Are you visiting the Estes valley and wanting to see the beauty of the area from a whole new perspective? Enter the Backbone Adventures e-bike option! If you have never ridden an e-bike before, you’ll quickly find that they are a step above when exploring the beauty in and around Estes Park.
What makes an e-bike different from a regular bike?
E-bikes allow riders to travel faster and more efficiently than regular bikes do. Powered by a battery that can power your ride for approximately 40 miles or 2-3 hours depending on throttle usage, e-bikes are workhorses when it comes to pedaling around the Estes valley. Where normal bikes require quite a bit of effort to climb hills, e-bikes handle them with ease thanks to both the throttle option and the pedal assist, which can be adjusted to meet the user’s needs.
What’s the difference between pedal assist and using the throttle?
Our e-bikes are equipped with two self-propulsion options, and both are great for different reasons. The throttle is similar to that on a dirt bike or even a car – use the throttle, and the bike will move forward with no effort required from the user. However, this can quickly drain the battery of the e-bike, shortening the ride experience if used too often. This is where the pedal assist comes in handy, as it uses significantly less battery power than using strictly the throttle does.
The pedal assist does exactly as the name implies – it adds juice to each pedal push exerted by the rider. Using pedal assist, which can be adjusted between power levels depending on the desired climb/speed, is the best way to preserve battery life and allow the user to enjoy the benefits of the e-bike for the entirety of their ride.
Can you take e-bikes wherever you can ride a normal bike?
Yes and no – e-bikes can generally travel in areas where normal bikes can, but we do not permit riders to ride e-bikes into the downtown area for the user’s safety. E-bikes are also not permitted on the pump track located near Lake Estes, as e-bikes are not built for the hard jumps and turns of the bike park. Otherwise, e-bikes are permitted on the trails around Lake Estes, on the Fish Creek bike paths, and on other trails where bikes are permitted. See our e-bike trails page for more information and for maps of the bike trails we recommend.
The equipment was in top condition. I cannot say enough about the staff! They were fun, informative, responsive — we would absolutely recommend Backbone Adventures! – Molly M.
Can I bring my whole family along on an e-bike adventure?
As long as everyone in the family can ride a normal bike, they are welcome to rent our e-bikes! If you have a family member who is either too young or unable to ride a bike unassisted, we offer additional options such as trailers and tag-alongs that can allow these family members to enjoy the adventure with you. Please see our e-bike page for more information on these options.
We all know that wedding planning is a huge undertaking. Between celebrations with family, booking vendors, finding the dress and tux, and locating the perfect venue, all while trying to enjoy the bliss that comes with finding your forever person, planning a wedding is no small task. For many brides- and grooms-to-be, the first step in the process is finding the perfect location for arguably the biggest celebration of their lives to come.
Even just deciding on beautiful Estes Park, CO only narrows the options slightly, as Estes is one of the top wedding destinations in the United States. And for good reason – there are numerous gorgeous venues to choose from, all with some level of grandeur just for being located in the incredible Rocky Mountains. How can you possibly choose which venue is the best option for your celebration? This week, we are outlining three of our top recommendations for wedding venues in Estes Park.
1. The Landing at Estes Park
The Landing at Estes Park is located right outside the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and its quaint, serene location is matched only by the warm and friendly hospitality of the staff. With plenty of suites and cabins where modern comfort meets rustic charm, The Landing offers high quality accommodations for parties big and small at several price points. Where some hotels might cram rooms into every square inch of the property, The Landing has left a large portion of their property by the river undeveloped and pristine, which is perfect for either a ceremony location or photoshoots. We believe this speaks to their quality mindset: they provide an exemplary view for guests instead of squeezing the area for all its worth.
Additionally, The Landing has an amazing reception hall with a large deck that overlooks the river. Accommodating up to 120 guests, this makes it a perfect place for a reception if having the ceremony itself off-site. With plenty of parking and good accessibility to both Rocky Mountain National Park and the downtown Estes area, The Landing is a great place for even larger weddings to experience that rustic mountain charm that our area is known for.
If you are looking for a smaller, more intimate venue, look no further than this quaint bed and breakfast located right on the river. The Romantic RiverSong Inn only accommodates wedding parties of 20 people or less, so it is the perfect option for an elopement or micro-wedding in Estes Park. Our owner, Andy, says, “I’d wager it’s one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in Estes Park.” With no other hotels or homes in sight, the Romantic RiverSong Inn sports unique rooms and special touches in every suite and cabin. The owners of the inn have spared no expense when it comes to the distinctive design touches that grace the property: for example, bathrooms with skylights and antique watering cans that have been converted into shower heads. These intimate details will surely leave you with a sense of awe at the love and care put into your stay.
“I’m not a religious person, but it’s as if God himself created this special little place in the world.” – Andy Hitch, owner of Backbone Adventures
Speaking of love and care, the managers of the property, a couple who have managed the Romantic RiverSong Inn for many years, each pride themselves on helping guests have an unforgettable wedding experience. Jim handles the maintenance and physical setup, while Cheryl lends a hand to every aspect of the wedding to ensure it goes exactly to the happy couple’s plan. Weddings at the inn are an engaged couple’s dream: the managers endeavor to exceed all expectations and accept no less than perfection for their guests. Again, our owner Andy had this to say about the inn: “I’m not a religious person, but it’s as if God himself created this special little place in the world.”
You probably can’t even Google weddings in Estes Park without reading about Della Terra Mountain Chateau. As a luxury boutique inn, Della Terra is one of the top choices for wedding venues in Estes Park. Known for its high level of service and wide variety of services, contacts, and partnerships in town, this venue is one of the top dogs for a reason. With multiple ceremony location options that keep the variable Colorado weather in mind, onsite getting-ready areas, and much more, Della Terra is the elite option in Estes Park for couples who want to spare no expense to ensure the perfect day all in one place.
With tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of wedding guests coming to Estes Park every year, we know that the main wedding day is usually not the only day folks are in town. Guests and wedding members alike are looking to enjoy their time in Estes on the off days as well. Between bachelor and bachelorette parties, activities for after welcome brunches, and day-after get-togethers, your guests will find something perfect to scratch the adventure-seeking itch here at Backbone Adventures.
Want to go fast in the dirt? We’ve got you with a Razor. Want to take it easy and enjoy the beauty at a slower pace? A Jeep will get you out and about in the forest without the intensity of a Razor. Want to avoid dirt altogether? Enjoy a zippy ride in a Slingshot! If speed and dirt aren’t for you, rent some e-bikes and enjoy the beauty of Lake Estes, the surrounding Rocky Mountains, and the high level of service that only we can offer. We pride ourselves on offering the same high quality, unique level of service that our recommended wedding venues do, and that is why we choose to work with these vendors over all the others.
Ready to take the next step toward happily ever after? Book today and get ready to make your big day even more special!
Picture this: you’re planning a trip to Estes Park, CO to experience the untamed beauty of the forests, mountains, and wildlife surrounding the town. You know that there are public lands in the area, but you don’t know which areas are pay-to-play and which are free to access and use by visitors. You’ve heard of both national parks and national forests, but aren’t sure which option is best for you based on the adventure you’re looking to experience.
We know the distinction between national parks and national forests can be a bit confusing, and the entry fees and accessibility options can be even more so. That’s why this week, we are diving into the differences between the national park and national forests that border Estes Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses over 400 square miles of federally protected land, and is a top tourist destination in Colorado. RMNP is part of the national park system, which protects and preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of each national park for enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Because the main goal of national parks is preservation, access is very strictly monitored to conserve the integrity of the area.
To access Rocky Mountain National Park, one must have both an entry pass for their vehicle, and during peak hours in the summertime, a separate timed entry pass that grants the passholder access to certain areas of the park. Between the hours of 9am-2pm, a timed entry permit is required to access all areas of the national park. If entering before 9am or after 2pm, visitors may enter the park without a timed entry reservation, and may access all areas of the park except the Bear Lake Road corridor, which requires its own designated permit between the hours of 5am-6pm daily.
National Forest
National Forests, on the other hand, are public lands specifically managed for use by the public. While national parks are focused on preservation and not altering the existing state of the land, national forests encourage the use of the land. In fact, the mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This includes the management of timber, recreation, grazing, wildlife, fish, and more.
As such, entry into the national forest is free and no timed entry permit is required to access or recreate on the land. This makes it a great alternative for people who are not looking to spend money or time navigating entrance fees, timed entry reservations, etc. Between the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests, there are hundreds of miles of trails and roads that are prime for exploring in an off-roading vehicle.
At Backbone Adventures, we exclusively operate on national forest land. The use of motorized vehicles such as side by sides and four-wheelers is prohibited in the national park, so the national forest is home to the trails and roads where we send our guests. The natural beauty of Colorado is just as exquisite on national forest land as it is in the national park, and far fewer visitors of this area get to experience the quieter, less-traveled trails of the national forest land than those of the busier, more popular national park. Interested in learning more about how Backbone Adventures can help you experience an unforgettable adventure during your stay? Contact us today!
4 wheeling in the snow is so much fun. However, you need to be cautious and smart about it. Watch the video so you can learn how to properly operate a winch.
Although our Rubicons have 37″ aggressive tires and a 5.75″ lift, they can and will get stuck. The general rule of thumb is that if the snow is deeper than the height of the front axle differential, you won’t make it.
The type of snow plays a role as well. In this video the snow we’re in is fairly wet and heavy. This makes it even more difficult and in this video I got stuck in snow that was well below the height of the differential. If the snow was light (fresh), I would have made it with ease.
Drifts are another thing to look out for. If you don’t see tire tracks in the snow, you should shove a stick in it to check depth before driving through it.
You can go it alone. I do it all the time, but I’m extra cautious. If you plan to get into some deep snow or mud, I suggest going with another Jeep so you can help each other out.
I didn’t include this in the video, but about a mile east of this location there was an abandon Jeep stuck in the snow that we went around. He had gone it alone and tried to bash through a snow drift in an open meadow (bad idea). We only made it through that section because I had another Jeep with me that was able to pull me backward so I could take multiple runs at it. We eventually made it and it was such an awesome time.
