I recently returned to Boulder from a very extended road trip. During which, I spent nearly three months exploring the Western half of the United States, slept in a different spot every night, and woke up to a new place every morning. I saw each town with a fresh set of eyes, excited for whatever the days adventure may be. Each place was new and beautiful, but still, nothing beats my hometown. Having spent so long on the road taught me how to adventure, it showed me that exploring is not just a physical challenge; it is also a mental marathon. I was sad to return, sad that the novelty was over, but now, I am determined to wake up each morning, ready to view Boulder with a fresh set of eyes.

With a new sense of determination, I set out to find the novel in a very familiar place. One of my favorite finds so far is the Valmont bike course. The Valmont Bike Park is free and open from sun up to sun down (5:00am to 11:00pm), and is occasionally closed due to inclement weather. The park itself is over 40 acres and has a little bit of everything, making it suitable for people of all biking abilities, it is complete with a cyclocross course, pump courses, a slalom race course, and of course, jumps of all shapes and sizes.

Biker enjoying the course, photo credit: Robert Tadlock

The park is a great place to get in your cardio for the day, or to simply enjoy a good hangout and some great riding, conveniently located right in the heart of town. To get to the park, head east on Valmont Road and the park will be on the north side of the road a few blocks before 55^th Street. For those new to biking, I recommend The Glades, located near the pond, and for those with some serious skills, hop on anything and everything, but really, wear a helmet. I guarantee you’ll have a great time.

Check out the info here:

https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/valmont-bike-park

https://www.facebook.com/ValmontBikePark/photos_stream

Kelly Anderson