Moab - 4.21.2012 - Mag 7 and More

With literally years of riding in Moab, we are always looking for new trails. Last year the Long Awaited Mag 7 trail finally became a reality making it possible to ride from the Gemini Bridges trail head to the bottom of poison spider or a more difficult route, the legendary Portal Trail.

We decided it was time for a technical taste test...

Guthrie called and  arranged with Chili bikes for a shuttle, however it didn't leave until nine and after a 4 a.m. start we arrived in Moab at seven. Determined not to waste any time, we rode the new north 40 trail in the Moab brand trails section. It is a fairly easy, nice flowy singletrack that was a good beginning to a long day.

The beginning of the Mag 7 was difficult to ride. Not because it is overtly technical, but because the scenery is amazing. Multiple times we left the trail mistakenly because our eyes were taking in the scenery.

At the top after the shuttle dropped us off there were 50 or so riders getting ready to go. We started off fast to break away from the pack and for the most of the day had the trails to ourselves.

The trail essentially follows well established jeep trails (gemini, gold bar rim, golden spike) which we had ridden before, only now, all singletrack.

The decision comes when gold bar meets golden spike. Following golden spike will get you down poison spider, is technically easier and there is a less likely hood of getting lost.

Or, you can follow Goldbar very steeply to the rim, connect with an extremely technical trail only known as the "blue dot trail", then descend via the cliff edged Portal trail.

We chose this route.

After climbing the Gold Bar Rim trail we had Lunch with a view atop a 1,000 foot cliff overlooking 191 as it enters Moab.

It was here we began Blue dot.

I think the blue dot trail may be one of the most technical trails in Moab. It is never ending body shifting, ledge dropping, steep climbing, boulder hopping goodness.

With Guthrie's new Stumpy Evo he was trying everything there was to offer, it was impressive to say the least. I rode most of it, but chose to dismount and walk a few sections to "take pictures".

The trail also winds along the cliff edge, right along the cliff edge in places.

Notice the Blue "caution" sign written on the rock.

After about 6 miles (which seems like 20) of this technical treat, the trail reconnects with poison spider near the portal descent.

I would call the portal trail a ride-a-hike trail. It is not overly technical (although at the bottom when it leaves the cliff edge it is) , but combine that with a 1,000 drop on one side and a vertical cliff on the other and it is slightly nerve racking. Add in the three signs that say, "dismount now and walk, some one died here" and it is a different experience all together.

We walked some, but rode more.

After reaching the road, it was back into town and subway to lunch, then on to our third then fourth trail of the day.

The third trail was literally 1.5  miles of a sandy road, riddled with four wheelers and dust, heading out the Monitor and Merrimac buttes. Needless to say, after riding prime singletrack for 4 hours we were in no mood to ride a sandy road.

We returned to the car and headed out to Klondike bluffs, where we did a quick out and back on Dino Flow and little salty. A nice smooth flowy end to a 40 mile, workout of a day.

Driving home, we realized this was a day we will never forget.

The Mag 7, Blue Dot, Portal trail system is a technical feast that will work you physically and mentally. I would recommend it for strong riders who love adventure.

We will be doing it again.

So True

Acquired from our most recent Moab biking trip, it has been added to the bike shed wall.

Therapy

You know those days when you wake up and you know you are going to have a good day? Well, yesterday was not one of those days. In fact it was just the opposite. My alarm went off at 5:45... 5:55.... 6:05..... then 6:15. My bed felt unusually comfortable and the crisp air in the room had me doing everything I could to just stay in bed. Finally, about 6:23 I rolled out of the covers. I threw on some clothes then went to work.

It was one of those times I secretly wished to get into an accident to postpone going to work. Instead, I was just late for being tired, which in most jobs, is looked down upon.. Anyway, this pattern continued throughout my day until I got home.

I looked at my scheduled workout for the day and did not feel like doing another work out inside. Around 7:30 I thought about going biking.., but it was too late. At 7:40, I thought maybe it would work, but probably not enough light.. Then again at 8:00, I decided to put the light on my bike and go.

I got my gear, my dog, my bike and headed out the door at 8:16. I got to the trailhead to find out the only light I had was dead. Great.. I decided to go anyway and try to push it as hard as I could (probably no faster than a slow walk) until I reached the top. Trying to go as fast as I could on an extended uphill climb, I reached the top in the dark and wanted to throw up. I rested at the top for a minute, gave my dog some water, went along the road for a minute then headed back down. Not being able to see, it was pretty slow coming down, but there was just enough light from the stars to stay on the trail.

I stopped for a minute to look around at the clear skies and how rad the mountains are at night. My dog was having the time of her life running around in the mountains and my mind was no longer worrying about the day, any of life stresses or worries. It just felt good to be on my bike outside in the mountains. It was a good night.

Even though I was feeling like I had overdone it and wanting to throw up, I felt better, more energized and happy. We got home at 9:15 and my day wasn’t too bad after all.

Just Riding - Provo Canyon 3.31.12

Saturday was one of those days where we almost have to force ourselves to ride and it turns out amazing. Guthrie and I had been struggling with a stomach flu the week before, but with possible 80 degree temperatures (which we did hit and broke a long time record), we couldn't miss a day like that.

We began very slow and climbed and explored new trails, the following is a picture summary of the trip.

Due to the wind the night and day before, the air was clear and we could see for miles.

Hard to believe it is late March and such little snow in the mountains, this is the GWT climbing up from the altar to the pass at the top of Dry creek for a descent, alas the snow stopped us.

Gorgeous blue skies and bike (2011 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO).

We decide to take a few pictures descending Dragon's back...Guthrie pinning it.

This year we have explored these trails more than ever before, and we couldn't be more happy with them. They provide good training, variety and some technical portions (you can find them on this website Timp Foothill Trails).

Long live Utah biking...

Antelope island

Early Spring Biking in Utah is always a little difficult to come by. As the snow melts and the temperatures warm the trails become muddy and sticky. Too sticky and muddy to ride. There are a few places however where we have usually found success, Price or Antelope Island state park. This Saturday we opted for the latter, and we were very glad we did.

This Is Guthrie out on Elephant head point. It is a beautiful place that made us feel like we were on a ride in California and not Utah.

Again, views from Elephant head. Unfortunately it was a somewhat hazy day and the Camera could not do the view justice.

If you notice, Guthrie is not wearing clip less shoes nor peddles. He is testing out flats for a while based on the experiences of many that using flats makes one a better rider. He found them enjoyable and different, but more difficult in technical terrain.

There was a small amount of snow on the shadowed edges of the trail, but only a few wet spots scattered sporadically.

We ended up riding 24 miles of mostly single track mixed with a few miles of double track. While the trails are mostly intermediate, there are a few very technical miles on elephant head, white rocks bay, and the loop past elephant head.

This is a great spring/fall location to ride. However, I would stay away in the summer. The heat becomes oppressive, there are bugs by the millions, and a stench from the dying brine shrimp that is anything but pleasant.

If you have not ridden or been to Antelope Island it is definitely worth a trip. If mountain biking isn't your thing then Hiking Frary peak may be. It likes in the middle of the island and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding area. Not many places in Utah where you can climb a peak and be surrounded with water.

Happy Adventures...

Sedona Marathon Bike Trip

Biking as much as we do, we are always looking, searching for new areas, trails and adventures. For quite some time Sedona Arizona has been on our list, but the 8 hour drive was just farther than we wanted to drive...normally. However, when we had a free weekend and over the edge sports had just published some pictures with a brief story about their trip, we decided it was time.

We left Utah at 5:00 Friday night and arrived home 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning. 17 hours driving, 12 hours biking. It was amazing!

We arrived in Sedona around 1 a.m. and found our campsite out side of town, with no real map, we were going on the details and explanation of the staff from Over The Edge, which luckily was accurate. We pitched a tent and were asleep by 2:30. We woke up at 6 and by seven were in the car ready for the first trail.

Our Morning View, no clouds, Bikes...we knew it was going to be a great day.

The First trail we rode was the Aerie/Cockscomb trail, a short 6-7 mile loop that is fun. It essentially winds around a small mountain, is somewhat technical in places but also flowy and fast in others, and the scenery was amazing. Definitely a repeat.

After the morning ride we headed into town to visit Over the Edge sports and get more beta about which trails to ride, including a map. (One side note here, there are trails all over Sedona and the map is not great, we got lost multiple times and even had a gps. Next time we plan to download tracks and follow them.)  We decided to do a big 35ish mile loop that started right at the shop. So we headed out of town;

And begun to climb, and Got Lost. But just look how gorgeous this area is.

We ended up doing Airport loop, the climb up was technical with baby head sized rocks, surrounded by cactus, but still a great time.

Flat tire, I hit a cactus.

Descending the airport loop is fun and scenic!

Now this is where the Pictures of Guthrie end. We began the actual real loop and my rear hub started having issues. I didn't want to get stuck out on the trail 15 miles from town so I rode back to the shop and rode a smaller loop closer to town that will still a blast, then rode in to meet Guthrie.

The new/used bike, (New to me) 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert. I loved how it rode, plus now the blood doesn't show when it gets on the frame. This is where I waited for Guthrie.

He never showed because he got lost, and found his way back to town on a different trail, so I rode back to town alone, arriving at 6pm, just before dark.

We packed up the car and drove home. It took me 4 liters of mountain dew to make it home without falling asleep. I was in bed by 6am, then awake at 11 for church...I had to teach. Then I slept.

Sedona is an amazing place to ride, we will definitely be doing it again. However, some things we learned.

1- Gap (a town in AZ is creepy at night).

2- In Sedona, maps are not enough for a long ride. Ride with someone who knows the trails or download gps tracks before. (this is what we will be doing)

3- The trails and scenery are amazing, this is atleast a once or twice a year trip.

4- I want to go and stay over night to see the town, it looks sweet.

Last First bike ride?

Every year, when the first snow falls, I try to do one last ride. This year, or I should say season, was a little different however. Because the temperatures were so mild and there was a lack of snow, we continued to ride through November and December. Last week I even was able to do two night rides, wearing only a long sleeve jersey and long pants, that is crazy!!

This year the first snowfall, that stopped biking (maybe, as it was so minimal) , didn't happen until January 7, 2012. So I rode from Timpanogos park up racecourse to the "altar" (the pile of rocks in the first picture), Down crank to Beginning of Dragon's back then dropped into Johnson's Hole and back down to the parkway trail and my car, about 9 miles overall. Not long, but long for January 6th.

This picture is looking down into "Johnson's Hole" as it is called. This is a newer trail we just recently found and is a fantastic addition to the trail network at the mouth of Provo canyon.

Utah is such a fabulous place to live. Within one hour of our home there lies, Payson canyon (black hawk, Bennie), Spanish fork canyon (Three fork loop, Monk, Strawberry ridge), American Fork Canyon (Ridge, Ant's knoll, Tibble fork) Corner canyon, Lambert...Etc. Within two hours there is Price, The San Rafael Swell and  Salt lake valley. Within 3-4 hourse lies the world famous Moab with all it has to offer and St. George/Hurricane with what some regard as the best trail in the United States, Gooseberry Mesa and it's twin, little Creek, among many other greats (Guacamole, Slickrock swamp, Grafton, Zen, etc).

People travel around the world to ride these trails. Trails which grace the cover of multiple magazines regularly. Bike tests are done there. Outerbike is held in Moab. MBA action devotes entire photo sections just to Moab because they receive so many pictures from there.

And we can ride it almost any time we want.

Yes Utah is quite a place for the Mountain Biker or Outdoor adventurer.

I am glad to call it home.