Activity Guide
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Biking
Road Riding || Mountain Biking || Cyclocross || Bike Clothing
Bike Rental Info || Where To Ride
Ski Haus
The Ski Haus bike department is built around our employees. The bikes we stock on our retail floor are a direct result of the riding styles our guys love.
Within our staff we have riders who push the limits of skill and speed on punishing downhill trails.
Their riding is a balancing act along the fine line of a successful run and a series of major disasters narrowly averted.
Ski Haus is staffed by riders who love challenging hill climbs as much as they love fast descents.
Crosscountry riders have big country in mind and even bigger mileage. When you're on an epic cross country ride expect lung debilitating climbs, technical descents, and probably, find yourself a long, long way from home. Use your energy wisely and make sure you have enough to complete the ride home.
Ski Haus also has riders who prefer more air time to trail time. These dirt jumping-freeride fanatics continue their winter halfpipe fun all summer by searching out jumps and
drops and their high flying skills are second to none.
Others find themselves on the road. Road bikes. The essence of human powered sustained speed. These lightweight machines accelerate like no other. The trick is to be smooth and strive for efficiency. Whether you are out for an hour lunchtime ride with a friend, or out to climb a couple passes with the peloton, the goal is the same... Have some fun, generate some power, and see amongst your riding partners who will start to push the pace first.
Now don't get the wrong idea. Not all the riding is hardcore all the time. Commuting to work is an easy way to log some miles while doing yourself, your checkbook, and the environment some good. Commuting is not work and it is not part of the work day but it sure makes the work day nicer.
And once the summer sun begins to set and the hot temperatures of the day begin to cool, it's a perfect time to launch the cruisers for an evening ride around town. No hands, riding a cruiser with a double-dip cone dripping down your fingers... Who said they have a problem with summer?
Stop by Ski Haus and take a look at all the bikes we have in stock. We have bikes that range from comfortable town cruisers to 700c touring bikes to full suspension mountain bikes that will smooth out the toughest trails of Colorado.
Ski Haus has an excellent full service repair shop and the best selection of biking accessories to make every ride memorable. Ride hard. Ride often. Ride on.
ONE LESS CAR
Where to road ride in and around Steamboat Springs:
Thinking about joining the brotherhood of commuters? You've seen them riding their bikes to work, the market, to school, everywhere.
For a long time, from behind your windshield, you have seen these bike riders starting their day with some fresh air, exercise, and dedication. You also noticed that these same commuters are the ones who show up to work with the best attitudes. Hummm. Interesting.
What do you need to get started on your daily commute? First, don't try to make it daily. Thinking of riding to work everyday can sound too tough. Start with a Tuesday and then ride again on Thursday. By the time next week rolls around you will be missing the morning ride and will want to ride Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The following week you might even want to ride all five days.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Pick a route. The same route that you drive to work may not be the best way to ride your bike. Find the bike paths (both paved and the hidden dirt trail gems).
- Use a Messenger Bag for your change of clothes, lunch, bike lock, etc. These bags are super comfortable to ride with.
- If your work doesn't offer a shower, bird bath it in the restroom. A small hand towel, deodorant, maybe some type of handiwipe is all you need.
- Fenders on your commuter rig might be nice but not required. For wet weather, use the same clothing you would wear day hiking in the rain. It all crosses over.
- You will find that your morning schedule stays about the same. Riding to work usually takes about the same amount of time as warming up the car, stopping at traffic lights, or trying to make a left turn downtown, etc.
- Always ride with your helmet strapped to your head.
The hardest thing about commuting on your bike is getting started. Once you get the action going it just gets easier and easier. Start your riding as soon as you can in the spring. Don't let a little wind, cold, and rain get in your way.
Good commuting habits are easy to keep, it's just a matter of developing them.
Where to road ride in Steamboat Springs:
Rabbit Ears Pass
Twenty Mile Road
Oak Creek Canyon
Yellow Jacket-Oak Creek Canyon Loop
County Road 129 to Clark
River Road to 131 to 40 and back to the 'Haus!
Highway 40 to Milner, Hayden, Craig, Maybell
Ski Haus to Lake Catamount
A Few of Our Favorite Mountain Bike Trails
Hot Springs Loop: An early season favorite because it's one of the first to dry out from the previous winter snows and it's easy to ride from town. The ride begins with an easy spin out Strawberry Park but climbs steeply up Copper Ridge. Pick up the single track once you pass the Hot Springs. (A big temptation is just to stop here and soak.) The trail is nice but some sections slope wildly towards the creek. Some good riding skills will keep you dry here. Descend the single track to RCR 129 and spin the pavement back to town. approx. 16 miles.
Mad Creek: Another great ride that is easy to ride from town In fact, where the Hot Springs trail hits RCR 129, the Mad Creek Trail is only up the road a bit so this is easy way lengthen your ride if you like. Start climbing from the get-go on the Swamp Park / Mad Creek Trail 1100. Continue past the Forest Service gate, past the Saddle Trail inersection, past the Mad Barn, and up to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Boundary. Return to trailhead via the same route. Several options exist here to lenghten your ride and to avoid hikers and horsepackers. 8 miles.
Mount Werner: Riding on the ski hill offers great single track, two track, and dirt road riding. Access is either by riding from the bottom or take the lifts up. Favorite trails are Zig Zag, Creekside,Valley View, and Pete's Wicked Trail. Helmets are required.
A few important links for you to follow:
www.routtcountyriders.org
(local grass-roots organization that promotes all types of bike riding)
http://bicyclecolo.org/site/intro.cfm
Looking for a few rides in the Steamboat Springs area? Check out Steamboat Single Tracks. It's the definitive guide for mountain biking in our area. $10.95
