The logistics of putting together a bike trip from across the state to across the country are not always easy. There’s the bike debate: to rent or to ship? The lodging debate amongst Southwest Colorado’s unique small towns: Telluride or Ridgway or Ouray or Durango? Where to eat, shop, walk, drive and simply rest up before taking on the 215-mile bike route from the high mountain terrain to lower lying red rock country. Acclimating is also a concern especially for those traveling from low elevation or sea level.

Let us help you iron out the details. We have a slew of travel packages to choose from. One of the best choices is staying in our hometown of Ridgway. Ridgway is centrally located between Telluride and Montrose,  and as Telluride is in the heart of its very busy festival season during summer, finding lodging, parking and dining are more difficult. Ridgway is also located about 800 feet lower in elevation than Telluride so acclimating is easier here.

We will be working with Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa in the heart of Ridgway for lodging and dining discounts. We’ll also help you with shipping or renting mountain bikes as well as any of your equipment needs. Call us for details! 970.626.3033

Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa, Ridgway, CO

For many, beginning a bike adventure with San Juan Huts finds you first at one of our regional airports. Whether you’re flying into Montrose, Grand Junction, Durango or Telluride, we’ve got you covered. As part of summer 2012′s  travel packages, we’re offering all of the info you need to connect up with a shuttle wherever you find yourself.

Poison Spider Bicycles & Porcupine Shuttles shuttle you to and from Moab

Shuttle services and prices vary widely, but we’re happy to help you with just the right one. There are flat rates, group rates and individual rates. If you choose our Ridgway-based package, we’ll arrange for two nights of double occupancy lodging, airport pickup/dropoff, and trailhead or town-to-town dropoff/pickup. Call us for more info!

And if you choose to ride the shorter version, our 4 night/five day trip, we’ll set you up with a shuttle for your return from your ending destination at either Paradox or Gateway huts.

Let us take the hassle out of the shuffle with convenient shuttles.

Outside Magazine rated San Juan Hut Systems #1 for the traditionalist hut-to-hut mountain bike trips. We also garnered the esteemed title as “the original hut-to-hut bike trip.” And, well, it’s true.

The best way to know what’s ready to ride is to just get out there and ride it. Snow can linger on north facing terrain and mud can last in the shadier zones, but hike-a-bike is just part of riding in spring in Southwest Colorado. And when it’s dry, fast single track is ready, you’re ready to ride it.

For single track conditions in Durango, check out Trails 2000. Currently, they’re reporting that both Animas Mountain and Dallas Mountain Park are good to go. Overend Mountain Park and Powerline are still a little snowy and muddy but in fair condition.

In Cortez, the word is the famous and fun Phil’s World is ready to ride, and at Boggy Draw and Bean Canyon in neighboring Dolores, fair conditions exist with areas of mud.

Here in Ridgway, the Rock Quarry (a.k.a. Angel Ridge, World Class, Mountain Lion Alley, etc.) is in good, dry condition with spots of mud.

Remember: It’s best to ride what’s ready as muddy and snowy single track makes rutted single track once ridden–and no one likes that.

Skiing on snow is much more fun than trying to bike it. Patience…

All you Repeat Offenders with San Juan Huts mileage under your belt, we heard ya!

What is absolutely crucial for a rider to take on the 215 -mile Durango to Moab or Telluride to Moab hut to hut trip, and what can you ditch?

Responses ranged from the very wise and simple-a Gortex windblock shell jacket-to the celebratory-wine in a bag, anyone? One rider brought too much gear as is the tendency for some folks and ended up shipping some unnecessary belongings back home from the tiny Gateway Post Office. Other advice was as straightforward as bring a change of clothes to avoid the 24-hour lycra adornment. Smart.

Our favorite: A solar charger for your phone or camera (there is no electricity at the huts) so that you can take photos and send them to us!

Thanks everyone for your input! And be sure to keep checking in on our Facebook page!

Riding to the Gateway Hut mid-summer

Here in Southwest Colorado in spring it’s flip-flop weather one day, Sorels the next. With iffy spring conditions, summer sounds real appealing and perhaps far off. But it’s time to book your bike trip. Do you know when the huts are available?

Both the Telluride and Durango to Moab routes open in June, but dates vary due to high elevation hut locations where snow can fall and linger past the summer solstice.

Telluride to Moab: June 2, 2012 

(High elevation huts include Last Dollar Hut at 11,000 feet and Spring Creek Hut at 9,100 feet)

Durango to Moab: June 15, 2012 

(High elevation huts include Bolam Pass Hut at 11,411 feet and Black Mesa Hut at 10,625 feet)

Remember, too, when booking your hut trip to keep in mind winter can make an early appearance, as early as late August. But late September is generally the time we warn riders most about potential snowfall. Be prepared!

Our summer season is short, but oh so sweet!

March wasn’t exactly abundant in precip like it can be. But rather wind and sun defined Southwest Colorado’s weather last month with all-time record high temps recorded across the state. Today, however, winter makes a comeback with some moisture in the air and snow on the ground. Winds are accompanying this storm still with gusts reaching 30-40 mph.

What will April hold? Perhaps winter conditions. It wouldn’t be unusual for decent snowfall in April and May and …

Racer Marcel Medued kept an accurate account of race stats–or rather his Garmin did. Photo courtesy of Summer Ruckman

Post-race Corona with racer Rick Murray and Joe Ryan, in the background, looking for his own. Photo courtesy of Summer Ruckman

Racer Jaimie Palmer dons a cardboard visor in true Sneffels Half Loop fashion: practical, raw and nothing fancy. Photo courtesy of Summer Ruckman

Top Five Finishers: (left to right) Pat O’Neil (fifth-5:49:30), Scott Simmons (second-5:25:44), Brian Smith (first-5:25:39), Billy Laird (third-5:39:56), and Janelle Smiley (fourth-5:45:36). Photo courtesy of Summer Ruckman

Post race burger and beer party with grill meister Andy Krueger at the helm serving up racers Joe Ryan, Lance Waring and Baker Bent. Photo courtesy of Summer Ruckman

After the race, Baker Bent slipped into something more comfortable, or did he? Baker’s dressed in his girlfriend’s skinny jeans. Race organizer Nikki Campbell looks on in wonder. Photo courtesy Summer Ruckman

NOAA 7-Day Forecast: Sunny.

March has been what the Colorado Avalanche Information Center calls just plainly “unusual.” Ridgway’s high temperatures this week should reach the upper 50s and near the same in our neighboring mountain towns. Spring has sprung.

The snow is still holding on the trails and “now’s the time to go high,” says Joe Ryan. Spring skiing should be shaping up and while the avalanche danger has dropped, springtime snowpack and wet avalanches are a big concern. Caution is still advised. And trips into the huts are a nice safe alternative.

 Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi 55 F

Congratulations to all! Thank you for racing with us!

Join us this summer on the same course, without skis and with trail runners! Race details to be announced, stay tuned.