Reviewed by: Josh Morrison , from Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Summary:
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL UNLESS YOU ARE AN ADVANCED RIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you carry some screwdrivers(NOT vodka/assorted sizes), some slip joint/needlenose pliers, a crescent wrench and some allen wrenches. Also carry some extra inner tubes (YOU WILL BLOW THEM!!!) and a couple of air pumps. Oh and DO NOT forget the dramamine!! If you are not an aadvanced rider, do not go above the tree line!

Reviewed by: Greg , from Denver, Colorado

Summary:
You DO NOT have to do this ride as a shuttle. Start early in the morning at the cog railway parking for the Barr trail(7000ft), then ride up the trail. Take a backpack and hiking shoes to get to the top of Pikes Peak (14,000ft). Lock bikes near the treeline, then hike to the top. Eat Donut. Run down to bikes (easier than trying to walk down the steep slope. Mount bikes and have fun from treeline to Parking lot. Take extra clothing, lots of water and food. It takes a while to climb 7000 feet. Only attempt in good weather months and be aware the weather can change DRAMATICALLY in a short period of time. ie. 70 degrees at the bottom, snowing and 25 degrees at the top.
You might want to be in good shape to try this one. Total time will be 6-10 hours of riding/hiking. Only 4 tires because I had to violate the "Death before Dismount" rule at the top. DO NOT ATTEMPT if you are coming from sea level, unless you are familiar with altitude sickness and the symptoms. I'M SERIOUS!

Recommended Route:
Up trail to treeline, stow bikes, hike to top, down trail to bikes, ride back to manitou springs

Reviewed by: Joe Hanrahan , from Berkeley

Summary:
Details above.

Recommended Route:
Look at a map and find Elk Park Trail. I hate to say it, but its really only done as a shuttle and the shuttle involves the PIkes Peak Highway and Donut Shop. If you can somehow pull it off, congratulations, you've just ridden a 5,500 downhill, the bottom third of which is the Enchanted Forest which these people were raving about before. The top two thirds blow it away. Prod Drew at Pikes Peak Mountain Bike Tours about it, I used to guide for him, its like our own private trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cap'n Jack's, Sec. 16, Jones Park, anywhere in Cheyenne Canyon

Reviewed by: Bonehead , from Colo Springs

Summary:
This requires a shuttle. Get dropped off at Elk Park and you finish in Manitou. Fast and furious flying downhill. 7,000 ft descending with very little climbing. The BEST ride in the world. Beats the Crest Trail, Moab, Crested Butte etc. Ride it with someone who knows the route or get a GOOD map. Please don't bomb down Barr trail or ride it all the way back to town. It is HEAVILY hiked and it would suck if it was closed to bikes because of some assholes.

Recommended Route:
Elk park to Barr Trail to Experimental Forest to Ute trail.

Reviewed by: Frank Thompson , from New York, NY

Summary:
This trail is the best downhilling in the nation...Bar none...Some will say Moab is better but I've been to both and it's not even close. I go about once every four months just to go biking there. It is amazing even in the winter. There are tons of people on this trail all the time, but it's worth it. Take the trip if you haven't already.

Recommended Route:
Same as above

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Nothing compares to "The Pike"