Summit County cyclists have a virtual meeting place
Bicycling is one of Summit County’s favorite summer activities. Ski rental shops become bike rental shops in May. Tourists, who obviously haven’t been on a bike in years, are a common sight on Frisco, Dillon and Breckenridge bike paths and sidewalks from June to September. 
Summit County has more than 70 miles of bike paths and one can ride all around the county on them. Phase one of an important section of bike path over Swan Mountain opened recently, and both motorists and cyclists were happy to see that piece of it finished. Swan Mountain road is steep, narrow and winding, and can be a difficult place for cars and bicycles to coexist. Plans are for the last half to be finished in the next year, assuming funds for it are successfully raised.
It is not just tourists that use the bike paths. There are many groups of very active cyclists, from the seniors who ride together regularly and seriously, to racers, both on mountain bikes and road bikes. While hiking on our trails, we often run into mountain bikers who are doing the same trail a little faster, although not necessarily more easily, than those of us who are walking.
The Leadville 100 is a well known single track race that happens in August each year. Copper Mountain hosts several road bike races, among them, the Courage Classic. Another favorite is the Triple Bypass, going from Evergreen to Avon, crossing three major passes in 120 miles. Ride the Rockies is probably the best known week long ride in the Rockies, held every summer. The venue changes every year, but it frequently stops in Frisco, as it did this year. 
A friend of mine, Jared Roy, has started a new bicycle forum with the goal of connecting cyclists together. Jared is an avid bike racer, and his goal originally was to let people hook up for rides to the races via the website, but it has grown to include all types of cyclists with many different needs. The website, www.summitbiking.com is designed to let people know trail conditions, volunteer opportunities, events, race reports and photos. It also lets people find riding and training partners. Both novices and experts are invited to sign on and join the forum.
A recent article in the Summit Daily doubled the number of the people on the forum. Let’s see if a little additional exposure will double it again!
September 1st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Joanne,
Great list of resources and information for cyclists in Summit County. I feel tired just looking at the picture of the bikers going up that hill.
September 1st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Rita, I would rather walk up the hills and ride up them, but I have some good friends that love to bike anywhere and everywhere!
September 25th, 2007 at 1:45 am
I would rather hike than bike but it is nice to have a spot on the web for bikers.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Ashley, Jared as done a good job setting it up and getting readers to it. He is an avid cyclist!