By Neill Pieper

As the snow melts in the high country, mountain bikers around the state eagerly anticipate one of Colorado’s best ways to meet their adrenaline needs. From solitary desert slick rock to alpine “flowy” ups and downs, Colorado has it all.

Lyons

The original home of the enthusiastically outdoor-oriented brewery Oskar Blues, Lyons is a perfect place to begin a Colorado biking journey. With some of the best single-track mountain biking along the Front Range, the small town of Lyons has trails for all skill levels.

Beginners can start out at Rabbit Mountain east of town. Short beginner-intermediate trails in the Rabbit Mountain area are framed by snowcapped peaks in the background and picturesque views of rolling hills and wildflowers. More experienced riders will find Hall Ranch to be one of the more diverse and exciting trail networks in the state. Hall Ranch highlights are the challenging rock garden along Bitterbrush trail and the silky smooth Nelson loop with great views of Longs Peak. End your day with a cold brew down at Oskar Blues and share stories with locals about your day on the trail.

Fruita

Fruita mountain biking is characterized by epic Utah-esqe landscapes and playful ups and downs, leaving riders grinning ear-to-ear throughout the day. Fruita’s two prime areas, 18 Road and Kokopelli loops, provide challenging and adrenaline filled rides that push even the best bikers. Camp at the 18 Road (also known as Bookcliffs) Bureau of Land Management campsites for easy access to the goods. The 18 Road features smooth-rolling laps whereas Kokopelli has breathtaking views and technical rock and ledge riding. Looking for a challenge? Try the Horsethief Bench loop. Flow past sandstone formations and commanding views of the mighty Colorado River in this 3.9-mile stunner. After a hot day of riding, roll into Fruita for an 18 Road IPA at Copper Club Brewing Co. With old bike parts as taps, you couldn’t feel more at home with brews and blues after a dusty day in the desert.

Crested Butte

Pull into Crested Butte in the summer and you’ll see immediately why this town is a mountain biking mecca. You may see more bikes than cars tooling around the city streets. More than 500 miles of trails are found in the area, with unbelievable views of the Elk Range, alpine lakes and wildflower-filled glades. Classic rides 401, Lupine and Teocalli Ridge are some of the must-hits in the area. Crested Butte’s ski area provides lift access mountain biking starting in June. With a great balance of trails, beginners and experts alike can access close to 30 trails on the mountain. Stop in town at Montanya Distillers for one of the rum cocktails that the small but mighty shop continues to produce.

Durango

The southwest is calling, but don’t forget your bike. With proximity to alpine steeps, forested mesas and solitary desert, the Durango area offers just about every kind of terrain you could want when it comes to mountain biking.

If alpine biking is more your style, check out Durango’s northern options. The Colorado Trail descends toward Durango and is one of the most picturesque, wild and advanced sections of the trail. On the other side of the valley, the Missionary Ridge trail parallels highway 550 and heads north through an old burn area. Great views of the San Juan’s and Florida River valley can be seen from the ridge. For a more desert-like option, head west toward Cortez and find Phil’s World. Straddle your saddle and experience 60 miles of dips, ledges and slick-rock encrusted trails.

Snowmass

At Snowmass Bike Park, no granny gear is required. A lift-served downhill is perfect for any skill level. New riders can test their mettle at the skills park and graduate to the gentle rollers of Verde Trail. With 2,897 feet of vertical, you can experience summer in Snowmass like you would on skis in the winter. Shred through aspen trees, cut across ski runs and rip down into Snowmass on two wheels. If the bike park’s runs aren’t enough, 50 miles of classic cross-country trails are accessible from the top of the gondola. While in the Roaring Fork valley, stop in at Aspen Brewing Co. or grab one of their sixers for the trail. Light, crisp and tart, Aspen Brewing’s Silver City Ale is a great refreshment following some hours of pedaling.

Neill Pieper uses his considerable thirst for the craft beer scene to provide editorial, marketing and online production at Thirst Colorado.