Rio Grande National Forest Cycling Spectacular vistas of mountains and meadows will reward mountain bikers who challenge the roads and trails of the Rio Grande National Forest. Most forest roads do not receive heavy vehicular travel in comparison to streets and highways. Even on a holiday weekend, an encounter with over a dozen vehicles on a twenty mile ride within the forest would be unusual except on the main road leading to developed recreation sites.
Forest roads are generally less steep than forest trails.
For beginner and intermediate bikers, forest roads are easier to ride than trails. Road or trail surfaces can change instantly from rocks to dirt, rutted to smooth, wet to dry, firm to soft. Drought or rain can turn a beginner trail into an expert trail. Some trails receive considerable horseback and foot travel. Please be considerate when overtaking or meeting these users.