Plan That Spring Ride Trip Today
Whether it’s spinning through farmland gravel roads, riding plank bridges in a secluded forest, or climbing switchbacks atop a snow-capped mountain, we get an amazing sense of freedom. Our stresses are left behind as we barrel down the road or trail with laser focus, surrounded by the beauty of nature. And in America, we are fortunate to have some of the most magnificent mountain bike rides in the world right at our fingertips. So as the warm weather nears, we put together a list of our top five mountain bike destinations in America to help you start planning your next ride destination. #becausebikes
Top 5 Spring-Time Mountain Bike Rides
Black Canyon Trail, Arizona
Black Canyon Trail, Arizona, Photo Credit: BikePacking.com
Why Ride: The Black Canyon Trail (BCT) is a blueprint for the future of long-distance trails. That’s why in 2008, it was designated as a National Recreation Trail, a classification only reserved for the very best trails in the country. This world-class trail system tucked in the Bradshaw Mountain foothills in central Arizona offers an 80 mile, perfectly built singletrack. As you roll downhill following short climbs and quick turns, you will be captivated by incredible mountain views and a spectacular swath of the Sonoran Desert.
Ride Notes: BCT’s landscape is covered by saguaro forests and rugged canyons. And lucky for you, this backcountry feeling trail has remained almost undiscovered. The first few miles are relatively flat. Once you hit the six-mile mark, an awesome flowing singletrack begins all the way to Bumble Bee. No brakes or pedals required! From there to the Table Mesa trailhead, you can expect breathtaking views and the most thrilling ride of the whole route.
Distance: 77.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,897 feet
Start From: Prescott
Ends At: Carefree Highway
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Porcupine Rim Trail, Utah
Porcupine Rim Trail, Utah, Photo Credit: Freeride Magazine
Why Ride: This world famous trail should be a must on any good mountain biker’s bucket list. It’s a 15-mile singletrack in Moab, and it requires some serious technical skills. This route will have you hugging the edge of the jagged cliffs of Castle Valley and holding on for dear life as you descend into Jackass Canyon where you’ll have a radical ride along the Colorado River.
Ride Notes: If you are an advanced mountain biker, Porcupine Rim Trail is a must ride. From the moment you begin a treacherous climb, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views and roller coaster descents. One thing to note is that this is one of the most popular riding destinations in the world, so be ready to make a lot of riding friends along the way. We have to reiterate this again, this trail isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re a beginner or intermediate mountain biker, consider some of our other suggestions before tackling this beast of a trail.
Distance: 14.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,195 feet
Start From: Sand Flats Road
Ends At: River Road
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Flume Trail, Nevada
Flume Trail, Nevada, Photo Credit: Jaine Tabrett
Why Ride: You’d be hard pressed to find someone that wasn’t left in awe from Flume Trail’s unrivaled views and scenery. So, it’s no wonder why it was voted one of the Top Ten Mountain Bike Rides in the U.S. The ride traverses the Carson Range thousands of feet above Lake Tahoe, which makes it a perfect spring ride.
Ride Notes: Located on Lake Tahoe’s Eastern Shore, this trail is a moderately difficult one-way 14-mile ride with over 1,000 feet of climbing in the first four miles. The trail begins at Spooner Lake and ascends five miles to Marlette Lake. After you soak in the views of this gorgeous body of water and get your pictures in, a 4 ½ mile narrow singletrack departs from the west end of the lake, and then follows the ridge for 2,000 feet above Lake Tahoe.
Distance: 12.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,420 feet
Start From: Spooner Lake
Ends At: Spooner Lake
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Cady Hill Forest, Vermont
Cady Hill Forest, Vermont, Photo Credit: Ryan Thibault
Why Ride: The Cady Hill Forest provides 11 miles of multi-use trails. If you can’t settle on your favorite terrain, this one was built for you. The trail offers a variety of steep, flowy, and smooth, with twists and turns every few feet, so, riders of all levels will be challenged by this one-of-a-kind mountain biking experience.
Ride Notes: The Forest is about 25 miles outside of Burlington, Vermont. Cady Hill is 258 acres of electrifying tracks maneuvering in and out of White Pines, Red Maples, Sugar Maples, Hemlocks and Yellow Birch. If you are a more advanced rider, you will love the technical challenges, flow, and speed of the trail, while beginners will appreciate the comfort of the smooth, machine-built trails. It’s truly a ride into an enchanted forest.
Distance: 6.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 863 feet
Start From: Cady Hill Forest Trailhead
Ends At: Cady Hill Forest Trailhead
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Zippity Loop, Colorado
Zippity Loop, Colorado, Photo Credit: MTB Project
Why Ride: Fruita and the 18 Road area, where the Zippity Do Da trail is nestled, is home to some of the best mountain bike riding in the country. With it being one of the furthest west trails in the network, this run feels a bit more remote than others. And because this trail is high up on ridges, you will be offered a beautiful overlook of the vast scenery Western Colorado has to offer.
Ride Notes: This trail is not for beginners due to some very steep descents down the ridges. If you’re up for this challenge, you’ll want to start at the south end parking lot of the trail and head up a gradual climb. You’ll connect to the Frontside Trail which takes you up a series of switchbacks to the top of the ridge until the real fun begins. This is the steepest climb on the ride. But you’ll be rewarded with beautiful ridge riding and big rollers. This trail is a MUST for all experience mountain bike riders.
Distance: 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 681 feet
Start From: Zippity Trailhead
Ends At: Zippity Trailhead
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