18 Road Mountain Bike Trails: Kessel Run

The 18 Road Mountain Bike Trails are a wonder of western Colorado nestled at the base of the Bookcliffs just outside Fruita. Nowhere else can you find a trail system so accessible to all levels of riders, from young to old. Race down the slalom style course and feel the speed as it sticks you to the trail and pushes you to go even harder. Get ready for an amazing ride with tight banked corners and fun straight-away sections that blaze through the juniper and desert scrub. Brag to your friends about how you completed the Kessel Run in record time, and then ride back to the top to do it all over again. 

This trail inspires confidence in new riders wishing to go faster and push their trail handling abilities, and it makes experienced riders feel like a kid again as they whip around without a care. Locals say you can ride this trail both ways at 18 Road; on busy days, however, there are so many riders coming down it might as well be a one way.  Don't let this stop you, though, because Kessel Run is a trail that is not to be missed.

If this run has you wanting more, Joe's Ridge and Zippity are more challenging and well-worth exploring. And there's no closer spot to camp than the North Fuita Desert Campground.