I took my first trip to Crested Butte in 2011 to experience for myself what was referred to as the ‘Holy Grail’ of mountain biking.

After many failed attempts to plan a weekend road trip with my riding buds I decided to make a solo mission. At the time, I was fairly new to Colorado and mountain biking, and I was eager to check out what I had been reading about. The history of mountain biking in Crested Butte drew me in and it became my most sought after destination. After 3 huge days of riding incredible singletrack I was hooked. The mountains, the rivers, the town – crested butte checked all the boxes for an epic mountain biking experience.

Many moons and bike upgrades later I find myself even more stoked to visit Crested Butte, which has turned into multiple trips throughout the season. I’ve ridden all the most iconic trails, raced a Big Mountain Enduro, taken countless park laps at Evolution Bike Park, and had my fair share of Secret Stash, Teocalli Tamale and Camp 4 Coffee. I guess you say CB is my preferred mountain bike destination away from home.

Colorowdies President – Tony Bentley    Photo: Re Wikstrom

My affinity for Crested Butte is only more apparent as the Colorowdies announce our partnership with MTBhome.com, “The Home of Mountain Biking.” Our mission for giving back to the Colorado mountain bike community is strengthened by our core values of connection, progression and stewardship. Our partnership with MTB Home aligns perfectly with why our group exists. At our core we spread the stoke for Colorado mountain biking by sharing our stories and experiences on bikes.MTBhome.com does just that – spreads the stoke for their historic mountain biking region.

With over 750 miles spread amongst 150+ trails it’s no wonder why we call Gunnison and Crested Butte the home of mountain biking.

MTB Home is an extension of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association. You can find a plethora of information on their website mtbhome.com for your visit to Gunnison County. The interactive map shows more trails than any other source. You can also find information to help plan your trip with itineraries, lodging, bike shops, guiding services, rentals, suggested rides and much more. With over 750 miles spread amongst 150+ trails it’s no wonder why we call Gunnison and Crested Butte the home of mountain biking. MTB history runs deep Crested Butte with oldest mountain bike club in the world, CBMBA, founded in 1983 and the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum.

The Colorowdies will be sharing photos, stories, and events related to the Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte. Additionally, we will be hosting our next Mountain Bike Mission Trip in Crested Butte  August 10 – 12 with a weekend of camping, guided rides, bike park laps and volunteer trail work with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA). We’ll also be providing our attendees with breakfast, lunch, snacks, Hotbox Roasters Coffee, Oskar Blues beer, a t-shirt, schwag and more MTB stoke than you can imagine. Event details will be posted to our website colorowdies.com and Eventbrite soon.

In the meantime, we invite you to download the CBGTrails app with TrailQuest from the App Store for iPhone or Play Store for Android. CBGTrails is the only complete map of the Gunnison Valley. It’s open-source mapping ensures quick updates and real time trail reporting and observations are included. The app also includes the game Trailquest, a challenge to complete all 750+ miles of singletrack in the valley. Check out the interactive map, record your rides, join contests and you’ll be entered to win prizes! Who will be first the first to complete 750+ miles of pristine rocky mountain single track?

Here’s how to get started:
1. Download CBGTrails in your phone’s app store.
2. Sign up for TrailQuest
3. Connect your Strava account (download Strava too if you don’t already have it)
4. Record your rides in Strava and they’ll automatically upload to TrailQuest.

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Visit Crested Butte

If you love the outdoors, lush green meadow, towering mountains, massive aspen groves, and an overflowing abundance of wild flowers; this is your heaven on earth. Take that scene and add flowing on rugged singletrack and you have a mountain biker’s paradise.

Crested Butte Pro Tips

1. Plan for weather. The weather in Crested Butte can be interesting. You’ll want summer clothes, warm clothes, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, puffy jacket, extra socks, and plenty of snacks and hydration.
2. Know where you’re going. Check the newly released versions of the CBGTrails app complete with TrailQuest. The map app in the app store for your device. Record your rides on TrailQuest and tag your Instagram posts with #onegoodride. TrailQuest will also link with Strava. You also find a good bit of info on Trail Forks and MTB Project.
3. Plan ahead for camping and lodging. Camping and lodging can be challenging. If you’re camping be sure to research the area planning to stay at. Know where you can and can’t camp. There are paid/reserved sites available and multiple location for free dispersed camping. If you are coming for the weekend without a reservation you’ll want to arrive early to secure your spot. Respect the non-camping areas and pay attention to fire bans. We’ve enjoyed camping at Oh be joyful, Irwin Lake and Cement Creek. You can also find amazing Airbnbs throughout the valley or great hotels at Mount Crested Butte or Gunnison if you’re planning on a Hartman Rocks or Monarch Crest mission if sleeping in a bed is more your style. Downtown Crested Butte has a few small inns and b&bs. They’re great, but book up really early for summer weekends.
4. Vist CB anytime of the year! We’ve enjoyed visiting during Bike Week in June, Wildflower Fest in July, Outerbike in August or Vintok in September. The Burning of the Grump is something you must experience for yourself. Hartman Rocks offers 40+ miles in a desert singletrack system that ranges from flow to tech, extends the Gunnison Valley riding season from April through November in most years, and pretty much never gets hotter than 90 degrees so you can still ride there even in July. Wildflowers are best this year in June and early July. Fall riding should pop off the first couple weeks of September.
5. Come to town! There are many great shops, local art, photography, history and culture that make Crested Butte the unique town it is. Take note of the amazing artwork and sculpture all over town.

Some of our favorite trails to ride:

• Teocalli Ridge
• Doctor Park
• Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadman’s Gulch
• Captain Jack
• Baxter Gulch/Carbon/Green Lake
• Hartman Rocks

Some of our favorite places in Crested Butte:

• Camp 4 Coffee – coffee  
• Paradise Cafe – breakfast
• Izzy’s – breakfast
• Teocalli Tamale – lunch
• The Sunflower – lunch or dinner (brunch on weekends)
• The Brick Oven – pizza and beer
• Bonez – mexican and margaritas
• Montoya – rum cocktails and small plates
• Third Bowl – ice cream
• Big Al’s – bike shop
• The Alpineer – bike shop
• Townie Books – books and coffee (pick up a copy of Fat-Tire Flyer by Charlie Kelly)  
• Mabuhay Limited – art and jewelry
• Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum– former home of the mountain bike hall of fame and a great exhibit on the history of mountain biking and the Pearl Pass Tour– also neat stuff from the mining days and home of the former world record elk

If you don’t already, please give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Also link up with MTB Home @mtbhome and CBMBA @cbmtnbike or visit them online:

https://mtbhome.com/
https://crestedbuttemountainbike.com/

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As always HUGE thank you to our Sponsors and Supporters! PDC Energy, Team Evergreen, MTB Home, Golden Bike Shop, Oskar Blues, Honey Stinger, Peppod, Ergon, Industry Nine, Smith Optics, Dakine, Miles Racing and Dirt Labs.