A year-end Trail Notes recap of my favorite mountain bike rides and towns from 2025, based on months spent riding, traveling, and living on the road.

This episode looks back at standout destinations like Moab, Fruita, Salida, Gunnison, Twin Lakes, and Crested Butte — each offering a different style of riding, from slickrock and desert flow to high-alpine singletrack. Rather than ranking trails by hype, this recap focuses on what actually made these places special to ride in real conditions, across multiple days and seasons.

If you’re planning future mountain bike trips or looking for proven riding destinations, this episode pulls together the biggest takeaways from a full year of riding across the western U.S.

Full trail guides, town pages, and ride details: https://bestmountainbikerides.com/

A Trail Notes overview of mountain biking in Brevard, North Carolina — a town I’ve called home for nearly 20 years and one of the deepest, most diverse riding destinations in the U.S.

Brevard sits at the gateway to DuPont State Recreational Forest and Pisgah National Forest, offering everything from smooth, flowy singletrack to rugged, technical backcountry riding. Highlights include the iconic Ridgeline Trail, along with classic routes like Black Mountain Loop, Farlow Gap, and John Rock.

Most trails have recovered from Hurricane Helene, with only a few still under repair. Camping options exist but dispersed camping is limited, and rangers actively enforce the 14-day stay limit in Pisgah National Forest.

Full trail guides, maps, and local riding details:

https://bestmountainbikerides.com/town/brevard-nc/

A short Trail Notes overview of mountain biking in Fruita, Colorado — one of the most approachable desert riding destinations in the U.S. Flow trails, easy logistics, and why Fruita is often a better option than Moab for many riders.

More details, maps, and ride guides:

https://bestmountainbikerides.com/town/fruita-co/