True, you aren’t always in control of your destiny, but mountain biking is pretty darn close. Equipment failures are possible on the road, too, so it kinda cancels out in my mind.

I rode through the area Erik describes just a couple weeks ago. Some 40 of us were racing the length of the Colorado Trail (which includes some of the Monarch Crest). By far and away the most dangerous and most unpleasant part of that ~week-long ride was when we had to detour around wilderness, taking a highway.

Monarch Crest was like a soft padded candyland by comparison.

@Scott M. A crash on a mtn bike trail is not always one’s fault. What about equipment failure or malfunction due to shoddy manufacturing?

The best part about mountain biking is that you are in control of your fate. You crash – your fault. On the road there is so much (drivers) that is out of your control, and that is what scares me the most.

I’m a big fan of bike commuting, and ride to trails more often than not, but when given the choice, I’ll take my chances on the trails and avoid cars wherever possible.

Keep up the good work.

There is a lot of amazing stuff out there, though. I’d check Absolute Bikes in Salida for maps and advice, and there is a great coffee shop next door.