The Virginia - Maryland MTB Connection

The guys I’m racing the Hundo with in a couple of weeks wanted one last big training ride. We were looking for something with comparable elevation gain and enough miles to make it a true mountain bike sufferfest. We settled on a route starting in Virginia Canyon above Idaho Springs.

This was my first visit to the new Argo Mine Mountain Bike Park, and I was impressed from the start. The climb winds up the mountainside alongside the new gondola, weaving beneath wooden platforms, bridges, and trail features. The scale and design of the downhill infrastructure are remarkable. At the top, we stopped to check out the gondola unloading station, the overlook above the historic mine structures, the music stage, and the new restaurant building.

After a quick snack break, we continued up Virginia Canyon, better known as Oh My God Road, toward Central City. The climb follows a historic route through mining country before eventually dropping us into town. From there, we ground our way up the steep streets to access the Maryland Mountain trail network.

We climbed through the system on Easy Money before dropping into Hard Money. The black diamond descent is probably a little above my pay grade, but peer pressure is a powerful motivator. Somehow, we all made it to the bottom in one piece.

Of course, reaching the bottom only meant another climb. We worked our way back into Central City and stopped at one of the more uniquely Colorado establishments I’ve encountered: part grocery store, part liquor store, and part dispensary. A true one-stop shop. Most of us grabbed a cold drink and a candy bar to refuel before tackling the final climb back toward Idaho Springs.

The route between Central City and Virginia Canyon passes old mining remnants, ghost towns, and one of the most unusual disc golf courses you’ll ever see tucked into the mountainside. Everywhere you look, there are reminders of Colorado’s mining past.

One detail I left out until now: the day before this ride, I logged 17 trail miles on foot. The transition from running to cycling has been an interesting one. The aerobic engine is there, but the body is still carrying fatigue from Quad Rock 50 and the training that followed. There were definitely moments on the climbs when I could feel that accumulated effort in my legs.

Riding with a strong group has a way of exposing both strengths and weaknesses. I found myself grinding to stay attached at times, digging a little deeper than I expected. That’s part of the process. Training isn’t always about showing up fresh and feeling great. Sometimes it’s about learning how to perform when you’re tired, adapting between disciplines, and finding confidence that you can keep moving forward when things get uncomfortable.

As we crested the final pass, the group scattered. The stronger riders smelled food and beverages waiting below and disappeared over the horizon. We regrouped at the new summer lodge overlooking Idaho Springs. The place was bustling with tourists, mountain bikers, and sightseers. It felt like a destination that has quickly found its audience. Seeing that kind of energy around mountain biking and outdoor recreation is encouraging.

With real food, cold drinks, and a few laughs behind us, there was only one thing left to do: point the bikes downhill.

The descent was spectacular. Massive berms, flowing switchbacks, and expertly built trail features made for an unforgettable finish to the day. The Argo Mountain Bike Park is something special. It’s an ambitious project that blends Colorado’s mining history with modern outdoor recreation and has quickly become a beacon for mountain bikers along the Front Range.

Most importantly, it delivered exactly what we needed: one final big day in the saddle before the Hundo.

The fitness is there. The motivation is there. My body is tired, still recovering from Quad Rock and the training load that comes with chasing big goals, but that’s part of the journey. At this point, the work is largely done. Now it’s about managing recovery, trusting the process, and showing up ready to see what race day brings.

The legs were tired, the smiles were genuine, and the stoke level is high heading into the Hundo.