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Anyone rode Rainbow in Salida, CO?
Looking to take the Beta 480 plated from Taylor Park to Rainbow and back. It's about 300ish miles round trip. Just wondering how tech the trail is? I've heard it's pretty buff and not super technical so that will be a nice ride.
Anywho thanks!
I've ridden about 20 miles of Rainbow Trail near Salida and hiked about 3 miles of it near Westcliffe. You will find it fairly crowded around Salida with MTBs but it's all workable depending on when you ride it. It will test you mostly because of length, side-hill nature of trail, and great sections not being as abundant as challenging sections. That is what I remember most: "Why can't this trail be mostly awesome instead of mostly not fun?". It's been many years and it may have been groomed better lately but I think it may be more hacked out over the last 10 years or so since I have been there. That's my opinion as an old rider who used to race eastern enduros and hare scrambles. I had a 2017 Beta 480 (plated) and if you are in the area and need help, Buena Vista up the road from Salida has a Beta dealer. Here's an old link to some Rainbow Trail info:
https://www.rickramsey.net/RB1.htm
Good luck!
It'll be mid-week in July so not crazy busy like the weekend but busy enough. I heard they did extensive work to the trail 2 years ago so i'm hoping it's mostly buff stuff.
I'm not opposed to long rides. I have recently done a few nearly 100 mile cycling rides and plenty of over 100 mile rides in Colorado on my CRF so the length of the trail doesn't really scare me. We do also have Fossil Ridge, Dr. Park and Timberline planned as a large day ride loop. 120 miles of the good stuff close to TP.
It's 100% a bucket list trail. Do it once and probably not do it again.
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1911383554?share_token=a3KUdkfOFT9uJIGY7Etd…
FB- got any insight into Rainbow Trail?
Do it you’ll be fine if you’re a decent rider. That’ll be a long haul and a looong day going back to Taylor park. Fuel maybe an issue?
Last time I did it there were a shit ton of mtbs on the trail and it gets pretty thin in areas so just be careful of that. Have fun.
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Swede,
You're missing a bunch of good stuff by trying to do this loop in one day.
Check these links for 2 rides in late July and Mid August.
Both of these rides can include the Rainbow and all the good local only shortcuts and trails.
Colorado Singletrack Trailride JULY 24-27 stages on Monarch Pass at the Ponderosa Lodge
X-Roads BV AUG. 7-12 stages near Johnson Village at the River Park Mine near Carnage Canyon
We finished up a week long ride based out of Salida mid September and spent a good chunk of time on the Rainbow Trail. I would consider it your average mountain trail difficulty and our group had a lot of fun. Fuel east of salida gets scarce, west of salida you have Sargents and Pitkin. Awesome riding though, will be an epic ride!
Washed up local A woods guy. I’m not worried about the terrain. The same week I plan on riding Fossil Ridge, Dr. Park and Timberline as a loop for a nice day.
I’ll be on my 480 with a plate and plan on getting gas at a couple spots so I’m not worried on fuel either.
Thanks for the mtb tips! I forget that area is heavily populated with them. No hate comms tho.
That’s a ride! Timberline is awesome. Shoot an update after you do the rainbow loop I’d be interested to see the track.
Will do! This year we did a lot of stuff I hadn't done before because we decided to do some long rides instead of shorter half-day rides. Highly recommend TeoCalli Ridge and all the single-track West of Cement Creek Rd.
While I can appreciate the responses from you...not everything has to be an advertisement for your tours.
The photos look great tho!
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