Riding the Rio Grande Rails-to-Trails

During the last weekend of July, Sam and I headed to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for a friend’s wedding. We have traveled through this area on many occasions when driving via I-70 to California to see relatives, but had never stopped or spent any time here — shockingly, not even to refill an empty gas tank. So, when we knew we were headed in that direction for a couple of days, we wanted to do our best to take advantage of the opportunity and ride as much as possible.

Our time in the area was going to be pretty limited and with Sam participating as a groomsmen in the wedding, we knew that rehearsals and other festivities would likely take a big chunk out of our already limited time, but we were intent on carving out a chunk of at least one day to explore a bit.

I had done a bit of electronic exploring of the area before we left home and discovered what appeared to be a decent Rails-to-Trails route that we hoped to ride, but it would all depend on the other commitments and how much free time we’d actually have to ourselves.

On Friday, we arrived mid-afternoon to a fast-and-hard falling rain-mixed-with-hail storm. This is very typical in the Colorado mountains (or even at home) in the summer, so it shouldn’t have surprised us, but we were still caught a bit off guard and sat pouting a bit as we waited for it to pass, and watching as our bicycles got drenched in the downpour.

Just before our arrival at the campsite (and the rain/hail storm).

About an hour later, everything cleared well enough for us to venture out a bit. We were staying at a campground just outside of Glenwood Springs proper, but saw as we drove in that there is a bike path just outside the campground. So, we hopped on our bikes and decided to see where it would take us.

The path took us along the Colorado River, and then runs parallel to I-70 before dropping off in the city of Glenwood Springs. From my sleuthing prior to our arrival, I knew that there was a way to connect to another trail from the city, but because I was having difficulty getting cell coverage, I couldn’t quite figure how we’d connect to it from our location, so instead we pedaled around the city a bit and took in the sights.

Later, when I had an opportunity to check a map, I realized that we nearly ran right into the path, had we just been paying better attention. So, we decided that on Saturday morning we’d go back and attempt to make our way on the Rails-to-Trails route of the Rio Grande Trail.

Like many railways, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad stopped running several decades ago, but thanks to the conservancy program, was turned into the Rio Grande Trail. I have personally not had an opportunity to ride any of the Rails-to-Trails paths, so this was an opportunity I was looking forward to experiencing.

This particular trail runs a little over 40 miles between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Colorado. Our intention was to ride the entire length, but due to time constraints and other obligations, we knew that we likely wouldn’t be able to do so.

The Rio Grande Trail Map

We started our ride fairly early and rain was predicted (though thankfully we never got more than a drizzle during our ride). I came ill-prepared for anything other than blazing hot riding weather, so was fairly cold for most of our ride (and I should know better!) in my sleeveless, ultra-lightweight jersey. Sam, smartly packed layers so had both sun protection and some warmth.

From the campsite, we traveled back into Glenwood Springs and then on to the actual Rio Grande Trail once in the city limits. It is pretty well marked (despite missing the signs the day prior) for the most part, so I don’t think most people would have difficulty finding their way to the start.

Roaring Fork River

The path starts off in the city park area and travels along the Roaring Fork River. The trail has both curvy and rolling, small hill portions for a few miles. It is also incredibly green and lush. After those first few miles, the path is fairly straight (which surprised both of us as we’re used to twisty and turning paths), and has a very slight uphill grade the entire distance toward Aspen. The greenery also turned a bit into a mix of foliage propped up against red mountains.

The trail is, for the most part, in really great condition, and seems to be well-cared for by the conservancy. Even the bridge in the distance seemed to have just had the planks replaced recently.

Since we were riding early, we had the luxury of taking up the entire trail on our outbound trip (we’d have significantly more company on the return). It was a luxury that we enjoyed for as long as possible. I was also impressed that there were several outhouse/bathroom stops along the trail (the one we stopped to use was remarkably clean and well-stocked too), as well has having stop off points in little towns along the path. There were also several benches and picnic tables, which made the entire path feel welcoming to all sorts of people.

One of the many outhouse stops along the trail.

We spotted all sorts of people at various points on the trail. Runners, dog walkers, families biking together, group rides out for a spin, old, young, and everyone in between were taking advantage of this system. We even spotted a tandem duo (which made us a little sad we weren’t on ours – though we were glad to be on all-road/gravel bikes for a couple spots on the ride).

Unfortunately, we knew we were running out of time and ended up only able to ride about half the full length of the Rio Grande Trail, having to turn around just on the outside of Carbondale.

Sam has been playing with a GoPro camera, so there is a short, 1-minute clip of some of the ride below to give a better idea of this particular path, if anyone is interested.

My only real regret about this trip is that we didn’t have the opportunity to ride the entire distance of the trail. I was amazed at the mileage it provided to users, and it also made me realize that I would love to see more of this type of trail system throughout our state. While I realize there are a number of Rails-to-Trails paths throughout the country, having not ridden one myself, I had no idea that they could cover such a long stretch. From what I’ve read, this 40+ mile stretch is nothing compared to others, as some cover over 200 miles!

Hopefully, at some point in the future, we’ll have an opportunity to return and ride the entire length of the trail. Perhaps we’ll even have the chance to ride one in another area. I’d love to be able to compare more than one and to know if they are all as well-maintained and groomed.

If you’ve had an opportunity to ride any of the Rails-to-Trails paths, what did you think of your experience? Have you ridden more than one? What were differences you experienced from one to the next? Feel free to leave your thoughts.

Return to Leadville

Sam and I are preparing to leave for Leadville in less than 24 hours. A lot of racers are already in the city, or at least in the vicinity. We just have life stuff to deal with before we can head out, so we'll get an early run up into the mountains in the morning. It seems unbelievable that it's already time for the Leadville Trail 100, and it feels as though it's been only a few weeks since the Silver Rush 50. Oh, wait! It has only been a few weeks.

The Silver Rush 50 was the first time either of us had been to Leadville, and while we'd both heard stories of the town and had seen Race Across the Sky, I know I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I had an idea of what the town would be and as we rolled in, it was in part exactly what I anticipated and partially a completely different animal.

Somehow, the town seemed smaller than I'd expected, and during the initial hours of our visit I couldn't understand the pull for people to continue to come and race in a small former mining town. As our time progressed in the city though, I found a certain charm and appreciation for the area. The views are spectacular and the people were wonderful. I enjoyed being able to walk the entire main downtown area in a few minutes. I appreciated that I would see the same people more than once. Little things seemed somehow easier to appreciate.

After our departure, we both found ourselves thinking about Leadville, wondering what it would be like to live in such a place. It started with a thought of having a small apartment in the area after realizing that it's tough to find a place to stay when these races are going on. Then, we wondered if we could actually live in Leadville full-time. It was more of a fanciful thought than something that would actually happen, but it was an interesting distraction and an idea that seemed almost doable.

While I like the idea of being removed from hustle and bustle, I also realize that I enjoy having a city close at hand. Denver is only a couple of hours from Leadville, but I personally think it's perhaps still a bit too removed for my liking. The realization that winters are much more harsh than here at the base of The Rockies is yet another obstacle. I know that I am really much more of a summer person than a winter gal and knowing that snow is not only possible but more probable most months out of the year, well, it just wouldn't be the best decision.

Still, I find myself looking forward to our return to Leadville. There is something warm and inviting about the city that mentally draws me back. We hold out hope that the weather will be kind to all of the riders this weekend, but do so knowing full well that we are dealing with the unpredictable-yet-still-somehow-predictable mountains and weather patterns. Thunderstorms look possible for the afternoon of race day, but we know that weather changes on a dime as well.

To all the racers this weekend, good luck, be safe, and ride hard!

Missing Madison

We returned from our midwest-ish bicycling/camping tour one week ago, and I can't believe how much I'm missing Wisconsin. I know that it's easy to idealize a vacation (you're not working, you have no stress of any sort and nothing to side track you that isn't a fun diversion), but I really fell in love with the city of Madison.


I think that growing up in California, we are taught that California is the be-all, end-all of everything in the States. We believe (and I truly don't think that the natives there think that they're better than anyone consciously) that NY and Cali are the exciting areas, and the rest of the US is filler. It's where our crops come from, it's the place where all the hill-folk, country-folk, and those who dress badly choose to live. I'm not sure I was even aware that I had this mental conditioning as part of me until we were planning this little adventure/trip. When we moved to Colorado seven years ago, I remember longing to be back in California. I missed the beaches, I missed my friends (and sometimes family) and it just felt as though I'd been torn away from a part of me. Over time, I realized that Colorado is actually much like California and that there are so many Californians in this state, that it's almost as though the mentality is very similar (at least in the areas of the state I am frequently visiting or a part of). I'm not sure what it is, but there's a certain sense of entitlement... and I don't even mean money-wise or even really in the acquiring of possessions, but rather more of a thought that the individual is more important than the whole. In some sense, I get this as it's important to look out for yourself, but in another, I find it a bit strange.

We've lived in Colorado for, what I will call for simplicity purposes, nearly a decade, and I have made no personal attachments to this place. At first, it was more of that feeling of missing the familiar of my "home state," but then it was more, well, I'm not entirely sure what it was. Colorado is a beautiful state, and the mountains are second to none. But, I'm not really a mountain girl. I don't mountain bike, I don't ski or snowboard, I don't even really hike in the mountains, so while the Rockies are an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold, they hold little attachment for me. When we first moved to Colorado, we lived in the mountains, and I think it seemed more real to me that we were in this state. Now we living in a city that, while it has mountain views, feels as though we live on the plains of Kansas.

For the record, that pic is actually of the plains of Colorado (wouldn't want to confuse anyone, but honestly, the Kansas plains don't look much different).

When we started out on our trip, I thought I would be confirming my beliefs that the midwest was not a place that people should live, but rather just pick up their corn, and I found out something completely different. People are people, and while there are definitely a lot of farms throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin, there are also cities spattered throughout these areas.

I found downtown Des Moines to be perfectly charming and a place I could certainly see myself living.

Just an adorable place to be, and they have this beautiful outdoor sculpture park, full of pieces of art.

It was so hard not to fall in love with such a charming city.

By far, my favorite state was Wisconsin.

From the oddly eccentric and beachy-feeling of the Wisconsin Dells,

to the city of Milwaukee's vast Lake Michigan and beautiful city,

it was difficult not to love the state. But, when we hit Madison, something seemed just perfect.

First of all, everywhere we went there were walkers and bicyclists.

That in itself was pretty exciting and comfortable. And, I couldn't help but notice the city of Madison's bicycle lane signs. I know we have them throughout the US, but theirs were particularly cute to me.

But, beyond the bicycling, walking, and the most adorable bicycle lane signs ever, it just felt comfortable. Things were green and lush, there were lakes everywhere, and it just felt like a place that I'd be comfortable relaxing and enjoying life. Isn't that what we want in a place that we call home? Even Sam looks adorable in Madison (as he does anywhere, but he just looks like he belongs).



I guess it makes me think twice about my lifelong thoughts that living in the midwest would completely suck. While I realize there's nothing I can do about it for now, it seems to keep calling to me, and I have to stop and wonder what life could be like in another part of the country. I realize that the winters would be much different than they are here in Colorado more than likely, as we are fortunate enough to have a lot of snow, that also melts extremely quickly. But I also grow tired of this "high desert" and the less than lush landscape that surrounds us.

I suppose there's always a chance that this California girl could very well end up living in the Midwest, and loving it. It's also not very likely because of commitments and chains keeping us in Colorado, but it's an interesting thought to picture myself being able to be a part of such a lovely community. I guess in all reality, I just like change, and in a few years, I may no longer like it there and want to move on to another location... or, perhaps I just need to be happy living wherever I am and just live in the moment. For me, that's much easier said than done though, as I strive every day to just enjoy what is in front of me, rather than wishing for the future.