The Banana Belt is a long-running mountain bike race in Salda, Colorado. Historically held on Methodist Mountain, this year the course will take in the classic “Cottonwood” loop on the other side of town, in the Arkansas Hills.
The ride starts with a 7.5-mile climb on a scenic dirt road. From there, the fun really begins as you hop on the trails. Smooth dirt, skinny singletrack, a mining ruin or two—this route has it all as you descend 2,000 feet back into town. The last leg of the ride features Rusty Lung, a newer, flowy trail with playful lines. This ride is suitable for intermediate mountain bikers. All of the singletrack is rated blue, aside from one tricky section on Rumba/Cottonwood, which is easy to walk.
