Mountain Bike: Park City. Jared Hargrave
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bikers are excited to ride. But pedaling in the mud damages the trails in many ways. First, bike tires leave ruts behind, which channel water to low spots that create puddles. Then trail users go around those puddles, which eventually widens the trail. Keep singletrack single! Wait for trails to dry out before riding. A good rule to live by: If mud is sticking to your tires, it’s time to turn around.
In the summer, Park City’s weather is very pleasant. The trails are dry, even dusty, and the temperature rarely gets above 90 degrees. Likewise, overnight lows stay well above freezing. However, with trails at elevations from 5000 feet to nearly 10,000 feet, there is a lot of variability in temperature range and weather. Although it doesn’t rain very much in Park City, afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially during late summer’s monsoon season. It’s important to check the weather forecast before heading out for a ride. Skies could be sunny and warm when you hit the trail down low, then turn into a nightmare of hail and lightning as soon as you top out on an exposed mountaintop (I know this from experience). The high elevation also means the sun can be quite intense, making a cool day feel a lot hotter than it really is. Be sure to drink plenty of water and slather on that sunscreen.
Autumn is my favorite time of year to ride, with cooler temperatures and brilliant fall leaves to enjoy. A little more rainfall leaves behind tacky trails that bike tires stick to. We call it “hero dirt.” Unfortunately, the autumn window is far too short, and winter always arrives too soon.
SKILLS AND FITNESS
Mountain biking is a serious workout, especially at an elevation of 8000 feet. Even the easiest beginner trails at this altitude can throw your cardio system into max–heart rate territory. Before you embark on your first singletrack adventure, it’s a good idea to be sure that your body is up to the task. Same goes with skills. It’s best to start on level, smooth trails before tackling steep drops and rock gardens. Practice and get fit on short, easy rides, then work your way up to longer and more challenging routes.
WILDLIFE
The mountains around Park City are teeming with wildlife, and you have a good chance of encountering animals along the trail. Moose are perhaps the most common. It’s important to give moose a very wide berth, especially if a mother and her calves are hanging out on the trail. I’ve had a few experiences with an angry moose where it was best to simply turn around and ride back the way I came. These large mammals weigh on average 1800 pounds when full grown and can sprint at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. If they feel threatened, they can be dangerous to humans.
Along with moose you may see deer and elk, especially in the fall during the rut. Autumn is also hunting season, so wear bright colors out on trails this time of year. There aren’t many places around Park City where hunting is legal, but it’s best to be safe. Also, you may encounter cows on private land where cattle are free to graze.
TRANSPORTATION
Each featured route includes driving directions and parking locations, but you can mountain bike many of Park City’s trails without ever using your car. Park City Transit is a free bus system, and its entire fleet is fueled by biodiesel. The bus routes and stops can drop you off at or near several popular trailheads. Eleven bus routes go from Summit Park to Deer Valley and all points between. Log onto the Bus Tracker page online at www.parkcity.org/departments/transit-bus or use the MyStop mobile app to track buses in real time.
The buses are bike friendly from early June until September 1. Only six bikes are allowed on the bus at a time (three on the front bike rack and three on board). The Park City Transit buses are so convenient that locals frequently do “bus laps,” where we can ride the bus over 1000 vertical feet above town, descend singletrack back to the bus stop, then do it all over again. It’s like a lift-served bike park, only with a bus, and it’s free.
The purple and orange routes to Deer Valley and Empire Pass offer the best options for a variety of mountain bike skill levels. Hop on the bus and ride it to Empire Pass (purple route) or Silver Lake at Deer Valley (orange route) and choose the ride down that’s right for you. Bus laps may be lazy, but sometimes we like to get our gravity fix without earning it.
GEAR
So you want to be a mountain biker? Then you need to carry the right gear. First of all, you need a mountain bike. In this modern era there is no shortage in the variety of bikes you can ride. There are three wheel sizes—26, 27.5, and 29 inches. You can ride a hardtail bike or a full suspension one. Frames come in aluminum or carbon fiber. Mountain bikes are even categorized as downhill, enduro, trail, or cross-country. What bike you choose is really up to your personal style and preference. But for Park City’s trails, which are mostly buff and fast singletrack with a few technical sections, I suggest a full suspension trail or enduro bike. However, many of the smoother trails can be a lot of fun on a basic hardtail. Really, the most fun bike is the one you are currently riding.
Besides the bike, you’ll most likely need some specialized gear:
•Helmet
•Sunglasses
•Bike gloves
•Mountain bike shoes (either clipless or flats)
•Padded shorts or chamois
•Multitool that includes Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
•Spare tire tube
•Patch kit
•Tire levers
•Tire plugs (if you run tubeless tires)
•Air pump or CO2 cartridges
•Chain lube
•Chain tool and extra link
•First-aid kit
•Water bottle or hydration bladder
Tire-level view of the RTS Loop (Route 19)
It’s a good idea to carry all of these items, just to be prepared for any bike mechanical failures such as broken chains or flat tires. I like to carry a small backpack or hip pack, but you can divide these items up into frame bags. I also bring a packable rain shell in case of cloudburst or unexpected chilly weather.
In addition to the above mountain biking gear, it’s always a good idea to pack the Ten Essentials, a list developed by The Mountaineers. The point of this list has always been to answer two basic questions: Can you prevent emergencies and respond positively should one occur (items 1–5)? And can you safely spend a night—or more—outside (items 6–10)? Use this list as a guide and tailor it to the needs of your outing:
1.Navigation
2.Headlamp
3.Sun protection
4.First aid
5.Knife
6.Fire
7.Shelter
8.Extra food
9.Extra water
10.Extra clothes
Obviously, these lists are comprehensive. Packing everything on them would be overkill on short three-to six-mile rides. If the weather is perfect and the forecast looks clear, some food, water, sunscreen, and your repair kit are all you’re likely to need. It feels great to ride without the weight