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SINGLE-TRACK MIND (TRAILS)If you check out the various Utah online and printed mountain bike guides, you’ll see that the Skyline Trail is considered a “must ride” singletrack for its long, demanding climbs, wildflowers and unbelievable views as you ride the ridge between the Ogden metropolitan area to the west and lush Ogden Valley to the east. However, that 30-mile Olympic-caliber section of trail represents about 10% of what’s available to fat tire fanatics in the area.ROADIES WELCOME (ROADS)The city of Ogden is currently finalizing its application to the League of American Bicyclists to obtain designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. If granted, Ogden will be the first city in Utah to obtain such status. Beyond the paperwork and clerical elements of the application, dozens of community players have worked tirelessly to expand bike routes, improve signage, increase education among cyclists and motorists, implement legislation and install community bike racks.BIKING (TRAILS)WHEELER CREEK TO COLDWATER OVERLOOKLocals hit Wheeler Creek as soon as it opens in the spring. Wedged in a limestone slot canyon at the head of Ogden Canyon (the trailhead is just below Pineview Dam), the trail parallels Wheeler Creek itself on pebbly double track for the first 1.9 miles to the Art Nord Trailhead. From there, Maples Trail offers 3.3 miles of singletrack through grass and wildflower meadows, stands of quaking aspen, oak and maple where you’re likely to see moose and deer. Foot bridges have been installed at strategic water crossings and the transitions from the trail to the bridges are typically seamless. The Maples Trail tops out at a connector. Turning south shoots you over to Snowbasin on a short two-track section that connects you into the entire Snowbasin trail system. Turning north sends you on incredibly buffed out singletrack to the Coldwater Overlook. The sustained climb is easier than you think and the resulting view is nothing short of epic. Plus, it comes with the benefit of a velvet-smooth, high-speed descent. GREEN POND & SNOWBASIN TRAIL SYSTEMA 20-minute drive from downtown up Trappers Loop to Snowbasin Road puts you at Green Pond trailhead. This endless system of singletrack is rugged, technical and steep, but has more opportunities to open it up than the tight trail systems that are typical of ski resorts. A good portion of the Xterra Mountain Championships takes place on this trail system, which is a testament to its toughness. Trail maps are available at Snowbasin, but the eenie-meenie-mynie-moe approach at all forks in the trail can be fun, too. Basically, downhill to your car. Length: varied SKYLINE TRAILAs part of the Great Western Trail (stretching from Mexico to Canada), the Skyline Trail has received its share of ink with the out-and-back north section from North Ogden Divide to Ben Lomond Peak achieving the most notoriety. However, the south section has a “no breaks up, no brakes down” 18-mile loop option that every hardcore mountain biker has to do. Begin at the Pineview Trailhead on the west side of Pineview Reservoir (called Windsurfer Beach by locals...don’t get confused). Out of the parking lot you’ll grind up 5 miles of singletrack steeps. You’ll hit a fork where you can opt for another 4 miles of climbing to Lewis Peak or about 3.5 miles to North Ogden Divide. The last mile approaching the Divide is a wicked descent. Very technical, hike-a-bike stuff. At the Divide, descend down the Pioneer Trail into Ogden Valley. This section is an improved wagon road with a recognizable single “best descent” line that dumps you into the community of Spring Mountain. Pedal a chunk of pavement past Snowcrest School and whip into Eats of Eden for a frosty beverage. Then it’s a short combination of road, paved trail and singletrack along the edge of the lake back to the trailhead. Length: 9.5 miles to trailhead to divide Difficulty: Difficult Elevation: 4,950’ to 7,750’ BONNEVILLE SHORELINE TRAIL — EAST OGDEN BENCHOgden’s East Bench is home to a spaghetti bowl of singletrack trails. So many options exist for accessing the trail network that it’s impossible to highlight any one option. Official trailheads can be found at Rainbow Gardens (at the mouth of Ogden Canyon) and at the tops of 22nd Street, 29th Street and 36th Street. Whether you have an hour or a full day, endless options exist ranging from 20-mile out-and-backs to short 6-mile loops. Fifteen minutes of pedaling on any piece of the singletrack puts you above the city where you’ll see wicked sunsets, dip into canyons, cross streams and cling to the edge of ledges. This trail sees most of its action in the spring when wildflowers are popping, the high-country trails are still under a blanket of snow and local mountain bikers are trying to get their legs back. Because of its proximity to the city, you’ll share the trail with other bikers as well as trail runners and their four-legged canine friends.Length: varied Difficulty: Easy to Difficult Elevation: 4,400’ to 5,680’ BONNEVILLE SHORELINE TRAIL — NORTH SECTIONIn theory, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail should be a nice, level bombastic piece of singletrack that is constructed along the visible bench created by ancient Lake Bonneville. However, cliff faces and private land issues have conspired to throw a few ups and downs into the mix. When completed, the trail should be a contiguous hundred-plus mile adventure that stretches the entire length of the east bench of the Wasatch Front. One of the newest sections of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail begins at the Rainbow Trailhead at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. Like any new trail, it’s not buffed out yet and provides some fun technical sections complete with loose rock, roots and tight spots. A short climb gets you to the shoreline where a mixture of double-track service roads and newly cut singletrack works its way north. Signage is not currently placed, but is in the works. If you don’t mind putting your navigation skills to the test or riding by trial and error, you’ll encounter many interesting canyons along the way.Length: 5 miles one way Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Elevation: 4,400’ to 5,200’ CYCLING (ROADS)KING OF THE MOUNTAINIf you’re looking to fry your lungs and legs, take Harrison Blvd. North to 3100 North and head over North Ogden Divide. Make the wild descent into Eden and around the east side of Pineview Reservoir to Old Snowbasin Road (State Road 226). This lightly trafficked grind has a couple of false summits but eventually tops out at Snowbasin before descending down Trappers Loop to Mountain Green. Close the loop by shooting Weber Canyon back down to Ogden. Approximately 50 miles. MORGAN VALLEY DRIVE TO EAST CANYONLocal roadies congregate at Old Farm Market (the Sinclair gas station in Mountain Green) to begin this popular out and back route. Cruise along the frontage road to Peterson and take the underpass under I-84. At the bottom of the hill, you hit Morgan Valley Drive. Stick to Morgan Valley Drive all the way to Porterville where you’ll catch State Road 66 and make the climb to East Canyon Reservoir. You can turn around at the dam or add a few more miles around the lake to East Canyon Resort for a Gatorade before making the return trip. Approximately 35-45 miles depending on your turnaround point. WEST WEBER COUNTY FARM COUNTRYThe western portion of Weber County is primarily rural with lightly trafficked roads perfect for spinning your legs out on flat land. Be warned: long straight roads can suddenly end at a locked farm gate. It’s best to map your route out beforehand if you want to avoid excessive backtracking. The development, protection and promotion of non-motorized travel in the greater Ogden area are the mission of Weber Pathways, a non-profit trail advocacy group. They are your best source of trail and trailhead information through their website and printed maps. OGDEN RIVER PARKWAYSometimes you don’t feel like pushing your big ring in the drops, but you want to turn a crank. That’s when you take your cruiser to Rainbow Gardens and jump on the Ogden River Parkway. A paved trail winds along the lush banks of the Ogden River from the Eccles’ Dinosaur Park to Fort Bueneventura State Park. Pack a picnic and take advantage of one of the many parks and pavilions along the way.
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