Mountain bike trails in Fruita, Colorado (video)

November 5, 1:15 PMSalt Lake City Outdoor Recreation ExaminerJared Hargrave

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In Utah, there is so much awesome mountain biking that it's hard to justify traveling to a different state to ride. But the mountain bike trails in Fruita, Colorado are worth taking a trip over the state line. There is an ongoing comparison these days between Fruita and Moab, and in terms of desert riding, they are very similar. Moab has all the slickrock, but both locations have singletrack rides. What makes Fruita different is the fact that all the trails were cut with bikes in mind, giving the sensation that all the rides were custom built by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers.

• Check out a slideshow of Fruita mountain biking

Why go to Fruita? There are rides for all ability levels at several different areas. The Kokopelli, Bookcliffs, Douglas Pass and Rabbit Valley areas feature dozens of world-class trails for advanced and newbies alike. The world-famous singletrack in Fruita is also spectacular and very narrow. Since Fruita's first trails were built in 1995, most of the rides are still pretty new, which means narrow singletrack exists that doesn't widen out much from overuse. The stellar, skinny trails are also due to the fact that the mountain bike community in Fruita is very active and they take constant care of the trails.

Where is Fruita? Fruita is a small town that may not be well known... yet. But it is located just east of the Utah/Colorado border in I-70 which makes it very easy to get to. In fact, it's only an hour away from the Moab exit, so the location makes it perfect for an epic Fruita/Moab mountain biking trip.

What are the best trails in Fruita? There is no lack of quality riding in Fruita, but some trails stand out above the rest. The Rustler and Mary's Loops in the Kokopelli area are good for beginner and intermediate riders, and pretty much any trail off 18 Road in the Bookcliffs are stellar. Kessel Run, Joe's Ridge, and Prime Cut are must rides, and experts will want to check out the rollercoaster hills on Zippety Do Da. To read more about the trails around Fruita, and Grand Junction, visit GJ Mountain Biking website or stop in at Over the Edge Sports in downtown Fruita.

As much as the mountain biking in Utah keeps most of us busy, sometimes it's nice to get away and explore a new place. The mountain bike trails in Fruita are probably the best out-of-state singletrack rides one can find just outside of Utah. To get a feel for what to expect in Fruita, check out the POV video of Kessel Run below.