First Ride, Mountain Biking Dakota Ridge, Chunky and Gnarly, Morrison Colorado

Morrison, CO - Mountain Biking Dakota Ridge. This trail has been on my short list of priority rides for a long time. Why? In other videos that I’ve seen from Nate Hills and JF Rides, it looked like a hogback slog, a technical masterpiece reminiscent of Moore Fun at Kokopelli. Gnarly and chunky!
I came to Dakota Ridge with tempered expectations knowing there were features I wasn’t going to be able to clean, nor was I going to ride this one fast. Instead, I took the slow is smooth and smooth is fast approach.
The weather in Denver was quite bizarre this weekend by Colorado standards. The humidity at altitude was exceptionally high and an approaching cold front stalled in Wyoming creating a foggy scenario without the thunderstorms that were previously forecasted. Overnight as the temperatures cooled, the fog descended to the lower elevations that spawned long periods of mist to the Front Range. Myself and others called off the group ride with Sean Hanson and JF Rides, but regardless I left to check out the conditions.
Because of the mist, the dirt was very damp, Hero, while the Rock was Zero and very slick. My lines choices and speed were heavily impacted by the rock conditions forcing me to err on the side of caution. Not to mention the wood features were near impossible to clean with rear tire being a mostly downhill tread, the Continental Der Kaiser.
Dakota Ridge was seriously technical and a very advanced rider with trail surgical skills and upper fitness can find a way to navigate the climbs and rock mazes. While this isn’t going to go down as one of my best rides, this video definitely serves as a benchmark for solid advanced riders and what the nature of the trail is for them.
There can be exceptional hiking traffic so stay frosty and ride conservatively for the safety of hikers who will mostly likely have the right of way in most circumstances. Again, no drones were used, primarily because I would have to obtain Part 107 authorization from the park authorities. Open space parks on the front range usually restrict recreational drone flight. In this case, flying the drone was not worth garnering the necessary permission.
Dakota Ridge’s geology hits close to home for me. The formations the trail sits on are both Morrison Formation and Dakota Formation. Aptly named after Morrison, CO, these formations are well regarded for Dinosaur fossil on the Front Range and in Dinosaur National Monument and the Grand Valley. For example, most Lunch Loop trails live on Dakota and Morrison formations as well as Moore Fun and Mack Ridge and some other Moab trails.
There is a whole Red Rocks loop, I just didn’t have the time to complete the single track prior to my sister’s graduation.
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[@knordberg]

I watch this video quite often. I rode this for the last time in 2020 because I am 67 and have visual problems. Ended up walking much of it. It is so much chunkier now. You filmed this 5 years ago. I'd like to see another vid of this technical ride. I can't ride it anymore but enjoy watching your trip on it. Brings back great memories. Oh yeah, and I did make that ugly switchback without doing an endo turn - only once.

[@OutdoorGold]

Every time its rains or snows, the Morrison formation looses some dirt. In GJ, a huge chuck of our trails ride the same formation as on Dakota Ridge. It's one of my favorite DEN rides so I will look forward to revisiting!

[@RusticRussellAdventures]

THE STRUGGLE BUS=REAL WORLD RIDING 🤘.Thanks for taking us along

[@OutdoorGold]

That's the truth right there!!!!! And the struggle was REAL! lol Thanks Russell!

[@MrBigKid]

Thats beautiful there! Love the channel, awesome content! Always looking to connect with other creators, and glad I found this! Keep up the good work! Subscribed!

[@OutdoorGold]

Thanks MrBigKid!!! Glad to have ya aboard!

[@seanhanson6478]

The Front Range team will have to have you back now that it's dry! Another rockin' video!

[@OutdoorGold]

Sean Hanson word on the street is Hans Shannon will be in next weeks episode!

[@seanhanson6478]

Whaaaaaa??? ;) Cant wait!!

[@toddburdette]

Awesome as always..

[@OutdoorGold]

Greatly appreciated Todd! Hopefully next time I ride Dakota, its faster and more awesome!

[@christianlopez6560]

Great video!!!

[@OutdoorGold]

Thanks a bunch christian! I greatly appreciate the support!

[@thim8009]

Good job man looks pretty cool , gotta love chunk.

[@OutdoorGold]

This was a weird one! I can't wait to ride it again to see if I can make my way past some of those flat and climbing spots! Thanks Thim!

[@RideLabs]

This is so good! I had no idea that Morrison had all that stuff. I've gotta get back there. Great riding and vlog!

[@OutdoorGold]

I think this is Denver's gnarliest trail outside of Buffalo Creek! Really difficult! Thanks Eric! I think you need to put out a insta360 editing video because I've been driving the struggle bus on it!

[@RideLabs]

Hmm... Ok, well, I bet that you've already figured out what I have. But maybe I can for Thursday or Saturday.

[@SenderoSeeker]

"I know I'm not going very fast"... Only other Gimbal users know of the 'Gnar flattening effect' :) Good stuff man!

[@OutdoorGold]

Thats a true statement! I subbed the Sendero Seeker!

[@SenderoSeeker]

Haha, Awesome. Thanks!

[@lauralong3091]

haha this is amazing.. I love the commentary 😂 favorite part is 5:25

[@OutdoorGold]

hahaha that's a common occurrence for me lol! Thanks for tuning in!

[@allenkvextreme]

love the intro and the content as well

[@OutdoorGold]

Hey! Thanks a bunch Urban Dropper, I had to mix it up just a little and I'm glad you liked it!

[@kjj9701]

Nice riding out there!!! I’m not confident enough to hit those drops like you. Nice to see that they are “doable” once I get the nerve to try some.

[@OutdoorGold]

Thanks Kris! I was rolling the dice that day, but dang that was a sweet trail! I can't wait to ride that one again and see if I do any better lol. There were some weird moves on that thing so I don't blame ya!

[@knordberg]

4:33 - I've seen guys ride up that. It's an amazing thing to see. I've never come close myself. At 12:49 there is an alternate line to the right that rolls you down a super steep rock face that puts you right into that rock berm.

[@OutdoorGold]

Gotta ride this again! This trail isn’t for the faint of heart! Thank kris!

[@knordberg]

@@OutdoorGold They have now finished an additional loop that is MTB only and directional. I haven't ridden it but it looks fantastic. Here's a video the trail builders put up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXuxmqx5mchljMk

[@kevintwin7777]

Awesome ride man

[@OutdoorGold]

Great trail! I can't wait to try my hand again at that one, that's for sure! Thanks Kevin Twin!

[@TrailBikeBebop]

Talk about threading the needle. tough one. nice!!

[@OutdoorGold]

Seriously bro! It kinda kicked my @$$! lol

[@TrailBikeBebop]

😆🤘

[@jacobstorey4140]

Wow, solid ride.

[@rterry2752]

You missed the south end, scary shit !

[@FourClover713]

I bought my first hard tail didnt do enough research on trail difficulties and chose this trail since it was 7min away from my house I brought one water and did the whole loop it was something that was 95% pain 5% fun never rode it again

[@mtbingadventures1551]

I almost never finish my sentences either. LOL. Easy to lose train of thought on the gnar

[@OutdoorGold]

Thats why I use alot of voiceover lol. Its really hard to talk and focus on breathing and the trail. I dont know how BKXC does it so well!

[@canaldhhupirace7291]

Niceee

[@OutdoorGold]

You're here every week canal DH hupi race!!!! Can't thank you enough!

[@canaldhhupirace7291]

Outdoor Gold I try to be .. I really like your channel, I just do not understand what you say because I'm Brazilian, I love your videos together

[@OutdoorGold]

YES!!!!! I like forward to the "Niceee" comment every time! Its cool to see people from other parts of the world on the channel! Thanks!

[@BrianVaughn]

It's your editor's job to make you look good. That is a chunky ride, I'd expect there were some mistakes.

[@OutdoorGold]

hahaha unfortunately I didn't have anybody riding behind me to make me look bad for their camera! lol

[@JRHockney]

Wow that looks like a choppy mess of a trail and a mostly miserable ride...meh, I'll probably still try it out :p

[@JFRides]

First

[@OutdoorGold]

Last shall be first, James shall be last!!!!!!

[@huntstyle]

Second

[@OutdoorGold]

Last shall be first, James shall be last lol!

[@huntstyle]

Hahaha!