via static.bouldercolorado.gov

It’s no secret that Boulder is a very bike-friendly town. With bike trails spanning throughout the entire city, it makes transportation particularly convenient for anyone who owns a bike. Transportation aside, however, Boulder also has some particularly fun bike trails. Boulder‘s mountain biking Mecca, however, is Valmont Bike Park.

Valmont Bike Park is a mountain biker’s paradise. With nearly twenty trails ranging from every difficulty, there is something here for mountain bikers of all skill levels, and it’s free for everyone to access.

via avid4.com

Valmont Bike Park is still fairly new, opening back in June 2011. Since its opening, it has gained quite a reputation in Boulder. The park holds several mountain biking events, disc golf tournaments, and even will occasionally offer specialty events such as free movie showings. The real appeal of Valmont, however, is the expansive system of bike trails that weave throughout the park. Their website has a map of them, to give an idea of how expansive the park truly is. Valmont has some of the best bike trails a mountain biker could ask for, and they’re located conveniently off Valmont road in Boulder County. The tracks feature crazy jumps, giant wall-riding platforms, and even a dual slalom track where people can race against friends.

via ep1.pinkbike.org

Personally, I’ve been to Valmont many times. I’m nowhere close to being able to do any of the bigger jumps or the wall-ride platforms, but I have a blast biking along the intermediate trails. Their banked turns, gradual hills, and fast-paced bunny hops provide a roller coaster of a bike ride. One of my favorite runs is called “The Corkscrew,” which starts bikers at the top of a hill and weaves them downhill through a series of banked switchbacks. Valmont Bike Park is one of my personal favorite places in Boulder, and it’s free for everyone to enjoy. Just be sure to wear a helmet!