Bike To Work Day is tomorrow, June 22, and plenty of TURNER team members will be ditching their cars to cruise into the office, whether they’re in NYC, Denver or Chicago. Of course, that isn’t too different from any day for us. The team is packed with cycling enthusiasts – so we thought it’d be the perfect time to gather together some favorite bike experiences.
Zippity Do Da in Fruita, CO
Last summer, I headed to Fruita, CO for a weekend of desert camping and mountain biking with a bunch of friends. Not quite as crowded as Moab, Fruita offers an incredible variety of smooth single-track trails, many of which are perfect for beginner mountain bikers (me). I made the mistake of trusting the expert riders I was with to know my (lack of) ability, and somehow I ended up on
Zippity Do Da, an advanced trail that follows a ridge-line and feels a bit like a rollercoaster with all the steep, rolling hills. While I wish I could tell you I made it down unscathed, the trail certainly left an impression on me (emotionally and physically) as it is the only time in recent history that something has thrilled me and terrified me so much at the same time.
– Caitlin Martz
Biking through The Luberon
Nestled in the heart of Provence, The Luberon boasts a spectacular countryside filled with vineyards, hilltop villages and the stunning scenery that inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne. The only thing better than exploring this enchanting wonderland is doing so on bike. Pushing 30-40 miles each day, our rides were speckled with rosé-filled lunches, medieval village meandering and vivid lavender fields at every turn. Pure magic, to say the least.
– Kelsey Comstock
The Mineral Belt Trail in Leadville, CO
At 10,340 feet above sea level, Leadville is the highest incorporated town in the USA. So I knew I’d need some serious lungpower to ride the
Mineral Belt Trail – especially since we were pulling a pair of 4-year-olds in the trailers behind our bikes. The extra effort was worth it. This trail loops along 11.6 miles of former rail lines that prospectors used back in the mining days. The views of nearby 14’ers Mount Elbert and Mount Massive are unbelievable.
– Tyler Wilcox
From Whistler, Canada to Eureka, CA
I camped and fly-fished all the way from Whistler through California – just over 800 miles, in the middle of February. I grabbed steelhead in WA and OR, and stopped at the Tillamook factory in Oregon to pick up an entire cheese wheel (and strapped it on the back of my bike). Chased by dogs. Slept in the snow. Pedaled a lot. – Campbell Levy
Study Break Biking in Centre Island, NY
I remember when it was finals time in high school my friend and I would bike between each other’s houses when we needed to take study breaks. Clearly we were more interested in biking than studying because we ended up clocking 70+ miles in two days! It was the perfect biking weekend: clear skies, sun shining, a canopy of tree shade, and the smell of a study-free summer fast approaching in the air.
– Victoria Selover
Cherry Creek Path in Denver, CO
The Cherry Creek Path is the perfect combination of urban bike path and scenic suburbia path, with beautiful views along the way. The downtown strip includes several old railroad pedestrian walkways above as you ride along the Platte River, offering a charming feel. The path offers a great escape for those that live downtown and features a local spin on art along the way.
– Molly Early
From Ski to Mud: Vail, CO
Ascending rapidly up the mountain in the gondola, holding my bike with one hand and a (rented) full-face helmet in the other, I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve skied these runs a thousand times before, but in the summer my familiar trails look fully unrecognizable. It’s a transition that I thought would be easier, but one quick tumble head-first over the handle bars has me thanking the rental-guy he up-sold me that full helmet. While the mechanics of skiing and biking are different, the thrill is the same. And, though I took quite a few bruising spills, it's one I highly recommend.
– Whitt Kelly