Cowboy Up: Keystone Drop Zone Mountain Bike Park

Somewhere between Pat Cross telling me that I should make sure my life insurance was up to date and my medical plan had a favorable deductible I realized he thought I was going to go ride the Keystone Drop Zone Mountain Bike Park, the chairlift-access mountain bike park located at Keystone, CO.

“Dude, I’m not riding Keystone.  I’m asking your opinion of the place for the blog post you guys wanted me to write,” I told him.

“Oh, okay.  Whew.  You had me worried for a second, there.”

So it didn’t quite happen like that.  There was no discussion of medical care or funeral arrangements.  But there was a genuine level of concern for my wellbeing registering in Pat’s voice when I asked him what the Drop Zone was like.  Here’s the gist, and repeat after
me: Keystone’s Drop Zone is no place for timid or new downhillers.  As I fall solidly (and often, *rimshot*) into the “timid downhiller” category and thus have no Drop Zone experience of my own, let me regale you with the musings of the Ascent Cycling shop guys who have actually been there.

This, from Justin Holmes-Winters: “Keystone is a super-tech, super gnarly, super harsh track.” 

Super.

Keystone, according to Patrick Cross: “The park is way more technical than Trestle Bike Park.  There’s not as much trail grooming, so the trails are in a “natural state.”  It’s similar to what you might find on a Front Range downhill run like Section 16, but with much bigger obstacles… like VW Beetle-sized rocks on the Cowboy Up trail, for instance.”

Fantastic.

Okay, so it’s tough, P.C.  Roger that.  What’s the best way to get a feel for the place and what type of equipment should you have, then?  “I’d start with the Eye of the Tiger trail and judge your comfort level from there.  As far as equipment?  Ideally you’re gonna be up there with proper downhill gear- full-faced helmet, neck brace, body armor, etc. and bring a big-travel gravity bike or rent one from the resort’s shop.  Realize you’re riding some seriously challenging, amazingly sick terrain and plan accordingly.”

Noted.

Though like my man LeVar Burton says, don’t just take my (our) word for it.  Hit up YouTube and sift through the copious amounts of videos put up there by rippers of all ages.  Keep in mind that every feature will look smaller on screen, especially in first-person.

Bottom line?  I won’t be riding Keystone anytime soon.  My descending chops aren’t where
they need to be to take on a challenge like that, and I’m 100%, A-1 okay with that.  And if I’m being brutally honest with myself, it’s probably a good thing for the DH riders out there that they don’t have to sift through the riff-raff- guys like me not willing to send it
and go for broke.

Keystone was built from the “top down,” meaning it’s a park aimed at folks who know how
to ride downhill runs and are ready for a World Cup-like experience.  If that description fits who you are as a rider, then more power to you, and make sure you give ‘er.  Get ready for an adrenaline rush!

Mac out.