18 Road Mountain Bike Trails: Joe's Ridge

The Fruita Trail network is like an amusement park for bikes. There are twisty, flowing single-tracks and outrageous rides throughout the surrounding foothills of the Bookcliffs.

Joe's Ridge is the perfect primer for some of the more challenging trails in the park. It's best to ride this trail after you have warmed up a bit; the roller coaster ride down has a sudden, steep drop-off that can be intimidating! The ride down the foothills is a combination of blazing speed and tight control as you brush trough stubby pine forests on narrow singletrack following the spine of Joe's Ridge.

If you like what you ride on Joe's Ridge, Zippity-Do-Dah may be a great follow-up, though riders should note that there is a steep descent with no walk-around. And if you are exploring the 18 Road Mountain Bike Trail System for a few days, there is no more convenient place to stay than the North Fruita Desert Campground.

2015 is the first year that the BLM contracted Colorado Mountain Bike Association to maintain and improve trails all over Grand Valley. COMBA employed a two-man crew, and in just over four months they repaired practically every area singletrack. Take a minute to check out their website and see what they're doing to help maintain this pristine wilderness for everyone.