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Written By Gabby Anstey
BMX/DIRT BIKE OPPS
Montrose is home to one of the most superb spots for BMX and dirt bike riding. With about 40,000 rideable acres of rolling swells, soft dirt, few trees and easily avoidable rocks, Adobe Hills (which extends from the edge of the Black Canyon in Montrose to the North Fork of the Gunnison River outside Delta), is a free-for-all for hill climbers, jumpers, huckers, trail riders and moto-cross racers. And they know it. On any given weekend, the area is crawling with spinning wheels and padded riders.

"It's a great place," says Adobe Hills regular Charlie Lujan. "Because the dirt is so soft, it makes for soft landings where you can wreck and get up and walk away. And, after it rains, the riding is especially awesome."

Much of the Adobe Hills area is part of a National Conservation Area—an area that typically surrounds a national park. Although designated officials said area usage would remain the same (motorized vehicles are permitted in National Conservation Areas), Adobe Hills lovers constantly feel the future of their riding paradise is vulnerable.

"It's always a threat and the area is always changing," says Kevin Anderson who owns Davis Service Center in Montrose. Some of the hot spots in Adobe Hills are Flat Top, accessible from Montrose; The Oasis, accessible from Delta; and The Crack, accessible from Olathe. Riders of all ages, male and female, travel from all over to ride year-round. The area is also a training ground for many pros and the approximate 100 regional riders who compete.

VINTAGE CAR SHOW
If you're in Montrose July 9-11, you'll see some pretty cool cars cruising around. Roadmasters, Corvairs, Model A's, you name it; they'll all be getting together for the Black Canyon Classics Car Club's Ninth Annual Colorful Colorado Car, Truck & Rod Show.

"This is a passion for a lot of folks," says Frank Kinion, coordinator and chairperson for the show last year. "We had 325 cars come from seven states. We're one of the largest vintage car shows on the Western Slope."

Vintage car lovers (and new car lovers-Kinion says the show also includes some flashy, modern-day vehicles) take enormous delight in their automobiles. They shine them, clean them, tune them, restore them and love to drive them.

"We pride ourselves on driving our cars," says Kinion. "For the show, almost all are driven right into town."

At the show, held on Columbine Middle School's field, cars are voted on by participants at the show and awarded trophies. There are also many vendors and ongoing events. The Black Canyon Quilt Show is held at the same time and courteous car owners shuttle patrons between events.

For more information, visit www.blackcanyonclassics.org.