How single track minded are you really? Conversations are moving about making trails more responsive to the riders demographics while still being friendly to Mother Nature. A friendlier trail is one that "flows" better or as alternative routes creating various trail "behaviors" that may be desired by some, like side jumps on a trail (as seen below). But can you still be friendly to Mother Nature when certain aspects of a trail are created?

By Robert Burnett

This ain't Colorado anymore

Here in Colorado we pride ourselves on our ability to ride at altitude. Denver is the “Mile High City,” and Colorado is home to two of the highest roads in the US, climbing up Pikes Peak and Mt. Evans. We test our strength on these roads, racing up them as fast as we can. And when we travel to lower altitudes, we can’t help but badger our out-of-state friends a bit about how easy it is to breathe.

Four Colorado racers will put their high-altitude experience to the test this coming March 1 -15 at a unique race in Nepal – a country with the highest peaks in the world. Robert Burnett, Sonya Looney, Thor Loechell and Tyler McMahon will tackle the Yak Attack, a 10-day mountain bike stage race through the Himalayas in Nepal. The race covers 400 kilometers (~250 miles) with 40,000 feet of climbing. The race’s Queen Stage, over Thorong-La Pass, tops out at just over 17,750 feet. That’s more than 3,000 feet higher than the summit of either Mt. Evans or Pikes Peak. At that elevation, there is only half of the amount of oxygen available than at sea level.

If you’re new to the Colorado mountain bike scene or new to mountain biking, read further to get some information about races that you should set in your sights. The main events of these races are challenging enough to be your one-a-year type of goal, while the shorter versions offer less intimidating options to dip your feet into the racing waters. If you’ve been around the scene and haven’t heard the latest on the RME Series, read further as a reminder about your favorite races and provide some mid-winter stoke.

The Rocky Mountain Endurance Series, directed by Warriors Cycling, has become a staple on the Colorado mountain biking race calendar because of the quality courses, organized planning, information, and race days, and the great overall experience and atmosphere. Most of the current events are relatively new, as well as new to the series. Two of the 2013 planned races have been around for several years.

The Breckenridge 100 results date back to 2005. Because of the years it’s been around, the extreme nature of the race, and the difficulty, it’s maintained its role as the anchor of the series.
The Battle the Bear, which was known in previous years as the Front Range 50 and 60, is the second oldest race on the current 2013 schedule.