Thursday, March 21, 2013

Betasso Preserve 2.0: A Lil' Ain't Enough

Trailhead Entrance: N40°00.873’ W105°20.662



Had a chance to stretch my legs last weekend and what a gorgeous day it was.  It had snowed a few days earlier but up here in Colorado the snow doesn’t stick around for long.  It was a brisk Sunday afternoon and the clouds were breaking to reveal a sun just waiting to warm up the trail.

Betasso Preserve is so close to Boulder and perhaps one of the most enjoyable trails around.  It’s not too difficult for an intermediate rider, quite easy for an advanced rider but it could be a bit strenuous for a novice.  I’m convinced that even a novice can enjoy this ride as long as they ride at a comfortable pace, rest often and hydrate.

The trail is chocolaty sweet; very well groomed with few obstacles.  The climbs are gradual but may feel lengthy to a novice.  This day there were a few wet spots; boy how I love sinking my tires into wet gravel mixed with dirt.  There was also a little snow in the shady areas but no match for my Nobby Nics.

The trail on this day was running counterclockwise, which I had not done before so I was looking forward to a different experience.  I couldn’t decide if the trail was more difficult in this direction or if I was just out of shape; perhaps a little of both. 

I usually catch the main trail by way of the Boulder Canyon Drive link trail.  I decided on this day to drive up to the trailhead instead since I hadn’t started from there before.  You novice riders would be wise to do the same, the link trail from Boulder Canyon Drive can be about as foolish as putting your life savings in a Cyprus bank account. 

The first 1.36 miles are what mountain bikers crave, smooth winding single-track headed downhill.  There are some twists and turns and of course other trail users so please use caution and always yield to hikers.  At 1.36 miles the trail turns up mildly with another short downhill section at 2.05 miles when you reach a trail junction.  Staying right will link you over to the Benjamin Loop, which I highly recommend.  So I chose to go right where you will bottom out again at 2.51 miles to the next climb. 

You’ll climb for another 0.25 miles when you reach the Benjamin Loop.  Today this loop ran clockwise and the climb would continue for another 0.95 miles.  All this climbing is so worth it; rest as much as you need to because this section is great.  For the next 0.84 miles you will be treated to one of the finest downhill sections in the area.  Very few obstacles but many twists and turns on some very smooth single-track-kudos to the track builders.  Of course ride in control because there are some steep drop-offs and a small mistake at high speed can spell big trouble.

The trail levels off a bit at 4.55 miles and you finally return back to the junction at about the 5 mile mark.  The ride back to the Canyon Loop trail is a gentle climb until you start heading up to complete the loop.  For a novice this section will take a bit out of you.  The wet and snowy areas made it more difficult but even on a dry day this section won’t be easy for a novice rider.  It’s a pretty steady climb for about a mile but you do have one short downhill section to catch your breath.  At 6.67 miles it’s all downhill back to the parking lot. 

Remember to enjoy yourself and stop to take in the views.  We were all beginners at one time and when we had to stop to catch our breath, we made sure to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells that keep bringing us back time after time.

Follow along at connect.garmin.com/activity/287247439 and take a little time to plan out your rides using all the mapping information contained on my Garmin page.  Spring is here so oil up that chain and adjust those derailleurs; hope to see you out there.

Dirt Life – Alan Romero

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