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The Roam Collective >> www.theroamcollective.org
Fruita Rides
Choose Your Own Adventure
Fruita Colorado boasts some of of the most unique and challenging riding in the US.
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Green/Beginner rides are indicated in our routes - look for anything rated for Skill Level 2-3.
Anyone who hasn't ridden in Moab/Fruita/Sedona should start on beginner trails (yes, YOU! Intermediate/blue trails here are often harder than most black and double black trails elsewhere)
ROAM FEST SKILLS RATING​
Our rating system is unique to Roam and we utilize these competency markers to indicate appropriate group rides (which varies based on trail system and terrain).
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Please familiarize yourself with your ROAM Skill Rating before joining any group rides.
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(FYI - our rating system does NOT play well with folks used to machine-built flow trail. For Sedona & Fruita - where terrain is rocky and just effing difficult, feel free to rate down until you've slapped a lap with us)
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SKILL LEVEL 1 - TOTES A NEWBIE
You've never ridden a mountain bike on an actual dirt trail before.
You can execute:
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Staying upright while pedaling.
SKILL LEVEL 2 - NOVICE
You have ridden mountain bikes on dirt trails a few times, but mostly everything about riding these contraptions is still a mystery...but you're game to learn!
You can execute:
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Skill Level 1
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One finger braking on both the front (left) and rear (right) brakes
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Riding with 50/50 pedals while not pedaling (pedals are "flat" or parallel to the ground)
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Pushing the shifter thingy...but being in the right gear might need some work still.
SKILL LEVEL 3 - STRONG NOVICE/BEGINNERMEDIATE
You enjoy mellow smooth trails... sometimes climbs come out of friggin' nowhere and you forget to shift, or those rocks get a little cray cray and you prefer to walk-it-out. You are still not entirely comfortable riding roots, rocks, switchbacks, and the steep stuff.
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You can execute:
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Skill Level 2
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Controlled braking at speed
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Riding while STANDING and being able to coast with 50/50 pedals
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Can get over small rocks, roots, and obstacles...but you're not sure how you're doing it.
SKILL LEVEL 4 - INTERMEDIATE (NOT RELATED TO TRAIL RATING)
You are starting to get the hang of shifting, pedaling through more technical features like rocks and uneven terrain. You are making it up shorter climbs, and getting a little rowdy going down hill....although you prefer keeping your wheels on the ground.
You can execute:
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Skill Level 3
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Controlled braking at faster speeds
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Shifting - you anticipate terrain and can shift accordingly
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Standing - you're balanced and comfortable standing up with 50/50 pedals and can maintain level pedals during a descent.
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Compressing your suspension to get over obstacles like rocks and bigger roots.
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Confidence rolling over obstacles that do not require wheels to leave the ground.
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Using a dropper post to get that seat the HECK OUTTA YOUR WAY!
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Switchbacks and turns that aren't too steep
SKILL LEVEL 5 - STRONG INTERMEDIATE (NOT RELATED TO TRAIL RATING)
You're confident riding most blue trails and willing to dabble in black trails, although you're positive you'll be walking most technical bits. You can comfortably use your front and back brakes when different braking pressure is required (i.e. switchbacks, steeper sections of trail), and your wheels even leave the ground (at least a little) on jumps & drops.
You can execute:
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Skill Level 4
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Controlled front braking independent from rear braking and vise versa
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Anticipating changes in terrain and shifting smoothly and often
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Front wheel lifts to get wheel up or over an obstacle that is not rollable (up to 6 inches)
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Letting go of the brakes and standing on 50/50 pedals on descents, & maintaining speed as long as you can see what's ahead of you.
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Trail scanning and cornering techniques such as looking through turns.
SKILL LEVEL 6 - ADVANCED
You feel confident braking, using momentum to crush terrain, and are comfortable shifting and using that seat post dropper all dang day. You can shred through tight trees, loose dirt, snaggly rock gardens, and twisty turns, all while lookin' and feelin' good. Oh and fast/steep descents? Bring it! Can ride most features on most black trails.
You can execute:
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Skill Level 5
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You are confident in your handling skills on a variety of singletrack
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You can shift your bodyweight to keep traction on steep climbs, and climbing technical terrain is totally in your bag of tricks.
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Berms? Braaaap! Timing and coordination through berms and tight turns is dialed, and you are comfortable with bike-body separation to keep speed and momentum through the exit.
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Confidence on fast or steep descents with a little air time on jumps and drops
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You are comfortable with wheels leaving the ground
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SKILL LEVEL 7 - EXPERT
You eat trail for breakfast. You are comfortable riding black & double black trails and aggressive terrain with complete control over your speed and your bike. You rarely walk on descents, and can hop or wheel lift over larger obstacles that are not rollable. Slow tech. Fast tech. You want all the tech.
You can execute:
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Skill Level 6
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Confidently riding black trails in Canada, Washington, Moab, Sedona, & other spicy areas
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Climbing technical "bitchy" climbs and switchbacks are easy peasy
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Clearing table top jumps, large drops (over 4 feet), and all the sketchiness the trail has for you.
SKILL LEVEL 8 - PRO PRO
You literally ride mountain bikes professionally (sorry roadies/cross badasses...just because you can suffer fast doesn't make you a competent mountain biker)
Congratulations...we have beer and extra snacks since you're probably broke and hungry.
GRAND VALLEY TRAIL SYSTEMS
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The Grand Valley is home to over 230 miles of trail from strider-friendly Kessel Run to locals favorite (for the hardcore) Gunny Loop.
18 ROAD TRAIL SYSTEM
Roam Fest takes place in the 18 Road system with trail access seconds away from our venue. Known as the "family friendly" trail system in the area, 18 Road is a great place to start your adventure in the Grand Valley.
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Open to e-bikes? YES!
Easiest Trail: Kessel Run
Challenging Trail: Zippity
Most Famous Trail: PBR (Pumps, Bumps, & Rollers)
Number of Trails: 39
Fun Facts/Good to Know:
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Opened to ebikes in April 2022.
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Where everyone new to the area should start their weekend on the bike. It only gets more challenging from here.
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The cliffs in this system are called The Book Cliffs and are part of the world's longest landlocked escarpment!
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Local speak: "I'm headed out to ride 18 Road!" (it's just "18 Road")
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KOKOPELLI TRAIL SYSTEM
Named for the infamous Kokopelli Trail (which starts/terminates in the main parking lot), the Kokopelli Trail System boasts stunning views of the Colorado River and plenty of opportunities to practice your rock maneuvers on these primarily technical trails.
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Open to e-bikes? Nope!
Easiest Trail: Rustlers
Challenging Trail: The rest of them. But Mack Ridge/Lower Moore Fun if you like hard things.
Most Famous Trail: Horsethief Bench
Number of Trails: 38
Fun Facts/Good to Know:
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Even the easiest trail, Rustlers, is a bump up on the challenge-meter from anything at 18 Road. Don't be intimidated though - it's easy to walk the bits that are hard & the views are absolutely worth it!
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Local speak: "You wanna ride Koko?"/"You wanna ride Loma?" Locals often refer to Kokopelli as "Loma" because trails are off the Loma exit.
LUNCH LOOPS TRAIL SYSTEM
Shhh... don't tell anyone how epic the Lunch Loops trails are. If you are looking for some of the spiciest, most rewarding technical riding in the country, head out to Lunch Loops. If it feels hard, it's because it is!
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Open to e-bikes? Up Little Park Road there is a network of motorized trails...but most mtb routes have non-motorized classification, so no ebikes friends.
Easiest Trail: Kids Meal
Challenging Trail: The whole system.
Most Famous Trail: Gunny Loop or The Ribbon
Number of Trails: 62
Fun Facts/Good to Know:
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If you can ride here, you can ride anywhere.
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Likely to see more urban pedestrian trail users in this system.
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Local speak: "Anyone up for a Lite Lunch?" This fun/challenging route is the standard lunch break ride for locals, hence "Lunch Loops"
RIDE ROUTES
Enjoy these routes OYO or get a Guided Ride add-on pass
We highly recommend downloading the Trailforks app and upgrading to Trailforks Pro (yes, it's 100% worth it)
NO E-BIKES at Kokopeli and Lunch Loops Trail Systems
Also, apologies about so many dude videos...it's what is available to showcase the terrain.
KOKOPELLI - Mary's Wranglers Loop
Minimum Skill Level: 6 (or 5 up for a challenge)
Pack lots of snacks for this ride. Much of this route is on fast and flowy singletrack, but don't be fooled by the intermediate trail ratings - there are more than enough rocky technical moves to test your skills and give you a reason to hike-a-bike (on Steve's Loop especially).
KOKOPELLI - Hawkeye
Minimum Skill Level: 6+
This is an advanced route that is best to do in the morning as many riders use Hawkeye as their exit from the trail system. Mack Ridge as a descent is technical and rocky. This ride may look short but hours could be spent sessioning the technical maneuvers this route has to offer.
