I can smell it in the air, and feel the chill in the mornings. Winter is coming…I am starting to dream about those fluffy white flakes coming down…I have replaced longing thoughts for a new bike with the desire for new boots, skis, snowboards, etc. But it’s not over yet! Amazing fall riding is right outside my door. The mudroom has been torn apart and the arm and knee warmers have been found. I’m so ready.
Fall riding is an amazing gift. In a place where summer is fleeting, the fall seems to last longer than expected (most years) – and be sweeter than imagined. What makes it so great? The obvious answer is the trees, so golden and beautiful. And yet fall riding is so much more than that. After a summer of riding, we are all finally feeling fit – climbing to the top of a mountain is no longer a big chore. The trails we waited to melt out and be clear of downed trees are now riding perfectly. The temperatures are cool and lovely. As the leaves start to fall, it’s like following the yellow brick road. We’re free of our children – they’re back in school. The majority of tourist crowds have died down for the season. It is perfection.
Where do I like to ride in the fall? Any of our trails that lead you through large stands of aspen, which is almost all of them. As the name implies, Flash of Gold is as beautiful as it gets. Higher in elevation than town, it stays cool as you wind your way forever through golden aspens with occasional views of the entire valley. Another personal favorite in the fall is Pioneer to Sunshine at the ski area. It’s nice to be up on the resort and feel the change coming, knowing your next trip through that golden aspen forest might be all white. Emerald Mountain has some beautiful color and tends to be warmer for those who still want to believe it’s summer. Watch out, just because it’s slightly lower in elevation, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the driest after the fall storms set in – that Emerald dirt can hold some serious water. Don’t forget that getting out on a gravel bike (or road bike) is just as nice in fall for all the same reasons. You can’t go wrong with a Schoolhouse or Airport Loop.
As you prep your pack for the next fall ride, remember your headlamp – nightfall will surprise you after a season of lengthy sunsets, and being benighted in the backcountry without a light is a less-than-pleasurable experience. Pack an extra layer (preferably one that would also protect you in an impromptu autumnal squall) for the creeping cold, and remember that bright colors will serve you well to alert hunters of your human-ness – hunting season is in full swing! Orange is preferred, but any and all neon is also recommended. And don’t forget to join Routt County Riders as a member – October is our annual Fall Membership Drive and there is a sweet prize pool at stake. We are your local cycling advocacy organization and are working hard to keep Routt riding!
Anywhere you choose to ride in the fall, you won’t be sorry, as beautiful color awaits you at every turn. Get out there! Before you know it, the snow will be flying.
Written by Jessica Lobeck, Routt County Riders Board of Directors
