Latest mountain bike news

Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Finding the perfect loop
Sep 19, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
New trails coming to Philpott Lake, VA: You can help!
Sep 18, 2007
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Convert your Garmin Edge cycling data here!
Sep 17, 2007
  1
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain bike trail difficulty ratings
Sep 14, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Economic impact of mountain biking
Sep 13, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
This bike could be a bait bike
Sep 12, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
How's your bike handling?
Sep 11, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Tara Llanes needs your help!
Sep 10, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
MTB Race Through a Brewpub!
Sep 6, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Summer isn't over yet: Women's MTB Clinics and New Trails
Sep 5, 2007
Mountain Bike Trails
Bull Mountain and Jones Creek Ridge
Sep 4, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Interbike 2007: I'm there
Aug 31, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Bad mountain bike crash at Nisene Marks
Aug 30, 2007
Culture
GPS helps save injured mountain biker
Aug 29, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
To catch a bike thief
Aug 28, 2007
A rocky landscape featuring a smooth granite surface with patches of green vegetation around the edges. In the foreground, a large log is positioned on the rock, and a faint path winds across the terrain leading into the background, where lush trees are visible. Overcast skies create a soft, muted light in the scene.
Mountain Bike Trails
Georgia International Horse Park: Site of 1996 Olympics MTB
Aug 27, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Epic trail construction: Israel
Aug 24, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
MTB News Round Up: August 23, 2007
Aug 23, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Too good to be true: Free lift-serviced downhill!
Aug 22, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
What makes a mountain bike trail difficult?
Aug 21, 2007
  3
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Yellow River and missing socks
Aug 20, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
New MTB trails could be coming to your area: Speak up!
Aug 17, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
MTB gear evolution with Lennard Zinn
Aug 16, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Mountain bike deaths
Aug 15, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Landis takes 2nd at Leadville
Aug 14, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Armstrong flakes on Leadville (again)
Aug 9, 2007
  1
Culture
When biking, heat stroke is no joke
Aug 8, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Mountain Bike News
Aug 7, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Community
Mountain Bike Oregon
Jul 31, 2007
  4
Culture
Share the Trail: With Motorcycles?
Jul 30, 2007
  1
Culture
Gary Fisher: Founding Father of Mountain Bikes
Jul 26, 2007
Community
First Ever Colorado Trail Race
Jul 25, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Dangers of Mountain Biking in Canada
Jul 24, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
MTB News Round Up
Jul 23, 2007
A group of cyclists racing along a roadside, with onlookers in the background taking photos. The cyclists are wearing colorful racing jerseys and helmets, and there are cars parked alongside the road. The backdrop features a rocky hillside and trees.
Community
Armstrong vs. Landis at Leadville: On again?
Jul 20, 2007
  1
Community
O&P Extremity Games Start Today
Jul 19, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Want to guide a MTB tour of France? Not unless you're French
Jul 18, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Community
Team IMBA: 24 Hours of Moab
Jul 16, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Expanding our mountain bike reviews
Jul 13, 2007
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
New look, same great taste
Jul 12, 2007
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Are you old school too?
Jul 11, 2007
  1
Mountain Bike Trails
Favorite Mountain Bike Rides in Colorado
Jul 10, 2007
  2
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Community
World Mountain Biking Bog Snorkelling Championship
Jul 9, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Culture
Wipe off that water bottle: 200 mountain bikers vomit
Jul 6, 2007
  2
A narrow dirt path surrounded by lush green trees, leading through a wooded area. The sunlight filters through the foliage, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Mountain Bike Trails
What makes a trail a trail? Part II.
Jul 5, 2007
  4
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Continental Divide Trail at risk
Jul 4, 2007
  2
A narrow dirt path winding through a lush green forest, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. The ground is covered with fallen leaves and small rocks, creating a natural, serene atmosphere.
Culture
FATS is PHAT!
Jul 3, 2007
  1
Hannah Nordhaus wrote <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_recreation/article/0,2777,DRMN_23950_5700563,00.html">an article</a> for the Rocky Mountain News website a couple days ago about the new paved bike loop in Leadville, CO where she waxed poetically about the virtues of loop trails. I've been obsessed with loops almost since I began mountain biking and I think it's for many of the reasons Hannah mentions. Mountain bike trail networks are unsatisfying to me because you can almost never ride every inch of trail without doing some planning and/or backtracking. Multiple loops are okay in my mind since it's a bit easier to string them together but networks with cut-throughs and spider-web patterns just aren't as fun for some reason. And forget about trying to map a network trail - it's tough no matter how you choose to attack it. Ditto for out-and-back trails, though the Rocky Mountain News article already covers the reasons these trails don't satisfy. Why backtrack when you can see new stuff? Lollipop loops are often necessary and I guess these don't bother me as long as the "stick" isn't too long. The stick is just an annoying out and back section so it's not surprising that lollipops aren't as fun as loops. Figure 8 trails are pretty cool but I'm always a little disappointed when I get to the intersection of the two loops since I know I'll be eventually be back. In this case two loops aren't better than one. One way to make loop trails EVEN BETTER is to alternate travel from day to day. That way riders can experience the trail from both directions without having to worry about encountering oncoming traffic. There's just something about the sense of accomplishment you get from riding a mountain bike trail loop that other trail configurations can't match. Trail builders take note!
Mountain Bike Trails
Top 100 MTB Trails in the World
Jun 29, 2007
  1