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Everything about a bike is personal. The height of your seat, the texture of your handlebars, the distance from your right foot to the pedal. So can you really get comfortable on a resort rental? The folks at Solaris Residences in Vail have implemented a new program that will allow you to enjoy your vacation on your own custom set of wheels—that you keep at the end of your stay.
When booking a stay at Solaris, mention that you would like to take advantage of the new Moots Cycle Package. You’ll be sized and fit at your local bike shop, but your custom cycle will be waiting for you in Vail. You’ll also receive a Moots jersey, water bottle, and cycling socks.
Bonus: Cake your bike with its first layer of dirt on a trail surrounding Vail. Here, three of our faves.
1. Vail Pass Bike Path: This is a long, yet relatively easy and satisfying route from Vail to the summit of Vail Pass. Grades do not exceed 7 percent, and average at a mild 4 percent to give you a steady thigh workout on the way up and a glorious glide back down. Start at the covered bridge in Vail and ride to the trailhead of Ten Mile trail. You’ll hop on the old Vail Pass road which connects you to the Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail. The path to the summit is paved, but beware of a short, steep climb as the trail passes under I-70. The grade evens out for the last couple miles to the summit.
2. Red Sandstone Road: Follow this 10-mile dirt road to Piney Lake to dip your toes in the water or have a lakeside picnic. Take North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road and follow. The wide, dirt road is ideal for family rides. Be cautious, though, as vehicles still use these roads.
3. Buffehr Creek: For a more difficult trek try this route, which leads through meadows, over creeks, and traverses several beaver ponds. Start out heading west on North Frontage Road to Sandstone Road and follow for a little more than three miles to the Lost Lake Trailhead. Turn west and follow the road to the Buffehr Creek Trail sign. From here, you will descend into leafy meadows with quiet streams (watch for elk). Turn right onto North Trail, which will bring you back to Buffehr Creek for your return to the trailhead.
—Image courtesy of Solaris Residencies