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Bike Day in Vail

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Vail Pass offers a variety of options for bikers who want an intimate look at the beautiful Gore Range mountains that surround Vail. If you're looking for a casual day, local bike shops offer shuttles that make your trip all downhill. If you want a longer, tougher day go for the 32 mile ride over the pass to the nearby town of Frisco--return back to Vail for a 64 mile biking adventure!

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Author: James Dziezynski

Day 1 - Vail

The paved bike path that climbs up Vail Pass and into the town of Frisco from Vail offers countless postcard views of Colorado's amazing mountain scenery. Riders of all abilities can enjoy the day at their own pace thanks to several shuttle services that guarantee an all downhill ride into town. Those looking for a longer day can ride 14 miles to the summit of Vail Pass then drop down into the town of Frisco for a 32 mile one-way adventure. After a lunch break in town, ambitious cyclists can complete the full "Tour de Vail Pass" by reversing their trip for a 64 mile adventure. No matter what your agenda, an early start is important; Colorado’s high country is notorious for thunderstorms that roll in after noon on most summer days. Vail has a few great places for an early morning breakfast. One of our favorites is DJ's Classic Diner for lots of carb-rich grub to power your ride. If you want something quicker (and lighter) than diner food, Blizzard's Mountain Deli in Vail Village has great sandwiches and healthy options for a morning meal. The next order of business is deciding the length of your ride. If you haven’t brought your own bike never fear--there are several bike shops in Vail. The Double Diamond Ski shop is one of the rental shops that can help you get the perfect ride. Many of these also offer shuttle services for more casual riders. Vans will bring you to the top of the pass and you will ride 14 miles downhill into town. Most also provides maps and directions for getting back to your final destination once you are in town. A few companies that offer this service include Alpine Sports Rentals and Vail Bike Tech. If you are planning your own trip, a great place to start your adventure is the terminus of the bike path in West Vail near the Deluge Lake Trailhead. To get to the trailhead from I-70 take exit 180 (your first Vail exit on the right if you are traveling I-70 westbound) and turn left and go under I-70 and take an immediate left, taking your to the southeast. Take this road past housing developments 2.1 miles southeast where it goes under I-70 again. Follow this road another 0.2 miles to its end just past the Deluge Lake Trailhead and the start of the paved bike path. From here, the day is yours to plan. It is 14 miles and roughly 2,100 vertical feet to Vail Pass. A trip to the pass and back is a nice day if you have time constraints, since the return trip is fast thanks to being all downhill. If you choose to go up and over the pass, the descent into the town of Frisco makes for a 32 mile one-way trip. A good idea is to enjoy lunch in Frisco and then return to Vail. The 64 mile out-and-back is helped by the fact the elevation gain from Frisco to Vail Pass is only around 1,500 ft. Once you've completed your biking and the day is done, head to the Red Lion Inn for an après ski type environment (even in the summer) or hang out with the other sweaty bikers, hikers and kayakers down the road a bit at the tonge-in-cheek Wolcott Yacht Club Grill. And if you still have energy, a fun way to end the night is at the fully furnished Back Bowl, a bowling alley and bar that is fully furnished with couches, carpeted floors and has decent food and drinks to boot!

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