Farmstand 25 & 50
Two classic gravel loops
in Pueblo’s agricultural heartland
by Grassroots Gravel
Gain:
515 or 1,079 feet
Condition:
Varied surfaces
Season:
Year-round
25 or 50 miles
Distance:
#RIDEPUEBLO
“I’m tired” is probably what the ancient crane pictured above would share as we stop to take our own rest. The St. Charles Mesa of Pueblo County is an agricultural region known for its ongoing role in Colorado crop production and notably for the legendary Mirasol chile, aka Pueblo chile. This storied pepper and region are the subject of a recent documentary “Mirasol” produced by Palmer Land Conservancy.
These gravel biking routes, both starting from Milberger Farms along US-50 in Pueblo, can be taken as spicy as you want them. Moderate gravel conditions along the entire route combined with minimal elevation gain will allow riders to set their own challenge by pace. In short: these routes are a good option whether you’re new to gravel biking, seeking mellow miles, or looking for something real spicy and fast.
You’ll pass through an array of fields and generations of farming infrastructure. One of our favorite spots along the Farmstand 50 route is that ancient crane, long-since abandoned on the north side of Huerfano road, crops and the distant Wet Mountains its eternal backdrop. Pueblo’s one of the sunniest regions in Colorado, lending the region to year-round riding as well as solar power generation. You’ll see some of the region’s renewable solar fields as you look southwest over them with the Wahatoya peak outside Walsenburg visible on the horizon.
Finish up with some locally grown food and goodies at the family-owned and run Milberger Farms.
Tag your experiences on social with #ridepueblo and you could be featured or win prizes!
When headed out on your ride, you’re riding at your own risk. Be sure to:
check your equipment (Air, Brakes, Chain)
Wear safety equipment (helmet!)
Bring water and snacks (or plan a yummy stop!)
Check the weather/sun and prepare accordingly
Be familiar with your route and/or have your phone charged up
Be aware of surroundings, conditions, livestock, ranch dogs, etc. Gravel riding is often in rural/working farm areas!
Learn more about Getting Started in Riding here
There are a whole bunch of ways to plan your ride and route. We like RideWithGPS. We could say that a bunch of times for a bunch of reasons. We like RideWithGPS because it’s simple and easy to access, works on any mobile platform, has awesome route-planning tools, and the free version has powerful ride recording and navigation features. Their paid version even has turn-by-turn cues.
Route highlights
This narrow but paved segment is cooler than you’d expect. Riders are flanked on both sides by massive irrigation equipment on this short agricultural gauntlet of a road.
Ride the Farmstand routes in the fall and you’ll inevitably be treated to vibrant pumpkin fields! These shots were late in the season. These pumpkins hadn’t made the cut and were likely waiting to become nutrients for the next crop. The Farmstand 25 & 50 are truly four-season routes and will treat you to a full five-senses experience, with the temps, views, conditions, and foods varying by the time of year.
Riders won’t face any major climbs on either route. A few spots get steep, but the climbs are brief. Expect moderate gravel and minimal traffic along the way, and be mindful of traffic on the paved sections and even along the gravel…these are working lands!
We love getting folks out on bikes. It doesn’t matter what pace you’re riding, or what equipment you’re on. If you’re there to enjoy the ride and you’re willing to put in work at your own level, we love that. Check out our group rides page here.
After Your Ride
Pueblo Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is located in the heart of downtown Pueblo. There’s a whole spectrum of food spots, art galleries, and more along the Riverwalk and Union Avenue.
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is at the core of Pueblo’s identity as well as its recreation. The Pueblo Whitewater Park is accessed from 4th street and is likely the largest in Colorado. Surf’s up y’all.
Lake Pueblo Trails
The Lake Pueblo Trails are located at Lake Pueblo State Park just a few miles from town. Us locals call it the "Res." We think you'll call it one of best trail systems in Colorado. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities at the park make it one of the best multi-sport destinations in the state. Fun fact: Lake Pueblo is the most-visited state park in Colorado.
Photo Credit: Southern Colorado Trail Builders
Pueblo Agriculture & the Pueblo Chile
The Pueblo Chile has become a symbol of our city, and is the subject of heated debate. Get it? Heated? Locally and regionally featured in the classic Pueblo green chili slopper hamburger and in innumerable other recipes, this is a pepper you need to try.
Visit any locally-owned restaurant and you’re guaranteed to see it on the menu.
Photo: Scott Tribby Photography
How we plan and navigate our rides
Planning a great route is one of our favorite things to do here. Maps represent possibilities - whether they’re mounted to a sign, unfolded on a picnic table, or lit up on the computer screen.
We build all of our online routes using RideWithGPS. It’s simple to use and simple for folks to access. It has free mobile and desktop options so there’s an option for everyone.
The screenshot here is the Route Planner tool. It’s where you can try out different options and if you’re unsure whether you can ride a segment, there’s a “global heatmaps” feature that can show estimated rider traffic on the segment based on data from multiple sources (the thin red lines on the screenshot - the darker red, the more use).
A quick true story about RideWithGPS
A few years ago we rode the Colorado Trail (CT), a backcountry mountain bike and hiking route from Denver to Durango, Colorado. While on that ride, you can find yourself at any number of junctions, varying from gravel roads to singletrack and even the occasional paved detour. Sometimes it’s clear where to go because you see a small CT blaze sign on a post or tree. Other times it’s not clear or you weren’t paying attention. It’s then that you’ll be wandering on an abandoned logging road a mile past the correct turn.
Two fools in the dark but not lost at Stony Pass along the Colorado trail.
On that trip, we’d activate the app when we were skeptical and use it to find exactly where we were compared to the appropriate route. More than once it saved us loads of time and backtracking. Regardless of our level of experience, it was hugely helpful and reassuring.
This is a tool that can help folks feel confident in their route, even if they’re new to unfamiliar roads. Your ride may be on a commonly driven gravel road just outside of town. But it may feel far out there to you. Get out there. You’ve got this.
