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Telluride Colorado

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    First Timer’s Bike Park Guide

    Have you never mountain biked before, but have experience pedaling a bike around town or riding on the road? If so you’ll have a great time riding the Telluride Bike Park. Although downhill biking can seem intimidating at first, it’s not all about big air, high speeds, and technical lines like you see in the videos. At the Telluride Bike Park we have trails for all abilities that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Whether this is your first trip to the Telluride Bike Park or your first time riding a bike park it is important to get started right so you’re rolling down the trails safely.

    What is the Telluride Bike Park?

    The Telluride Bike Park is located within the boundaries of the ski resort and is a designated network of interlinked mountain bike trails. The Telluride Bike Park is “gravity fed” and accessible by the Village Express Chairlift (Lift 4) and the Gondola. Gravity-fed trails means that there is little to no pedaling involved. Gravity does all the work for you and the chairlift brings you back to the top. Riders may also use the chairlift or gondola to access the resorts cross country trials.

    Trail Difficulty

    Trail difficulty within the bike park is designated by color and shape markers: green is easiest, blue is intermediate, black is most difficult, and double black is extremely difficult, Within the bike park there are also two categories of trails within the difficulty designations. Flow trails are wider machine built trails that are smooth and feature man made elements such as jumps, berms, and rollers. Technical trails are tighter and take advantage of natural features such as roots and rocks, but also have man made elements.

    The green flow trail, Tommyknocker, is a freeride trail ideal for novice riders with basic mountain bike skills. The trail is wide and has a mellow pitch, giving riders a great opportunity to advance their skill set. If this is your first time riding the Telluride Bike Park, we highly recommend hiring a guide or participating in a clinic. View Bike Park Trail Maps »

    Guiding and Clinics

    You may be thinking, I know how to ride a bike, why would I hire a guide or take a clinic? Downhill biking is similar to skiing or snowboarding, it is a sport that requires a specific set of fundamental skills best taught to first-timer bike park riders by a professional guide. View Clinics & Guiding »

    Safety First

    Wether this is your first time riding a bike park or you’re a seasoned veteran, make sure you slow down before you speed up. Riding a trail multiple times allows you, the rider, to become familiar with the trail and features along with the equipment you are using. This will allow you to comfortably increase your skills without exceeding your limits.

    Equipment Policies and Recommendations

    • Helmets are required when riding the bike park. (A full face helmet is highly recommended when riding technical trails or jump trails).
    • Eye protection, body armor, and gloves are highly recommended.
    • The trails at the Telluride Bike Park are specifically designed to be ridden on modern full suspension mountain bikes. Hard tail and rigid mountain bikes are not forbidden but not recommended within the bike park.
    • Due to the gravity fed nature of downhill bike parks, disc brakes are highly recommended for adequate stopping power. Rim brakes, although not forbidden in the bike park, will increase fatigue for the rider and have limited stopping power. Bikes with coaster brakes are not allowed in the bike park.
    • Uphill riding is not allowed in the bike park.

     

    MOUNTAIN BIKER’S RESPONSIBILITY CODE

    Mountain biking involves risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. Know and follow the code. It is your responsibility.

    ALWAYS

    1. STAY IN CONTROL You’re responsible for avoiding objects and people.
    2. KNOW YOUR LIMITS Ride within your ability. Start small and work your way up.
    3. PROTECT YOURSELF Use an appropriate bike, helmet and protective equipment.
    4. INSPECT AND MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT Know your components and their operation prior to riding.
    5. BE LIFT SMART Know how to load, ride and unload lifts safely. Ask if you need help.
    6. INSPECT THE TRAILS AND FEATURES Conditions change constantly; plan and adjust your riding accordingly.
    7. OBEY SIGNS AND WARNINGS Stay on marked trails only. Keep off closed trails and features. Ride in the direction indicated.
    8. BE VISIBLE Do not stop where you obstruct a trail, feature, landing or are not visible.
    9. LOOK AND YIELD TO OTHERS Look both ways and yield when entering or crossing a road or trail. When overtaking, use caution and yield to those ahead.
    10. COOPERATE If involved in or witness to an incident, identify yourself to staff.

     

    Mountain biking at Telluride Bike Park.

    MOUNTAIN BIKE CHECKLIST

    If you are not completely familiar with your bike and its various components, these checklist items, or if you have any doubt as to your bike’s condition, we highly recommend you check with a qualified bike mechanic for further advice.

    1. Ensure helmet is in good shape and properly adjusted. Helmets are required to ride on Telluride Ski Resort.
    2. Inspect bike frame for cracks, damaged or dented areas.
    3. Ensure you have sufficient brake pads to stop your bike while descending.
    4. Front and rear axles should be tight.
    5. Headset and stem must be secure with no looseness or play.
    6. Check that your tires are in good condition, with no tears or cuts, including the sidewall.
    7. Handlebar and handle grips must be tight