First, let me say that the guys and gals at Kokopelli Bike shop in
Cortez have put out a fine local map of rides in the
Dolores/Cortez/Mancos area. What do you want, slick rock, technical,
alpine? it is all within an hour drive, secluded, quiet, and beautiful.
A group of 5 started at a parking area just outside of Dolores, to ride
Italian Canyon and Bean Canyon. Italian Canyon was just the kind of ride
I needed after riding 5 out of the last 6 days, pretty flat, no
climbing, smooth and fun. The trail winds amongst tall aspen and pines,
around scrub oak and downed timber, usually with views of the Wilson
range around Lizard head pass or the Dolores River valley. Never real
fast down, nor real slow going up, you can stay in your middle chain
ring or better the whole time and just pedal. A nice change of pace from
the typical suffer-fest of long, high altitude climbs we so often ride.
Once we got back to the truck, after 10 miles, 2 of our team had to peel
off. We were left with myself, Cindy (my wife) and our friend Gretchen,
a stronger group than the original 5. We got a snack and hit Bean
Canyon. The tread was similar for a bit, smooth and fast, as we have had
a lot of rain lately, no dust, a little soft, but nearly perfect. Bean
canyon does have a steep downhill, but not very technical, and a short
climb of about 700ft over 2 miles. This trail is so infrequently ridden,
that at times it felt like a ride through the woods without a trail. Not
that route finding is hard, but with all the leaves and needles, much of
the time the trail was nearly indistinguishable from the rest of terrain
.... pretty cool.
Back at the truck with almost 23 miles under our tires, it was time to
do the unimaginable, stop at the local brewery for beer, pizza and
calzone. I know it is unusual for bikers to drink beer and eat pizza,
but if you ever get a chance to try it, Dolores River Brewery is not a
bad place to start.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
Owner/Operator of the Pekingnese Ranch.