Keystone
Keystone CO Uphill Mountain Bike Challenge
By The Walsh Group

While contestants and spectators make their way to Keystone, Colorado for the Annual Uphill Mountain Bike Challenge every June, residents and owners of Keystone CO real estate could claim some one-upmanship.  These lucky folks started practicing on the doubletrack near their homes in Keystone or their Breckenridge real estate over a month ago.  Anyone who has become accustomed to the no-pain, no-gain ride up the chairlifts had better get acquainted with the rigors of the uphill climb ahead of time and a great place to start is right from your very own Keystone CO vacation home.

Find out about available real estate in Keystone by contacting The Walsh Group of RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, the #1 Broker in Summit County, at (970) 513-0404 when you come to check out the Uphill Mountain Bike Challenge.  After the race up the mountain, enjoy the community BBQ and fun prizes.

Climbing teaches you things about yourself that the easy chairlift skips.  To get started practicing for next year’s race, pick up a few essentials like a mountain bike, a biking helmet, biking shoes, biking shorts, a sweat-proof biking jersey, biking gloves, sunglasses, high-energy snacks, and a CamelBak hydration system. 

Here are a few beginning points to get you started conditioning for uphill mountain-bike treks.

Practice gradual ascents, shifting into a low gear and experimenting until you are familiar with which gears work best for various inclines.  Psychologically, you may find that breaking up a long climb into smaller sections in your mind will make the uphill journey more comfortable. 
Flex your legs and arms but do not lock your joints.  While climbing, lean forward from the pelvis, keeping your back straight, and applying pressure on the front wheel to maintain traction.  For very steep pitches, you will need to exert lots of pressure.  It may help to switch into high gear and occasionally stand during longer climbs.  Be sure to keep your weight centered above the pedals and to continue to maintain traction with the front wheel.

If you are already in the resort, practice riding up Keystone Gulch road and take the doubletrack on the right after the beaver pond.  There are two places to cross the creek and then follow the trail downstream for 2 ½ miles.  You can choose to take a trail down to Keystone Ranch road and Summit Cove, crossing a couple of subdivision roads.  You will find a maze of trails and flowing singletrack out there.  If you are a bit more adventurous, take the trail that climbs to the Colorado Trail and its wild switchback runs and rigorous climbs.