When I think of Radio Flyer I picture a little red wagon
filled with dirt or maybe your favorite niece or nephew. For my significant other, hers carries 3 fertile tomato
plants. Whatever you choose to pull, one
thing is certain, no one can resist the smile it brings.
I had the pleasure of riding on a Radio Flyer recently, all
195 lbs of me. Ok, you might think I’m a
little too big for that now, perhaps for the little red wagon, but for me this
Radio Flyer was atop Vail Mountain and one of their newer downhill rides.
I’ve always wondered how they come up with names for these
trails and I got to thinking about Radio Flyer last night. For me this little red wagon represented
joyful youth and thinking back on my ride down Radio Flyer, nothing could have
described it better.
It started with a calming ride up the mountain on the Eagle
Bahn Gondola. It was just me and my
trusted steed on the Gondola today. If
you’ve never been on a Gondola, Vail has one of the best with a great view of
Vail Village below and beautiful scenes all the way up to Adventure Ridge. For this ride I took a full suspension bike
with the fork and rear shock at full travel.
I opted to leave the padding at home but I did decide to use my downhill
helmet. I used my clipless pedals but I
would have preferred platforms-I know what you’re saying, “change them already!”
At the trail head you’re greeted with a bright red sign
reading “RADIO FLYER IS AN ISOLATED AND MORE DIFFICULT TRAIL” among other warnings. I knew I was in store for quite a ride and
honestly I was a little intimidated at first.
Weather was approaching and it had rained earlier because the trail was
damp. When you’re surrounded by towering
pines and moist Dirt, there is an additional element to your ride that you just
can’t forget, it’s a rush of aromas that just fills your senses and all you can
say is WOW.
So I start down Radio Flyer and at first it seems pretty
easy, the Dirt is damp so the tires really hook up nicely and very few rocks
although trees line every foot down this trail.
As I progress I begin to let off the brakes a bit more and the twists
and turns bring out the little kid in me as I find myself hootin’ and hollering’
down the trail. You can gain a lot of
speed down this trail. It’s well groomed
so even at slow speeds you’re sure to relive your own childhood. Water puddles are scattered throughout on
this day and although I don’t mind getting dirty the challenge to take the
outside line was just too much.
There is a really cool section of whoops on this trail and
my first tendency was to try and ride a wheelie through them until I came to my
senses and realized I wasn’t on a motorcycle-I have to believe the really fast guys could do it. The tight switchbacks will force you to brake
but don’t let them stop you from letting go right after. The forest is pretty dense down the trail and
I’m surprised I could maintain satellite communication. It was really cool that day but I don’t think
it would get terribly hot with all that shade.
This trail can certainly be one of the most difficult trails
on Vail Mountain depending on your speed.
Never ride any trail beyond your ability and I believe anyone who has
good control on the bike and has a great feel for braking can ride this trail. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy this
ride but it will look steep for those who aren’t used to riding on mountains
and definitely make sure your equipment is in good working order, any brake
malfunction or rider error won’t end well.
Radio Flyer doesn’t run all the way down to Vail Village so
on this particular ride I caught PMT, which is categorized as a Black Diamond
trail, for a few meters with two frightening drops for someone on clipless
pedals. From there I caught Hank’s
Hideaway, which any level of rider would enjoy (picture above).
It runs through many Aspen groves and lush vegetation when combined with
an intermediate run makes for one heck of a ride.
These trails were a delight for the mind, body
and soul and you can catch it all at Radio Flyer
Don't forget to click on the green arrow in the map to watch the movie and Happy Trails!
Alan Romero
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