In past years, the publication has called Durango “Hardbody Valhalla,” one of the seven best sports towns in the country and ranked Fort Lewis College as one of the nation’s 40 best colleges for adventurers. Now Outside Magazine has done it again. In its August 2006 issue, the top adventure sports publication printed its annual “Best Outside Towns” story. In the spread, it taps Durango as the “Best Mountain Biking Town” in the nation.

The story opens, “One small detail from the Mountain Bike World Cup that was held here five years ago will tell you all you need to know about Durango. The course ran through the Steamworks Brewing Company, entering where the front window had been

removed, passing the bar and exiting via the side patio. That’s not the only clue that off-road biking trumps most other priorities in this dirthead arcadia, where the undammed Animas River flows past a backdrop of 13,000-foot-plus San Juan peaks.”

Outside goes on to laud the junior mountain biking program, the Durango Wheel Club development program and the Tuesday-night group rides as options for the developing racer. It also lists the Horse Gulch trail system, Hermosa Creek and the venerable Test Track as good places to get your fat tires rolling.

Todd Wells, current national cyclocross champion, former Olympian and longtime Durangoan, offers Outside a little perspective on the local scene. “The

cycling community is incredible: great group rides, great trails, great roads and great people,” he says. The story also give props to local professionals, Ned Overend, Juli Furtado, Myles Rockwell and Tom Danielson.

But it’s not all podium places and sweet singletrack in the article. In a “Reality Check,” Outside uncovers an unfortunate Durango truth, writing, “With the Denver and Salt Lake City job markets both more than 300 miles away, all too many starstruck new arrivals join the ranks of advanced-degree holders who end up waiting tables.”

Outside’s “Next Best” mountain biking town was none other than former winner and nearby fat tire mecca, Moab, Utah.

– Will Sands