Mountain Bike Slow Rolling Estes Park Colorado

Florida mountain biking will only get you so far when it comes to altitude, so our first ride through Estes Park, Colorado was more about sightseeing than speed. We pointed the bikes onto the YMCA of the Rockies single track, just checking it out for the first time, and let the mountains do the rest of the talking.

Elk at the Trailhead

Before we even clipped in, the trip already had a highlight - a herd of elk hanging out right at the trailhead. Seeing wildlife like that up close, before the ride has even started, is one of those moments that reminds you how different mountain scenery is from what we're used to back home.

Thin Air, Slow Pace

The YMCA of the Rockies single track runs about eight miles, which sounds easy on paper, but at 9,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation, easy is relative. We found ourselves out of breath constantly, even on the mellow sections, which made for a much slower and more deliberate ride than we're used to.

Views Worth the Huffing and Puffing

What the altitude took out of our lungs, the scenery more than made up for. Wide open mountain views opened up along the trail, the kind you just don't get riding through Florida woods and swamps. It's a completely different flavor of mountain biking, one where you stop as much for the view as you do to catch your breath.

First Time Out There

This was our first time exploring this particular trail system, so we kept things slow and relaxed rather than trying to push pace or distance. Sometimes the best way to get to know new terrain, especially at elevation you're not acclimated to, is to just roll through it and take it all in.

Worth the Trip to the Rockies

Between the elk, the thin mountain air, and views that stretch for miles, this easy single track through Estes Park turned into a memorable ride even without covering much ground fast. If you're ever out near the YMCA of the Rockies with a mountain bike, it's worth a slow roll through - just don't expect your Florida lungs to keep up right away.