great event and lend a hand to help RFMBA and to have a great time. So mark your calendars for Saturday , September 15 and send a note to Lindsay Gorman at lindsaycgorman@gmail.com, or give a call at 847-772-4232.

If you want to race you need to get on board now!

What’s it all about?

The ASPEN FIFTY mountain bike race benefiting RFMBA is coming back for year two on Sunday, September 17. Last year’s WEDU was more of a ride, but this year it’s a bonafide race. Registration is now open and RFMBA wants locals to get in before the 200 slots are filled.

This year, Roaring Fork Valley residents can get 25% off their registration fee (use promo code RFMBA at checkout).

The race will feature classic trails such as Smuggler, Reverse Rim and Government Trail as well as the newer climbs like Hummingbird and Seven Star.

The great news for those of us who live in the valley is that a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association.

The WEDU team will host a post race party afterwards. So come out and join Aspen local Lance Armstrong and other cyclists on this massive cycling romp in the upper Roaring Fork.

https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7023587

If you live here in the valley and want to do this race, RFMBA wants you to get in. Sign up now to make sure you get a spot.

SIGN UP TO RACE THE ASPEN FIFTY HERE