Mountain - Plains - A question for Denver riders

If you live in the city and own a mountain bike, do you get use out of it without hauling it on a car? I live near Washington Park and rely entirely on my road bikes and public transportation.

I don't have personal experience to share, but RTD can get you close to Green Mountain, Matthew Winters and Apex Parks, and the hogback trail. See route 17.

Some folks prefer a mtn bike on the Highline Canal, although certainly not challenging in any sense of the word, and totally travelable by hybrid or road bike.

Lee Gulch Trail in Littleton provdes a slight challenge Available off of the Platte River Trail/Mary Carter Greenway. Also, the Big Dry Creek along Dry Creek Road and the Little Dry Creek. The Willow Creek Trail through northern Douglas County - right off the C470 trail at Park Meadows.

There are trails on the west side of Chatfield west of the ponds that you need a mtn bike for, and, when it reopens, hopefully, Waterton Canyon. Both are easily accessible by bake path from Wash Park, if desired.

You can ride through Parker and use the Hidden Mesa trail, 7 miles of more challenging mtn bike only trail.

At the east end of the Sulphir Gulch Trail in Parker are 4 miles of mild mtn bike trail.

But, let's face it - most of Denver Metro is pretty flat.

All of the above can be reached from Wash Park by bicycle.

Thanks for your suggestions DnverFox. I have a steel road bike, (Rivendell / Heron) and a bullet proof commuter, (Breezer Uptown 8). I ride about 100 miles a week year round and I'm having more fun now than I did 40 years ago. I'm interested in adding to the stable only if it's a bike I will actually use, not just something that hangs in the garage.

Thanks for your suggestions DnverFox. I have a steel road bike, (Rivendell / Heron) and a bullet proof commuter, (Breezer Uptown 8). I ride about 100 miles a week year round and I'm having more fun now than I did 40 years ago. I'm interested in adding to the stable only if it's a bike I will actually use, not just something that hangs in the garage.

Denver has a ton of mtb destinations on the western edge but not much if anything within reasonable riding distance of wash park. One thing I used to do on occasion was ride the singletrack by Cherry Creek which you can pick up around Cherry St. and follow all the way past Havana. Thorns are a serious issue down there though. The trail has some surprisingly fun sections -- at least it did. I noticed recently that construction and/or flooding has wiped some of it out. But that's certainly not worth buying a mountain bike for. Mountain biking is a disturbingly fossil-fueled activity when it comes down to it.

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There are trails on the west side of Chatfield west of the ponds that you need a mtn bike for, and, when it reopens, hopefully, Waterton Canyon. Both are easily accessible by bake path from Wash Park, if desired.


"Easily accessible?" You're a tougher man than me. That's a long ride from Wash Park, just to get down there, especially on a mountain bike. Then you want to do Waterton and ride back? That's a serious training ride. 60-70 miles?

I only ride my non suspension mtn bike in the winter cause it weighs three times as much as the roadie,uses more energy,cause rides in winter are fewer and shorter..
Bud

"Easily accessible?" You're a tougher man than me. That's a long ride from Wash Park, just to get down there, especially on a mountain bike. Then you want to do Waterton and ride back? That's a serious training ride. 60-70 miles?

Yep!!

the only reason to do waterton, is to take your fly gear, and the fishing, up near the dam, is really good,but only go there in the summer....
Bud

In the end I just couldn't justify driving in order to ride. I bought a new light road bike instead.

the only reason to do waterton, is to take your fly gear, and the fishing, up near the dam, is really good,but only go there in the summer....
Bud

Some folks consider the dirt trail and switchbacks leaving from Strontia Springs Dam to be a reasonably difficult mtn bike challenge. Perhaps it is easy for you?

Some folks consider the dirt trail and switchbacks leaving from Strontia Springs Dam to be a reasonably difficult mtn bike challenge. Perhaps it is easy for you?
don'tknow about that one,I dont do heavy duty mtn bike stuff,the thing up Waterton is as easy as wash park
Bud