FATMAP by Strava

The Gentlemen's Loop

Buena Vista

Salida

An OG Buena Vista Ride looping the Midland Trail and dirt roads in Four Mile.

Mountain Biking Moderate

Distance
18 km
Ascent
449 m
Descent
449 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.6 km
High Point
2.9 km
Gradient
The Gentlemen's Loop Map

The Gentlemen’s Loop is one of the OG Buena Vista mountain bike rides. This route forms a loop with the Midland Trail singletrack and a series of dirt roads in the Fourmile Travel Management Area.

Description

The Midland Trail trail follows the path of an old railroad grade, which offers flat, non-technical pedaling for most of its length. These sections of singletrack along the old railroad grade are about as flat and easy as mountain biking ever gets. Along the way, this trail passes through a beautiful landscape—either narrow gorges where the railroad grade was carved through sheer rock cliffs, or stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains.

Where the railroad grade crosses narrow, steep washes, new singletrack bypasses around the locations where railroad trestles once stood. These sections of singletrack can be somewhat rocky and tricky. These rocky sections are definitely not true beginner features, but it’s about as easy as mountain biking gets here in BV.

Once at the end of the Midland Trail, turn left and climb high into the Fourmile Travel Management Area. The dirt roads that are utilized to create this loop are all relatively non-technical, but they do require a respectable amount of climbing to reach the high point and complete the loop.

Consequently, the Gentlemen’s Loop is known as a cross country loop that’s ideal for riders looking to train, or XC riders who want to bang out some fast miles without the technical challenge.

Difficulty

Moderate

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability, with unavoidable obstacles 8in/20cm tall or less. Other obstacles such as rock gullies and steep sections may exist. Ideal for lower intermediate riders.

Low Exposure

1 out of 4

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between April and October

Features

  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • Road sections
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area