Where to Bike in the Central US
They have been called the best, but to be honest, I had to leave some trails off the list that I would put up against any of these. I left these because they offer something for everybody. The Central US has so many incredible trails to offer I recommend you try to get on as many as you can. This list is a good place to start.
Colorado, Waldo Canyon. The views are breathtaking and it is absolutely impossible to be disappointed by the trails here. There aren’t many places on the planet where you feel like you can peek into heaven, Waldo Canyon is one of them. The top of the trail gives you a view above the tree line which makes you feel like omnipotent. This feeling sure comes in handy during the ride back down. Enjoy.
Palmer Park, Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado Springs is a personal favorite so I may be a bit biased about the trails here. Palmer Park offers many trails from beginner to expert. There is an added adventure element as well. There is no discernible way to navigate the park because the maps are incomplete, so you could get lost for a little while, but it is totally worth it. The rock formations impress every time.
Cache Creek to Game Creek Loop. This loop is just a little southeast of Jackson, Wyoming. In the beginning it seems a bit easy but gets tougher as it goes on. Only a couple of miles in you will realize this trail isn’t for beginners. The varied plants and wildlife add to the mystique of the place and insure that you will never get bored, no matter how many times you ride this trail.
Utah, Moab. The MOAB Brand Trails are 4 trails, each named for the different letters in MOAB. The M trail is the easiest and works it way up to B, which is the most difficult. You’ll find the M trail a little rocky, but mostly just fun. The B trail will through expert level obstacles at you like slick rock and tight turns. These trails are enough to keep you busy for a couple of days and can be fun for the whole family. It’s a beautiful place, designed for biking fun.
Austin, Texas. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is my favorite place in the great state of Texas. Not only is Austin one of the coolest, quirkiest cities you will ever have the pleasure of visiting with the right mindset this trail is a ton of fun. It is inconsistent in places and you may have to walk in some places but if you are looking for nature in the middle of an urban setting, Barton Creek is a lot of fun. If you can go during the Austin City Limits Music Festival and bike a couple of days you will have lived my dream vacation, I hope you enjoy it.
These trails are just a sampling of what the Central US has to offer. As I mentioned, it was difficult to narrow the lists down to just 5 places. I hope you get the chance to see them all. Each one is very unique and has something different to teach you. Get out there and learn all your lessons on the above amazing trails.