Trip Summary Trip Dates: Sep 13 - Sep 19 Start - End Locations: Fruita, CO - Fruita, CO Days: 7   Level of Support: Full Surface: Dirt Riders: 20 Type: Supported   Meals: Catered meals Accommodations: Camping Physical Difficulty: Advanced  Technical Difficulty: Difficult Cost: $949 Booking Status: Plenty of Room

If red is the new black, as certain fashion mavens claim, then Fruita is the new Moab. What do we mean by this? Read on.

Fruita, Colorado, is a small community sitting at the far-western edge of Colorado, ten miles west of Grand Junction. When the region’s formerly thriving underground shale-oil industry slumped in the early 1980s, Fruita fell on rough times. The local oil refinery closed and unemployment soared. Meantime, nearby Moab, Utah—itself a one-time energy town whose economy had faltered after the uranium boom of the 1950s went bust—was rapidly evolving into what it arguably is today: the mountain-biking capital of the known universe.

That’s when Troy Rarick stepped up to the trailhead. Seeing what was happening in Moab, and knowing that some equally great riding in the Fruita area was going virtually untouched by fat tires, he and a partner established their Over the Edge Sports bike shop and began promoting Fruita as an epic mountain-biking destination. Fifteen years later, hundreds of miles of primo trails lace the public lands surrounding town, and Fruita’s gain is … well, your gain, too.

We’ll spend an entire week exploring this overflowing cornucopia of world-class trails, while basing out of a comfortable camp at the James M. Robb–Colorado River State Park (named in part for the visionary who was key to establishing the five distinct sections that make up this beautiful preserve). Each day we’ll feast on tasty offerings from the various and varied trails in the region, including selections from the Bookcliff/18 Road area, like Prime Cut, Kessell, and Chutes & Ladders; the Rabbit Valley (e.g. Westwater Mesa, Zion Curtain, and the Rim Trail); and sections of the legendary Kokopelli’s Trail, such as the Rustler’s Loops and Troy Built. The energy we’ll require to tackle all of this riding will be fortified with hearty cuisine.

Troy Rarick and his gang promote mountain biking first and foremost as sustainable tourism, urging low-impact camping and riding. Because they know the health of their business, and that of the very economy of Fruita, relies on keeping trails neat and narrow, their slogan is “Keep singletrack single.” And so we shall do our part to help boost the Fruita economy, while treading easy on the trail.

By the way, Fruita is also a recognized center of paleontology, with an estimated three hundred dinosaur digs active in the area. But remember, this trip is for young whippersnappers and old fossils alike. The only requirement is a love for awesome mountain biking, gorgeous scenery, and first-class food and companionship. See you in Fruita!

For more detailed information, see Supported trip logistics.

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