Heads Up - Rist Canyon in Ft. Collins

[KoryBricker]

Just a heads up for anyone riding up north. Rist Canyon is a little deceiving right now. It pretty clean with just few random spots of very light sand until you get to about two miles from the top of the foothill/mountain (whatever you want to call it) then just as you come around a corner, out of seemingly nowhere, it turns into a freaking sand pit and that last 1 1/2 to 2 miles before the top (where it is most twisty) is literaly completely covered in sand and gravel.

Once you are over the top though it goes back to being pretty clean for the most part.

- Kory

[mtnairlover]

Thanks Cory. Was considering that route this weekend...but...maybe not until next summer again.

[daemon]

all the more reason we need to all chip in for a street sweeper around here!!!:)

[tarded400]

Thanks for the heads up!

[BigE]

After riding Rist and the Buckhorn for the last 24yrs....always expect gravel somewhere no matter what time of year and the pavement on the switchbacks is almost polished now so they are slick even when clear.
And always watch for cows and deer.

[elbromisto]

Good call Big E. It seems like that whole area tends to have patches of sand all times of year, mostly in the middle of the lane or on the center line. Those switchbacks are rideable by a squid like me even when they're completely covered in sand, and the quality of the ride makes braving the sand worthwhile. The last few years that stretch remained a sandbox until June or so.