Generally known as the birthplace of the mountain bike, Crested Butte is home to the best singletrack that Colorado has to offer. Boasting miles upon miles of high alpine bike trails, Crested Butte has something for everyone. Whether you’re after fast, smooth singletrack or a steep, technical challenge, Crested Butte delivers. Additionally, the town hosts exciting Crested Butte Mountain Bike Events, where riders can experience these legendary trails in a competitive or social setting. The town of Crested Butte sits at 9,000′, allowing for accessible rides through unmatched mountain scenery.
The Original Growler Endurance Mountain Bike Race
The Original Growler showcases most of the trails at the Hartman Rocks recreation area on BLM public lands. “Hartman’s,” as we call it, was chosen as one of the top 20 mountain biking destinations on BLM lands and offers a one-of-kind trail riding experience. If you have ridden Hartman’s, you know all about the magic of these high desert trails.
If you haven’t, you owe it to yourself as an experienced mountain biker to test your skills and fitness on the trails at Hartman Rocks. You’ll be forced to alternate relentlessly between fast and flow in seas of sagebrush and tricky and technical through weathered and twisted juniper on islands of granite and in the many micro canyons that pock this primal landscape. While there are no big climbs and the total vertical gain isn’t remarkable, the seesaw nature of the Growler course is a supreme test of all around mountain biking. Go ahead, commit. But be prepared to challenge your mind, your body and your skills. Race includes Saturday May 29, 2021, The Classic Growler – around 32-miles on the dirt (limited to 350 riders), Sunday May 30, 2021, The Pup (kid’s race)– around 20 miles on the dirt and Sunday May 30, 2021, The Big Bad – around 40 miles on the dirt.
When: May 24-25, 2025
Where: I Bar Ranch
Website: The Original Growler
Register: HERE
Junior Bike Week
Since 2016, the biggest kids bike party on the planet has been right here in Crested Butte, Coloradoo – the birthplace of mountain biking! Junior Bike Week is the only multi-day festival in the world that exclusively celebrates kids on bikes! There are events happening throughout the week for kids of all ages and abilities with everything from trail work and skills clinics to competitive racing.
When: June 25-29, 2025
Where: Crested Butte, CO.
Web: Junior Bike Week
Outerbike Crested Butte
What better place to access lift-serve cross country trails to test your dream bike? Unrivaled mountain scenery, flowy singletrack, and the state’s best wildflowers too. Combine all that with Colorado’s most genuine mountain town with a plethora of lodging and camping options. What’s not to love?
Western Spirit Cycling has partnered with Crested Butte Mountain Resort to provide a summer Outerbike in one of the birth places of the sport.
Crested Butte has always been high on the bucket list for hardcore riders, but now the new Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park and Crested Butte Mountain Bike Events have something for everyone. Hop on the lift to test the latest and greatest bikes on the classic Crested Butte rides, or ride the fun new trails for everyone at the base area. Repeat as needed. Ride your little heart out, soak up the impressive mountain views, then relax with a tasty beverage at the end of the day. Attendance is capped, so register early to get your spot!
When: August 16-18, 2024
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Web: Outerbike
The Grand Traverse
The Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Race is no ordinary mountain bike race. It is a point-to-point from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado. In total, bikers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountains with over 7,800′ of elevation gain. The course starts with a 3000′ ascent up Aspen Mountain before continuing deep into the Elk Mountains. This mountain bike race is not for the faint of heart.
When: August 31, 2025
Where: Crested Butte, CO.
Web: The Grand Traverse
Pearl Pass Tour
The oldest mountain bike event in the world is repeated year after year on a September weekend. The first tour happened in 1976 when a group of Crested Butte rowdies pedaled and pushed their one-speed klunkers over the 12,705 ft. pass and on into Aspen. The Tour now is a classic and historic 39-mile off-road ride from Crested Butte to Aspen over Pearl Pass at 12,705 feet. It’s the longest running organized mountain bike ride in the world.
The ride to Aspen is one day over Pearl Pass, which is an expert 38 mile ride. Needless to say, make sure you are in top shape if you plan to ride this tour.
When: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Where: Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum (start line)
Web: Pearl Pass Tour
Crested Butte Lodging:
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