Eco-Friendly Transportation Guide: Biking Through Fort Collins' Craft Beer Trail

Before hitting Fort Collins' famous beer trail, you'll need the right equipment. While my trusty Specialized road bike travels with me to most destinations, Fort Collins offers excellent rental options if you're flying in.

I recommend starting at Fort Collins Bike Share, where you can grab a sturdy cruiser perfect for brewery hopping. For something more performance-oriented, Recycled Cycles near Old Town offers high-quality rentals that handle the occasional off-road detour between breweries. Their knowledgeable staff reminds me of my hockey coaches—technical experts who genuinely want to see you succeed.

Before setting out, download the FC Bike Map app on your phone, which shows dedicated bike lanes and paths throughout the city. I always secure my phone to my handlebars using a bike phone mount, which keeps navigation visible while protecting my device from vibrations.

For carrying brewery purchases and personal items, I suggest a waterproof bike pannier. These German-engineered bags have accompanied me through downpours in the Pacific Northwest and kept my gear bone dry—they'll easily handle a few crowlers of your favorite Fort Collins brews.

The eastern stretch of the Poudre River Trail forms what locals call the 'hoppy highway'—a 2-mile section connecting two of Fort Collins' most iconic breweries. This is where I always begin my beer trail adventure.

Start at New Belgium Brewing, the sustainability pioneer whose environmental practices impressed even my environmental science professor back at Dartmouth. Their Tour de Fat celebration perfectly encapsulates the bike-beer connection that makes Fort Collins special. The brewery tour (reserve in advance!) showcases their carbon-neutral brewing process, which reminds me of innovative climate adaptations I've witnessed in Nordic countries.

From New Belgium, follow the tree-lined path northwest to Odell Brewing. The ride takes about 10 minutes, offering scenic views of the river and plenty of spots to pause for photos. Odell's patio provides the perfect rest stop, with their 90 Shilling amber ale complementing the golden aspen leaves that frame the mountains beyond.

I always wear my polarized sunglasses on this route. Unlike bulkier sports sunglasses, these lightweight frames stay put during activities while eliminating glare from the water and providing UV protection—essential when you're at Colorado's higher elevation.

After exploring the riverside breweries, I recommend heading to Old Town Fort Collins for a more urban biking experience. The historic district's brick buildings and pedestrian-friendly streets remind me of smaller European cities, where bicycles and pedestrians take priority over cars.

Old Town is home to several outstanding breweries within a compact, easily bikeable area. Equinox Brewing's hidden garden patio feels like a secret discovery, while Coopersmith's Pub combines traditional English-style ales with pub fare that perfectly refuels hungry cyclists.

Navigating Old Town's busier streets requires more attention than the dedicated bike paths. I always bring my bike safety lights for visibility, even during daylight hours. These bright, rechargeable lights have saved me from distracted drivers more times than I can count—from Copenhagen to Seattle.

For brewery hopping in this area, I recommend a 'hub and spoke' approach: lock your bike in a central location and explore several spots on foot. The compact bike lock provides excellent security while being light enough to carry in a daypack. After witnessing a teammate's bike get stolen in Boston, I never compromise on lock quality.

For cyclists looking to escape the crowds, the southern brewery circuit offers a more adventurous experience. This 8-mile loop connects several excellent breweries that showcase Fort Collins' experimental brewing scene.

Start at Funkwerks, specialists in Saison-style beers that remind me of farmhouse ales I've enjoyed in the French countryside. From there, head south to Zwei Brewing for German-inspired lagers that would impress even my beer-snob friends from Munich.

This route involves more road cycling than the others, so proper hydration becomes essential. My insulated water bottle keeps water cold for hours even in direct Colorado sunshine—crucial when alternating between beer tastings and longer rides.

The southern route takes you through residential neighborhoods and past horse properties that reveal Fort Collins' agricultural roots. The terrain here reminds me of how climate shapes both landscape and local products—the clear mountain water that flows from the Rockies contributes significantly to the exceptional quality of Fort Collins' craft beers, much like how terroir influences wine.

For this longer route, I always bring my cycling multi-tool. After a chain mishap left me stranded miles from my hostel in Patagonia, I never ride without basic repair capabilities.