Riverfront Trail Bike Ride Grand Junction, Colorado

Tabeguache, the Kokopelli Trail, and the Rimrock Ride of the Colorado National Monument* are a few of the better known nearby bike rides. The country roads surrounding Palisades, Fruita and Grand Junction also provide many quiet, scenic rides. If you are training for your next criterium or hill climb race, then these rides can meet your needs. Although the Grand Junction area is known for some of the world's more famous bike trails, there are rides for a more relaxed time on designated paved bike trails.
About five miles south of Tomorrow Hill Farm, you can easily access the Colorado River Trail. The Confluence, Audubon and Blue Heron sections lead up river east toward downtown and then along the river toward Palisades . These trails are part of the American Discovery Trail. You can ride up to twenty miles on mostly protected bike paths. The paths are used by birders, hikers, and roller bladers. However, in the area, you often find that you have the trail to yourself. Curves and vegetation decrease visibility, but you can, in most places, maintain an anaerobic pace while considering the safety of others. There are numerous places to park your car and ride portions of the trail. In addition, for those who are concerned about not only where to go, but where can I "go", there are several restrooms available along the route. You can exit the trail to get a delicious meal downtown, or a candy snack at Enstrom's, visit the Botanical Garden, The Museum of West or Connected Lakes State Park . Bike rentals can be arranged at many local bike shops .
Here are a few pictures along the way taken from the seat of a bicycle. The route is generally well maintained by the city and the bicycle bridge crossing the Colorado River is easy on the legs and the eyes.

*Some interesting stories about the CCC and Rimrock road.

Ride & Drive safely. Bike Paths are great, but not necessarily safer then riding on the road. Here are some tips:

LAB's Movie "Enjoy The Ride" gives some great safety tips, and Illinois Bicycle League's film "Share The Road"

Interested in other rides, then get the book Cycling in the Grand Valley by Tom Davis & Ty Wertz ($11.99) at local bicycle shops. Rim Rock cycling. LLC, P.O. Box 101, Fruita, Colorado 81521.

Information on the Grand Valley Living Experience represents our experience! Your lifestyle choices may have different results. Chose carefully, one is responsible for thier own actions - each have their own risks.

Ride Pages 2, 3 & 4

Map of Grand Junction & Mesa County Trails

Old Mill Bridge & Watson Island Map

Audubon and Blue Heron Trail Map

Note: The Riverside Parkway Project has made many alteration to the Riverfront Trail System. We will update these pages at the completion of the project. Bicyclists will benefit from bicycle lanes built into this new road system.

Just south of the Mesa Mall, the Blue Heron Trail can easily be accessed

with parking for your car available.

Riding east, the trail follows the Colorado River . River vistas, corn fields and sculptures are discovered around the trail's curves.

You now can go "Bananas" on your bike ride. The fun park has sprung up just north of the trail. One might make a bike ride more fun with the kids or grand kids and include a visit here.

The city does a great job on trail maintenance. As you can understand, the river bank occasionally yields to the force of gravity. Here the city has marked uneven joints. This aid is helpful, but as in life, your safety relies on your own attention and care.

Tree tunnels offer shade and quiet. However, here most of the tunnels' natural material is the unnatural, nonnative Tamarisk. One can appreciate how much work will have to be done to meet the state's goal of erradication in 10 years. Each of these trees provide little habitat to wildlife, gulp 300 to 500 gallons of water a day, and leave the soil salty.

Help fight this blight.

Volunteer to help; e.g. April 5 & 6 2008

More about Volunters for Outdoor Colorado VOC

As we head out on our ride, go under the Broadway Bridge . For a shorter loop head south across the bridge.

Follow a disjointed bike path or the narrow road in a gap in the trail.

It's nice to return to the trail and leave the road behind.

Restoration of native plants is in progress on the area on your right.

The Williams' House also awaits restoration (never restored - torn down). Grand Junctions has many other period houses.

Ann Winterholter in an article in The Daily Sentinel on 8.29.2004 reported that the colonial revival-style house was built sometime between 1890 and 1904. Thomas H. Williams immigrated to the US from Cornwall, England. In 1881 this blacksmith was one of Grand Junction's first residents. He resided in his home until the 1920s. Although the house might appear to be a wooded structure, it has red brick walls up to 10 inches thick. These walls made the hot Grand Junction summers more tolerable. This land later belonged to the Jarvis family prior to the city's ownership and then, thankfully, the bike path.

On Saturday June 11, 2005, Mike Wiggins of The Daily Sentinel reports that the city of Grand Junction will tear down the century-old, dilapidated Williams House west of downtown this summer, bringing an end to the ongoing debate about whether one of the city?fs first brick houses is worth saving.

By September 2005, the Williams house passed into history. Torn down by the city without fanfair and only observed by a few passing riders. The foundation may be retained, and some people did keep bricks and lumber, so small pieces of the house will continue.

Continue your virtual ride

Bicycling sign from Brussels

If you see this sign, then you have gone too far east. You are biking in Brussels!

If you see this sign you have gone too far west. You are biking on the Golden Gate Bridge!

No ghostly levitation here, you are bicycling in Melbourne Australia