Crested Butte Tour
Just outside of Crested Butte, Colorado, there are some of the best trails in the country just waiting to be conquered. Crested Butte ranks high on Russell and Cole's list as one of the best riding destinations in the country. Join us for three days of unforgettable riding in the mountains.
Gnarly Routes operates under a special use permit from the United States National Forest Service - Gunnison National Forest, Grand Mesa National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest.
Five spots available
Here's what to expect:
***Please note that to attend this Gnarly Routes tour, you must ride one of our rental bikes***
Here's what it costs: $4,850 per person
Here's the date: August 5th-9th
Five Spaces Available
GNAR LEVEL: 4
Gnar level takes multiple factors into consideration: Trail proximity to camp, difficulty of trails, bail out points, elevation, temperature and the overall physical fitness level required. Gnar level is measured on a scale of 1-5. Crested Butte is rated a four due to the long loops that you are committed to finishing once started. The days are long and bail out points are few and far between. The elevation also increases the Gnar level on the Crested Butte tour.
Scroll down for the important information and to sign up!
What's included in the tour:
1 bike (KTM 300 WC-W, KTM 350 XCF-W, KTM 450 XCF-W)
All rental bikes include the following products:
1 set of Moose Racing riding gear (Pant/Jersey/Glove)
XC Gear Mako 360 bar mount
Renthal handlebar and sprockets
Enduro Engineering hand guards and protection products (radiator guards, clutch master cylinder guard, rear disc guard, skid plate and rear brake pedal tip)
Michelin StarCross 6 tires, tread pattern selected depending on the tour
Michelin Bib Mousse front and rear
Seat Concept seats
WP XPLOR forks setup by Solid Performance to rider skill level and weight
WP PDS shock setup by Solid Performance rider skill level and weight
Gnarly Routes graphics by Bike Graphix
Trail Tech GPS units and radiator fans
Rekluse Radius or Core manual clutch system
IMS Core footpegs
Twin Air filters
Motorex lubricants
MotoMinded headlight
4 nights lodging
Transportation to and from the airport if arriving in Gunnison. Montrose participants will have to arrange transportation.
Breakfast each morning of tour and lunch out on the trail
Dinner is separate but the group will go together
Photos from the tour
Route planning
Bike Fuel
Curriculum:
Overview
A general discussion of proper trail etiquette and how to ride responsibly. Reiteration that this ride is not a race, but a fun trail ride in epic terrain that provides you the chance to enjoy the time on the bike and hone riding skills on difficult terrain. A discussion of proper body position, concise control inputs, weight distribution, and the use of dedicated momentum will be covered. Each location provides unique terrain and diverse terrain and our skills focus will change a bit per location. All skill work and riding is completely optional and no riding or skill work is ever mandatory.
Morning skill work.
Main focus is on body position and inputs on controls of the motorcycle.
-How to move appropriately on the bike to help aid braking and accelerating safely.
-Proper body weight distribution to help change direction and lessen riding fatigue.
Afternoon skill work.
Main focus is on throttle control and the use of momentum on the trail.
-Improve power distribution to help improve traction and minimize riding mistakes.
-Using the motorcycle’s inertia and roll speed to allow the bike to move as it is intended with less wheel spin and controlled braking to reduce erratic stoping and loss of control.
Focus Points
How to approach and climb rock ledges and descend steep drops. (double blip technique explained and demonstrated)
How to cross deep cracks between rocks safely.
Schedule:
Participants should fly into Gunnison Regional Airport (GUC) or Montrose Regional Airport August 5th and depart on August 9th.
Thursday, August 5th - Arrival days, get fitted on bikes and ready for the first ride day.
Friday, August 6th - Crested Butte tour begins with a full day of riding Colorado backcountry.
Saturday, August 7th - Crested Butte area riding for the second day.
Sunday, August 8th - Taylor Park area for the third day of riding.
Monday, August 9th - Guests transported to Gunnison airport or Montrose for departure.
F.A.Q.
What bikes are available?
On this tour, we will have two (2) KTM 250 XC-W TPI 250 and two (2) KTM 350 EXC-F motorcycles. Bikes are first come first serve so be sure to request one when signing up.
What bike upgrades or customizations do you offer?
On this tour, riders may request a Rekluse Core EXP 3.0 auto-clutch or run the Rekluse Core manual clutch. We offer one set of cone valve forks as an upgrade at a rate of $100 per day which equates to $300 over the course of the tour.
What should I bring on the tour?
On this tour, you need to bring plenty of riding gear to get you through three days of riding. If you have specific trail snacks that you like, we suggest bringing those but will have plenty of Kate's bars in the transport vehicle. Here's a short list though so you can make sure to bring everything.
Riding pants (3)
Riding jerseys (3)
Knee pads or knee braces
Chest protector
Gloves (2)
Socks (3)
Padded shorts (3)
Goggles (2)
Drink system (1) (We suggest USWE)
Fanny Pack (your guides will carry the heavy stuff!)
Advil
Snacks
Camera (Cole will be taking plenty of photos)
Rain jacket (1)
What skill level requirements are in place?
Gnar level takes multiple factors into consideration: Trail proximity to camp, difficulty of trails, bail out points, elevation, temperature and the overall physical fitness level required. Gnar level is measured on a scale of 1-5.
Scroll down for the important information and to sign up!
This tour is rated for intermediate level riders and up.
When it comes to skill levels, everyone rates themselves differently. Below is how we at Gnarly Routes categorize each skill level.
Beginner: You are new to motorcycling and not comfortable riding in challenging conditions. You have trouble with hill-climbs, rocky terrain, steep descents and standing up while riding. Beginner riders struggle with proper clutch and braking techniques especially with the terrain gets challenging. We recommend practicing for a couple of years before you sign up for a Gnarly Routes tour.
Novice: You have been riding for some time and if you were to sign up for an Offroad race, you would sign up in the C class. You are comfortable navigating through a variety of terrain and can make quick line changes. Long rocky hill climbs or descents are a challenge and getting the front end up and over ledges are tricky. At Gnarly Routes, we can accommodate novice riders but it will be challenging.
Intermediate: You have been riding for some time and get to ride a couple of times a month. If you were to sign up for an Offroad race, you would sign up for the B class. You can ride all day if necessary and welcome being challenged. You struggle in technical terrain but can get through it. This is our most common skill level that we see at Gnarly Routes.
Advanced: Most people classify themselves as advanced level riders when they are actually intermediate. You have years of riding experience and ride on a regular basis (weekly). If you were going to sign up for an Offroad race, you would sign up in the A class. You smile when you see a gnarly rock garden or root infested trail. You are in good shape and can ride all day.
Expert: You have years of experience and ride on a regular basis (weekly). If you were going to sign up for an Offroad race, you would sign up in the AA, Expert, or Pro class. You can ride any kind of terrain and welcome a challenge. You like steep climbs and have excellent throttle, clutch and brake control. When you ride, you rarely make mistakes and are an extremely efficient rider.
To sign-up for the Gnarly Routes Crested Butte Tour, please fill out the form below. This does not guarantee you a spot in the tour, forms will be sorted first come first serve. A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to confirm your spot.