Colorado Off-Roading in CO - advice from Slavens Racing

[xsrdx]

(Shared from COHVCO) // A Message from Slavens Racing:

 

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a popular destination for motorcycle trail riders, mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders ...from around the world. The massive influx of varied users often causes undue trail damage and user conflicts that could be avoided with a little education.

 

In much of the USA public land is closed to motorcycle use so in those states riders belong to clubs that own land or riders pay to ride at private riding parks. In those scenarios the rules are much different than in Colorado. In those areas if you want to cut a new trail, no problem. If you see a cool virgin hill, shred it and loud mufflers are acceptable. Especially in states east of the Mississippi River, the growing season is much longer and the rainfall greater so trail/off-trail damage heals quickly. This is not the case in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states.

 

In Colorado (and other western states) the rules of engagement, terrain and conditions are much different. All of our riding areas are on public land and managed by the U.S. Forest Service (U.S.F.S.) or the Bureau of Land Management (B.L.M.) so we must follow government rules and regulations. Also, our riding season and growing season is much shorter, approximately June 15th to October 1st. Many of our trails run through Alpine tundra which is very fragile and takes decades to heal if damaged by illegal off-trail riding. Trail damage is ammunition for the tree huggers.

 

Another issue is riders arriving too early in the season before the snow has completely melted and before local riders have had a chance to cut-out downfall trees. Each winter heavy snows and wind cause thousands of trees to fall and block trails. Riding off-trail to bypass these obstacles and damaging the terrain is illegal and considered a Cardinal sin to locals that maintain those trails. Each year small groups of locals pack chain saws on their back or on their dirt bike and drudge down the trails clearing the downfall. This is NOT an easy task. Transporting the chainsaw is problematic and exhausting and after the trees are cut they must be drug off the trail. Remember, this is all done at high elevations (8000' - 12,000' ) where the air is very thin and breathing is difficult.

 

This is a very difficult and time consuming task that local volunteers do for free while costing them for travel expenses, saws, bike maintenance, hotels and food.

 

Get involved, donate to the cause. Colorado is ground zero for anti-motorized trail use litigation by radical tree huggers. Their successes in Colorado set precedence for future law suits in Colorado and other states and possibly offer framework for litigation in other countries. They are well funded, very creative (file suits over allegedly endangered fish), relentless and they hate dirt bikers. We are currently contesting 3 major law suits that are very expensive to defend and more are on the horizon. Please donate to the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. If everyone would donate a little we would not be on such dire straits defending our right to ride.

 

Plan your trip accordingly: Typically Colorado trails are rideable from July 1st till October 1st. Locals need the month of June to clear the trails and in heavy snowfall years it may take until mid-July for the trails to be cleared and for the snow drifts to melt. Please do NOT arrive early and damage the terrain by bypassing downfall or snow drifts.

Stay the Trail: Ride over or through obstacles, not around them. If the trail is beyond your skill level, turn around and find an easier trail or go fishing. Please don't add to our trail closure troubles by destroying fragile terrain to get around fallen trees or snow drifts. Trail/terrain damage is a federal offense and if caught/ticketed you WILL have to appear in front of a federal magistrate judge and face fines and/or incarceration. The U.S.F.S. does have dirt bike riding law enforcement officers on the trail.

 

Ambassador: Be an ambassador to our sport. Be friendly and courteous to other trail users. Help maintain our trails. Join/support MC clubs in the area you plan to ride. Tread lightly, don't cut switchbacks, damage alpine tundra or ride off the trail.

Personal health/safety: Pack water, food and first aid items. Be aware of the signs of altitude sickness. Pack a SPOT tracker.

 

Colorado and USFS/BLM Law Requirements:

Sound Law: ALL ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes must be 96dBa or less. Over 200 law enforcement officers have been trained and carry sound meters ($100 fine).

 

OHV Permit stickers: Stickers ($25.25) are required on all trail vehicles, even if licensed ($75 fine). May be purchased at Colorado motorcycle dealerships. These funds, approximately $3 million annually, go to trail repair & maintenance, new trail construction, trail equipment (saws, shovels, etc.), trail law enforcement and education.

 

Spark arrestors: All ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes must have a U.S.F.S. approved spark arrestor ($125 fine).

 

County and USFS Roads: These are not race tracks for trail idiots. Please obey speed limits. Most of these roads require the vehicle to be street legal (lights, plates, insurance) and the driver to be of legal driving age and licensed. Do NOT terrorize local ranchers, residents and tourist by riding beyond the speed limit.

 

[slomojo]

OHV permit fees also will pay for search and rescue if you need it. Without the permit you could be billed for some of the cost.

[Korbraap]

This is a great post...the kind of thing that wouldn't hurt to have as required reading for OHV registration annually, as seasonal states transition to optimal riding weather.  Reminders go a long way after a winter hibernation...

 

That said...in a request that feels like (but is hardly intended) to be in the face of the Slavens piece, I'm looking for some advice for CO single track riding in the first week of June 2015, that won't violate the sage advice provided by the OP.

 

I'm driving from Georgia, accompanying my wife as she attends to some family business, and would like to introduce an old Marine Corps buddy who lives in Kansas to a memorable (and responsible) riding adventure in the greater Denver area, and do a day or two on my own as well. Unfortunately I have no control over timing, so if the locals say stay away until July, it ain't gonna happen for me - at least this year.  I'd probably haul a couple of KTMs (200/250) and a CRF 250X, all maintained and dressed for the rigor of NF standards - which aren't far from Florida NF requirement dictates as it turns out, where I often ride.  Also spend a lot of time in the GA mountains, so I'm hoping to apply those skills to challenging trails in CO (with due respect, of course, 'cause GA mountains ain't CO mountains by a long shot).

 

Research indicates I'd probably stay within the spirit of the OP post at Rampart Range(?) given the popularity, but I thought I'd float this for any other recommendations, and to ensure I won't be disrespecting the locals showing up 'early.'  I'll be staying north of Denver in Lafayette area.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback...

[kstrailrider]

Maybe up north at lower elevations. I'm in loveland and also from Kansas. Hit me up when you get here and should be able to show you some trails for at least a weekend day .

[redhurricane]

Rampart Range and Woodland Park will be wide open, snow free in June. Both will keep you around 9000' of elevation and there's more than enough there to keep you busy for quite a few days. Not much singletrack at either place, mostly 50" wide trails. First week of June is fairly early for the high country, likely to still have snow on the ground.

[Korbraap]

Thanks guys...input very much appreciated.  redhurricane sent you a PM tied to some of your other posts (without even realizing you had posted here). kstrailrider will PM you as trip details gel - thanks for ride offer, as of now looks like my riding opportunity days will be Tues-Thurs timeframe, but I'll let you know final in PM.