Terrible Timp Hike

Ever had one of those hikes that you just can't find something good to say about it, except "At least I went" ? That was My attempted Timp Hike. First off Timp isn't my favorite hike, it's crowded, I've done it various times, and the first time I hiked it my dad dislocated his shoulder and we ran down in an hour. I was 8, it was not fun.  However, my two brothers and I decided, after much encouragement from Sasquatch, to hike it early Saturday morning. It wasn't a good start as we left at 3:30 and I didn't fall asleep until 2.  I just wasn't feeling well.

We began at a fast pace, we tend to hike fast, faster. Our goal was to finish it in 5 and 1/2 hours. We all hike, bike and workout frequently, so it was achievable. I was a little tired but just thought it was from a lack of sleep. Arriving at the first step, I was really feeling it, breathing hard and sweating, but just attributed it to the altitude. By the second step I was having trouble keeping up, and began feeling nauseous. Mid-way to the third step, the big valley where the shack is, I couldn't keep up at all and was feeling terrible. I sat to rest and when I started again felt like I was going to throw up and began to shiver.

Now understand, I never get cold. It was below 30 degrees, but I was dressed well and still shivering. I shouted that I was going back, they should keep going  and I would just lay in the back of the truck until they got back. It took me longer to get down than up. I spent about an hour laying in the dirt by the side of the trail. It took me four hours to go 11 miles.

The pictures were all taken on the way down, it wasn't that light, but I was bored.  Arriving at the truck I laid in the back,shivering, on the dog bed, for  an hour and a half until they got back. Driving down the canyon I never stopped shivering.

Arriving home I couldn't get warm, hot tub, blankets, nothing worked and I was having serious, shall we say "stomach problems". Turns out I had a fever of over 102 degrees. Now I associate the Timp hike with all that is horrible.

I will probably never do it again.

Actually, I'm sure I will.

I'm just that way, you can't let a trail beat you.

Why did I share this? Because I still feel lousy and I'm bored.

The Whole Enchilada

The Whole Enchilada has become Moab Legend. A 27.5 mile long Bike trail that descends 7,000 feet from Burro Pass in the Manti-Lasals, to the Colorado river via Porcupine Rim. The trail changes from High Alpine riding. . .fast quick turns. . .wide open fired road. . .desert technical single track. . .ending with he Porcupine Trail then Single track.

27.5 Bone Jarring, amazing, technical, scenic Miles.

At 4 A.M. Saturday Morning we loaded up the four bikes.

Arriving at 10,000 feet it was 30 degrees at 9 in the Morning and windy.

The ride up is more of a ride/walk. It isn't overly steep, but at around 11,00 feet it is rough. My Brother-in-law, Corey "The Animal" Boren left Pennsylvania at sea level, flew here and within 12 hours was at 11,000 feet. Not highly recommended or healthy. But adventurous!! Thus the nickname "the animal" I spent most of the day trying to keep up.

I had to ride the last few feet, not miles, to the top.

Looking back at the climb.

The Ride down burro is loose, steep and beautiful with various stream crossings. It is hard to believe this is 40 minutes from Moab.

The Aspens were Phenomenal. The trail was perfect because the mountains had received a light amount to rain recently.

This is looking back at Burro pass. Gavin is climbing the single track from Burro up to the Hazzard trail. Which is filled with Quick single track with various man-made gap jumps and bermed turns. One note, this was Gavin's "sasquatch's" third mountain bike ride in many years and the first on a full-suspension and he rocked it. He hit a few trees, ate some dirt, danced with his bike and had problems changing his tire, but for his third time. . .amazing.

The Colors were amazing and the Light was perfect.

This is a picture of the Rim on which you descend. Th trail winds out to and away from this rim for the next 10 miles or so.

"the Animal", Guthrie and Gavin "Sasquatch" standing on the rim overlooking some cool valley.

"The Animal" Riding along the rim, looking back at the Manti-lasals where we started.

Gage

Guthrie

Gavin "Sasquatch"

"The animal" is pointing to the peak by the side of the pass where we started, 3 hours before.

Gavin "Sasquatch"

Guthrie

The overall first time feeling of the ride;

"The animal" this is the most amazing ride I have ever done" - "This is like a sampler ride"

Gavin "Sasquatch" "I liked some parts." - "I can't believe I spent 50 dollars to ride this" (He rented a bike) - "I can't believe people actually ride that. . ."

It was Mine and Guthrie's fifth time, it was amazing but not as eye opening.

After we finished the Whole Enchilada we hit subway for lunch (a tradition). Visited various bike stores, eyeing the new bikes, parts and clothing. Then headed out for ten more miles on the Moab Brand trails

It took us 3 hours and ten minutes of riding to ride the whole enchilada. But a total time of 5 hours because of Lunch and waiting one hour to fix a difficult flat. (It was Gavin's first time using presta tubes and pumps.) Another hour and a half riding ten miles on the Moab Brand trails.

A total of 37.5 miles of riding . We arrived home at 10:30 P.M., not too bad for one day but also not our most mileage.

We love these trips, the scenery is absolutely amazing and the adventure factor is off the charts. Only Biking could you see this much mileage in this amount of time via man-powered travel.

What an amazing state in which we live. People come from the world over to ride these trail and yet within three miles we can be partaking in the single track bliss. If you bike, you need to ride this trail - but be ready for a very difficult, but incredible ride. Miles and miles of rough technical riding. If you don't bike - you are missing out!

For another good explanation, detailed biking and driving directions check out Utah Mountain Biking.com Click on trails - select by region - Moab - Whole Enchilada is at the very bottom

Bikes and Blackness

Look really close at the picture, see the trees in the back ground? Closer, now can you see them. . .that was the problem neither could we.

The friday night ride was the combination of various, shall we say, oversights.  I forgot that it got dark around 8:30 (even earlier in the mountains).

I forgot to fix my brake before we left. I forgot to really check the distance of the route. I forgot how out of shape I am and that Gavin hadn't ridden for some time and I forgot to bring a flashlight.

We started the ride around 6 p.m. No problem, the usual stuff. Begin at the flat near cascade springs, ascend to the summit parking, follow the ridge trail to mud springs down, cross tibble and begin to climb, Stop fix brake, work on bikes, Begin switch backs, Darkness begins, darkness comes, trail disappears. Altitude; 7,800 feet, visibilty; zero, Moon; what moon? For one half hour we biked by braille. The final hour we rode by the light of a blackberry curve and a samsung highlight. They are not rated for night riding.

He was very excited to see his truck.

At 10:30 p.m. we reached the car and truck. It was 37 degrees and we were in shorts and t-shirts. The average men would have been nervous and cold.

New Weight Loss Idea

"Use more energy than you put in your face!"

No way we thought of that! Click to see where I got it.

It's so simple, If only I could do it.

I always figure; Eat more, Exercise more.

It usually ends up; Eat more, Exercise less.

It's not fat, It's fuel!

Susupension Trainer

My brother and I are always looking for new ways to workout as we get bored very easily. The TRX Suspension Trainer (TM) came out and we were interested. However at 150-200 dollars, it was far more than what we wanted to spend. so . . 

I found a picture on the internet and made my own. It cost 15 dollars for materials. PVC handles, 25 feet of one inch webbing, and some lashing cams found at Uncle Sam's army surplus store.

Others

TRX

Jungle Gym

Mine

The handles and part for adjustment. It adjusts form 6 to about 12 feet.

My top - The attachment part.

Another I made for My wife

The only problem now is that I can only do about 12 reps of each exercise. It's very different because you have to use your core muscles to support yourself so there is no opportunity to really rest. In truth, I'm just very out of shape. But so far I am enjoying it.

W.R.I.A.D. White Rim in a day

The White Rim is a 103 mile, over 9,000 feet of climbing, four wheel drive road in Canyonlands National Park outtside of Moab, UT. I did the trail 20 years ago as a 16 year old teenager, but remembered little of the experience. Lately I had read about many who were riding it in a day, so of course my brother Guthrie and I decided to do the same. It was a rough beginning and I suppose it was an indicator of the ride itself.

We arrived 9:30 P.M. and drove to the Canyonland entrance station where we stashed two gallons of water, some gatorade and other misc. items. We then drove to the parking above the well known Horsethief climb. The wind was strongly blowing, creating a sandstorm. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun. For the next thirty minutes we set up the tent, put rocks inside and out, then laid down for a fitful night. We discovered two things; screen tents are not good in sandstorms and it is difficult to sleep with sand in your nose, mouth, hair, clothes and sleeping bag. After no sleep we finally decided to arise at three thirty, got ready and were on our way.

The first ten  miles were with the wind. We rode with headlamps and were quite bored. Later as we climbed against the wind, we couldn't wait for the down hill after the park entrance. But the wind got stronger and stronger. We had to peddle down hill to even keep going, for the next 90 miles we fought 30 mph headwinds, 60 mph gusts and sandstorms. The views were pretty but were soon eclipsed by the relentless, annoying wind.

Because of the wind, we were riding slower and began to run out of water, so at around one we began to only sip to conserve. Dehydration began and we became weaker and began to feel nauseas. It was awesome. With 10 miles left the sand began. This is my favorite picture of the trip. The wind and sand was blowing, we were almost out of water, and the sand was too deep to ride, so we sat/laid down to rest before the last push to the end.

Finally at mile 100 we came upon the final climb; Horsethief, 900 feet in two miles, No energy or water. We were excited. Guthrie rode most and walked some, I rode some and walked most.

Arriving at the top we threw everything in the car, retrieved the stash bag, and drove into town to get water.

103.5 miles, approx. 12 hours riding, 14 hours total, 64 oz gatorade, 100 oz water, 11 Gu Packs, 6 Endurolyte tablets. 1 Fruit Snaxx, 2 Fruit leater, one PBH (peanut butter and honey) sandwich. We arrived home that at 2 A.M. feeling exhausted and dehydrated.

We both agreed we would never do it again. It wasn't too hard, just too much four wheel drive road. We love single track, not car track. Overall a cool ride to say we did once.

Pony Express Trail 60 Miler

The Pony Express Trail, other wise known as "the Pony". Many stories have been written and recalled about this famous mail trail. In utah it's path is marked by the occasional stone monument and even less occasional metal marker post. Off-road enthusiasts, scouts, hikers, bikers, cattle and sheep men commonly frequent it's path. For us it was a training ride in preparation for the W.R.I.A.D. or White Rim In A Day.

We decided to begin at the top of Lookout Pass so that we could end on an uphill, as the White Rim does. It was 6:30 in the morning and about 40 degrees so as we descended the path our fingers began to hurt, then numb, then hurt as the sun later hit them. Sixteen miles later we saw the first land mark; Simpson Springs and the small outpost cabin that has been re-erected. The area was full of scouts and others visiting the remote location. Here we stopped to mess with the bikes, okay Guthrie's bike, ditch some clothing and use the facilities.

From this point on there were no more large sites, We saw only one other marker as we continued along the road, which from all estimation appeared to go on for miles and miles until reaching the mountains on the other side of the valley. One note of excitement was the herd of sheep we passed through. We were tempted to put one on out shoulders and ride away, just for some added interest, but were quickly disuaded when a very large dog, that looked to be a husky lab mixed, rapidly approached, I shielded myself behind Guthrie.

After Thirtly miles we reached our turnaround point out in the middle of nowhere and sat down for our lunch of a sandwich, Gu Gels, Gatorade and granola bars. This is the view from each direction.

From here we turned around and returned the way we came. While we enjoyed the ride out, the ride back began to get very boring, with the same scenery, same roads but no sheep this time. At mile 50 we noticed there was actually green out in the desert and decided to take one last picture.

Mile 50, I have no idea where I am or what mountain that is. 10 miles later with sore butts and dirty legs we arrived back at the car. I enjoyed doing this once but will never do this as an out-n-back again. Next time, there will be a next time, we will do a point to point.

Total Distance - 60.5 miles

Total Ride Time - 5:20

 Average Speed - 11.3 mph

Food Eaten - One Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich, Three Gu Packs, Two Endurolyte Tablets, 1 Fruit Snaxx, 1 Granola Bar. . .

Sore Butts - 2