Early Season Cycling in the Yampa Valley
The sun is shining, the mercury is on the rise – and you’ve got a hankering for some pedal strokes. It’s a great time of year to bring your bike out on the expanse of Routt County gravel roads. Whether you’re riding for the pure enjoyment of breathing fresh air, or whipping yourself into pre-season riding shape, the Yampa Valley has room to explore. Routt County Riders recently caught up with several local gravel riders for their ‘hot takes’ on spring riding in the Valley – read on for tips, tricks and favorite routes from these fellas!
RCR: What’s so great about road + gravel riding in Routt County in spring time?
David High (DH): Springtime gravel riding can be a great way to prepare your body for some desert mountain biking trips! Jumping on the mountain bike with some spring miles already under your belt can make for a much more enjoyable transition. Slow, steady rides are the best way to ease into it.
Paul Matheny (PM): Gravel roads have fewer cars, slower speeds of travel, and more varied scenery than what you’d find on paved routes. There are more opportunities to view wildlife and agricultural operations from the ‘back roads’.
Jared Hayden (JH): It’s a magical time of year – you can ‘harvest corn’ on skis in the morning and spin the legs out by bike in the afternoon. The juxtaposition of dry valley roads and snow-covered peaks creates a picturesque backdrop for building bike fitness, whether that’s for an upcoming race, or to feel confident charging up Morning Gloria when it opens. Early season road riding is the best way to enjoy being on two wheels until the singletrack dries out.
RCR: What are your ‘go-to’ gravel rides around town?
DH: An Emerald Loop (roughly 28 miles) or the Airport Loop (22 miles) are very popular. There are tons of variations for going longer. If I’m looking to maximize my time, I’ll do some hills around town by gravel and pavement combined. I might do a variation of Burgess Creek, Fish Creek Falls, Buff Bass and Hot Springs to stay close to town.
JH: The best spring gravel is typically found by staying in the valleys. Buff Pass Road to Dry Lake is also a great early season ride if you want to focus on sustained climbing. The gravel map only expands as the area dries out into summer.
RCR: Any tips + tricks for assessing road conditions prior to planning a ride? What might be some times to avoid a county road ride?
PM: The Routt County Road and Bridge Department website provides updated information on road work and dust abatement. Definitely avoid gravel routes during the application of mag chloride (dust buster) – usually this takes place in May and June. You’ll only make this mistake once! Treatments are typically scheduled on the County website.
JH: Keeping past precipitation and the current weather forecast in mind is key for route planning. I’d give it a couple days before getting on gravel after a significant rain. When there is rain in the forecast, I pack a light shell, warmer gloves, and try to stay closer to town. Not all gravel roads are created equal, and some dry out well before others.
DH: Kelly Boniface once described riding in colder weather as “taking a load of laundry for a ride”. You can never be over-prepared! Dressing for a spring ride can be tricky. An individual may be standing in their driveway, where it feels like it’s 70 degrees. But there’s typically a breeze coming off the snow and those temperatures will be dramatically lower out on a ride than what your weather app may say. I’ll always carry a buff, as it’s small, and great gear to avoid getting too cold.
RCR – How might someone get into road and gravel riding for the first time around here?
JH: I would recommend renting a bike from one of the many shops in town and trying one of the area’s classic routes. 20 Mile Rd is a great intro ride for pavement and Airport Loop for gravel. I prefer a gravel-specific bike because it gives you more mixed-surface versatility. My favorite local resource to get you out on Routt County roads is Ride Workshop, located on Yampa Street, offering everything from basic rentals to fully supported gravel experiences.
DH: You might also start by riding your mountain bike on some of the back roads and see if you like the environment. When the time comes to purchase a gravel bike, definitely test ride and buy local. You will find that local shops offer a great price and there is REAL value with the knowledge you can’t get online. Have fun out there!
Content and photos contributed by Routt County Riders
