Fruita, CO, a little town situated in the “True West” of the great state, has made incredible strides to increase visits primarly from the outdoor cycling community, becoming second only to, and sometimes on par with, Moab, UT, as a mountain biking mecca.
Founded in 1884 at the head of the Colorado National Monument, local shops and businesses have evolved to serve those who come to the high desert for jaw dropping singletrack, monumental hikes and annual food, music and sport festivals.
Fruita’s diverse offerings of outdoor activities makes it SGB’s Outdoor Destination Pick for September 2015.
Given its rocky landscape and growing focus on performance and outdoor recreation, most prominently cycling, Fruita is home to some of the best mountain and road biking routes in the southwest. In fact, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) began its IMBA Epic trails in Fruita. These rides are classified based on the most demanding, mostly singletrack courses in a natural setting. Epic for IMBA brands a truly backcountry cycling experience, both technically challenging and visually stunning. Fruita’s scenic byways of dramatic, giant-sized landforms naturally draw road bikers, bike packers and gravel grinders, and the area prides itself on offering something for every style of cyclist.
Photo Credit Tim DaCosta Photography
Here are some ways to swing a visit:
- Reward your staff with a retreat in Fruita. Bring along some of your best customers too. It is cheaper than a major metropolitan area and will be sure to enrich people’s lives.
- Perform company gear testing in the desert landscape. Tap into the local chamber who can connect you with experts on every nook and cranny of the valley.
- Relocate so you can actually live and work surrounded by trails. The Grand Valley region is home to several cycling industry businesses.
- Cycle, then go four-wheeling, golf, hike, go to the rodeo, go fishing. Make it a trip with friends even if they are less inclined to get in the saddle. You can ride while they trek.
Fruita was once a well-kept secret known only to locals and Colorado mountain bikers looking for something closer than Moab. Now the city draws thousands of mountain biking and trail enthusiasts every year, with those numbers continuing to grow, with restaurants, coffee shops and amenities quickly following. Enjoy the solitude of the trails and tracks this Fall and experience a unique and authentic recreation destination.
