You won't mistake it for Moab, but if Moab's summer heat is hell, then Vail's comparatively cool summer must be heaven. They're even hosting the 2001 World Mountain Bike Championships this year. We didn't have much time to explore, but I'll tell you where we went - and where we would have gone if we had time.
Downhill Thrill
Take the Lionshead Gondola to Eagle's Nest on Vail Mountain. You can rent a bike and helmet there if you don't have one - if you do, it costs $10 to bring it with you to the summit. Your choices on the way down are the wide, forgiving Village Trail, or the singletrack Liondown Trail.
Easy Does It
The Vail Recreation Path is popular not only for its mix of scenic views and smooth pavement, but also because it is accessible from many of the condos and hotels along the highway. Winding along the bottom of the White River National Forest, the path will take you through seven miles of soaring mountainsides and placid meadows. You'll never get far enough away from the interstate to forget it's there, but hills are not too deadly and the gurgling waters of Gore Creek are never far away.
Rentals
Both Vail Village and Lionshead Village offer inexpensive bike rentals in summer:
Vail Bike Tech
Lift House Lodge
970-476-5995
Performance Sports
Lionshead Mall
970-476-1718
Wheel Base
Lionshead
970-476-5799
Vail Village
970-476-0913