Kelsey Brunner/Snowmass Sun
The mountain biking on Sky Mountain Park is wimpy. I’ve never ripped clothing or skin riding there. I say this, but I plan to ride Government Trail a lot more than I actually get out on it. I love the Gnarly Legend, but more often than not get sucked onto Sky Mountain Park on my way to its trailhead.
I have learned to worry less about tearing my bike jersey on the Government than breaking bones or getting concussed. Ending up with a limp or a scab is not so much a calculated risk on that trail as it is a good probability. It is a chain of technical challenges that demands intense concentration with the likelihood of fairly severe consequences for mental or physical lapses. It is akin to a chess match decided by a round of boxing.