For one of my first solo rides on the new Ciclon, I decided to go check out the Timber trail. Although I don’t think this trail is that new, I’ve never done it, and I had heard it was open to bikers this year. That and Eric from PUSH said it was one of his new favorites. So heading out from the house I took the usual route of Michaud Lane up and over to Lori. Here’s a picture part way up Michaud just before the steep loose rock section. Good excuse for a breather:
Pressing on I make it down and over to Lori. I went right at the first parking lot and started the trail there. Not more than 300 feet from the beginning around the first bend you see the sign where the Timber trail splits off. The Valley trail continues along the foot hills heading south whereas the timber tail starts immediately climbing west up the ridge.
The Trail winds its way the ridge for a mile or so switching back and forth every now and then. Eventually you get further into the woods and it becomes single track. Its climbing the whole way and I wasn’t quite expecting that but whatever, it was looking to be a great ride. The farther up you get the more switchbacks, then more switchbacks, then really tight switchbacks. I had to dab on several of them just to make the turns. I don’t have my chops down for hopping corners quite yet (especially going uphill).
After quite of bit of this… literally zig zagging the whole time, just before the top I got to a nice clearing with a great view of the park below with the reservoir and Fort Collins out in the distance. The downhill was an absolute blast, fairly technical but rolling and ridable the whole way, still having to dab on a handful of the switchbacks. Then trucked home… probably a 20 miles or so overall.
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