Off to Moab

[Del]

So im heading to moab on the 24th of this month and was just wondering if anyone had any good tips. How about driving there too? What do you think is the best way? How long should it take and so on.

Thanks,
a really stoked Del

[Team2K]

sweeet ! enjoy that slick rock :D

[trout]

:woot: Amasa back was one of my favourite trails, have fun!

[corey@nsmb.com]

Really?

I gotta ask who you are going with..because I am also going this month!

[Mountain Dewd]

Long drive, but pretty, defanatly ride amasa back and porcupine ridge. On the 24th exactly there is a freeride comp there too. if you left a day or two earlier you might be able to make it.


It is at barlett wash which is a awesome place to ride just like freeflowing slickrock, there are some sweet hucks and stuff too. http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80585&highlight=moab

Another place that is fun to ride but i think is closed this year is the moab rim trail, right on the side of town, there is a chairlift that goes like right up a cliff and than there are some sweet dh trails, so big hucks, like 12 15 feet and some gnarly ladder bridges and a few skinnys. I am not sure if it is even open now, but you should be able to find out.

If you check out some bike shops chili pepper is my favorite, it is right on the main highway through town. Posion spider is ok too and there are a bunch of others. There is this cool hippy dude who runs this classy shop that only like sells ellsworths and he is cool might want to check that place out.

anyway have fun, i was planning on going this year with my dad and flying out around the 22nd, but something came up with his work, so there is a possibilty me and a buddy are gonna drive out, in which case i will keep an eye out for your .243;)

[Del]

Originally posted by corey@nsmb.com
Really?

I gotta ask who you are going with..because I am also going this month! -Myself, ill be on a .243 with sherman flick
-friend on a black/red fade azonic evolution 2 with a 2000 z1qr20,
-then my dad and another buddy on xc bikes.
Hopefully well see you around.

[Bryce]

i'm so jealous. I keep having to postpone my trip due to friends bailing. Now I'm aiming for Interbike since there are bound to be tons of people heading down for that.

I think it usually takes us 20-22 hours to drive there from Vancouver. The route is pretty straightforward via Interstates. Boise is a decent place to stop (1/2 way) if you're gonna take 2 days to drive, some fun trails in the foothills.

Amasaback is good, Poisin Spider to Portal is good, Porcupine Rim is super fun. I wouldn't bother paying for the SLickrock trail unless you're really into XC - Bartlet Wash slickrock is better for freeriding.

Have a blast

[pete@nsmb.com]

Have so much fun. Amasa Back and Porcupine Rim are two of the best. And also Slick Rock, of course - be in shape, though, town is at 4,000 ft, and the trails go up (sometimes a long way) from there.

For most stuff, you probably won't feel the need for armor or your full face, unless you're dropping stuff. There is some good tech stuff there, but mostly, just enjoy the fun XC, and the insane views.

Best Moab tip ever - you can poach a hot tub (awesome if your campsite doesn't have showers) at one or two of the motels on the main road - just wait until you see a car with bikes on the roof pull into the lot, and ask them if they'll let you into the pool - beer helps. Worked like a charm, and a hot tub after 8 hours of riding is mint.

Post up pics when you get back.

[Sharon]

We've done it in one go in 22 hours. That was with snow in the Blue Mountains...

Its easier if you drive as much as you can the first evening. stay in a hotel in Yakama, Pendleton or Baker - Oregon.
http://www.cse.ogi.edu/oregon-map.html

DON'T SPEED IN OREGON!!!

If you are camping, there is a really great spot en route at the Wedge Overlook;
http://www.utah.com/bike/trails/wedge_overlook.htm

Another great place to camp near Moab is at "Big Mesa" ;
http://www.blm.gov/utah/moab/camp-wood-map.html

Bring water, and a shower bag...

[EaTDuRRRT]

what about taking the route from vancouver - washington - idaho - then down past salt like city???

wouldn't that be the fastest way

[243_ht]

Better make sure to buy a few spare sets of tires Matt.

but anyways it should be an awesome trip and you can come pick the roof rack anytime.

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by EaTDuRRRT
what about taking the route from vancouver - washington - idaho - then down past salt like city???

wouldn't that be the fastest way

No the roads are crappier and there are some higher passes to cross. The route through Oregon is the only one with a high pass

[pete@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by EaTDuRRRT
what about taking the route from vancouver - washington - idaho - then down past salt like city???

wouldn't that be the fastest way

That's the way she's talking about. 22 hours is a good time, but don't bother stopping, just grab a few 6ers of Red Bull and have at it - doing your first ride after 2 hours of sleep after pitching your tent bleary-eyed at the first campsite you find is part of the tradition for us.

Oh - no matter how good the forecast looks, bring a toque, jacket, and/or a thin insulating layer with you. It can still snow this time of year, and it's cold up high (and at night).

Other good camping spots - in the state site across the road from Slick Rock trail, and the Lions Back campground (on the left side of the road as you head toward Slick Rock). The state one doesn't have showers, though, so, as Sharon said, bring a shower bag - the desert sun does a great job warming it all day while you ride.

[Grimace]

grab beer before entering utah

[Couch_Surfer]

Definately don't miss Bartlett Wash - So. Damn. Much. Fun! It's like surfing your bike for 2km on the way back.

[The_Real_Yeti]

watch out for those mormans:thepimp:

[Oldfart]

On your way down, stop by the largest gap jump in the world. What's that town in Idaho called? The ramp is just outside town and can be seen from the off ramp. Its where Evil Kneivel didn't jump across the Snake River on his jet cycle and parachuted into the Snake River canyon. Twin Falls???

Remember you're in a Mormon run state. Some very odd liquor laws and week beer. There is a place called McStiffs?? where they serve up a good microbrew though. Bring spare parts too as Bill'm and Rob'm at that Slick Rock Cycles are not cheap and there isn't much competition in that town. There are other shops but they're all pricy. Take old tires as you don't need much tread down there. Take a day off to visit Arches Park too. Delicate Arch is pretty damn cool as are most of the gelogic features around there.

Salt Lake City has a bunch of manufacturers outlets like Patagonia if you're into getting outdoor clothing cheap. If you want to look up your roots, there a geneological library there too. The Mormons have one of the largest geneological listings in the world. The last time I drove down, the wife flew to Salt Lake and we got there way faster than we thought and had time to look around...a lot.

[Del]

thanks for the tips guys!
So let me get this straight, best way to drive is down the coast for a while and then hit an interstate over to idaho and stuff? Which way pete? state by state or the actual interstates if you know them.

[Sharon]

Buy a Map. They're quite useful and you won't end up in Vancouver Canada instead of Vancouver Washington...

http://www.randmcnally.com/rmc/directions/dirGetDirections.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1297403255.1 082086779@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadclfddlijkcgencfhjdfiidfjk.0&cmty=0

Type in Seattle Washington -> Moab, Utah

[Hepcat]

Try and find the trails up near Burro Pass. The rest of the trails in Moab are super fun, but in more of an easy/ scenic way. Ask about riding in the La Sal mountains, it's where the good stuff is at.
When in Moab watch out for goathead thorns and pack three times as much water as usual.
Have fun!

[MiKeY]

All I know about Moab is that you should go to your LBS, and pick up a set of cheap tires. Something like Stouts or something, because apparently the place just kills your tires so you don't want to be destroying a nice set of $100 tires.

[.243racer]

ok matt here are some pointers....

take the eastern washington, very tip of oregon, idaho, utah route. it should be about a 22-24 hour drive.

things to have for moab:

spare set of tires: tires are very expensive in moab
camel back: at least 2 litres
tubs and other bike stuff.....
oh and bring lots of food on your rides

trails to ride:

#1: porcupine rim: long climb up, sweet sweet down
#2 moab rim: hika bike up, single track valley, slickrock down
#3 slickrock trail: sandpaper paradise:thepimp:
#4 kolndike bluffs: i enjoyd theis trail .. it is an out and back style but the back is soo much fun!

oh get jhalepinjo (spelling way off) beer when you are down there.. supposedly it is world famous:???:

they also have some nice street and a skatpark there with some quaters and bowls

and for god sakes have fun!! christ that was a fun trip for me

:thepimp: :thepimp: :thepimp:

[Mountain Dewd]

i think Klondike is fun too, i rode it last year on my .243 witha chainguide and it was a biatch climbing, but the rip back is nice and there a sweet views, it is a good ride for like gettiing used to slickrock. Also you get to rip it up rally style on the little gravel rode that is like 3 miles long to the trailhead.;)

[pete@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by .243racer
ok matt here are some pointers....

take the eastern washington, very tip of oregon, idaho, utah route. it should be about a 22-24 hour drive.

trails to ride:

#1: porcupine rim: long climb up, sweet sweet down
#2 moab rim: hika bike up, single track valley, slickrock down
#3 slickrock trail: sandpaper paradise:thepimp:
#4 kolndike bluffs: i enjoyd theis trail .. it is an out and back style but the back is soo much fun!



^That is the right driving route. I 5 to Seattle, then cut over on I 80 I think. You go through Yakima, Pendleton in the northeastern tip of Oregon, then turn down into Idaho towards Salt Lake. But get a map, you'll be happy you did.

Porcupine Rim - it can be a long climb up (about 9 miles from Slickrock trail) but if you can organize a shuttle, you'll be gold. The climb if you start from the trailhead is only about 2 miles, and then the downhill is about 11 miles (with some uphill). It's fast, and super fun - lots of little rock ledges to double up, and some singletrack along the Colorado River towards the bottom with a few exposed places, so take it easy when it gets narrow. Leave some beers (or Cokes) in a cooler in the car at the bottom - you'll be glad you did.

Amasa Back is a long climb, but it's fun, and the views up top are great. We smoked it on the way down last time, and it was 15 minutes of DH craziness - and worth the climb.

We usually brought at least 2 litres of water and also a bottle of gatorade each, plus a few power bars or whatever you like - the heat will sap you - it's much different than on the shore.

And do spend an afternoon in Arches National Park - we were there at sunset this Fall and it was so great.

[Del]

is it seriously bad for tires? because since im gettign 26s and i havent had em my tires are gonna be brand spankin new and if they are gonna get fucked then er uahg jeeze, plus they are pricey tires maxxis bling blings lol. I dont see how slickrock could be any worse than urban shit :S

[Hepcat]

It's like sandpaper. It will definitely put some wear on your tires, but if you are just going for a few days don't worry about it. Me thinks it won't kill your bling bling new Maxxis rubber that fast.

[.243racer]

Originally posted by Del
is it seriously bad for tires? because since im gettign 26s and i havent had em my tires are gonna be brand spankin new and if they are gonna get fucked then er uahg jeeze, plus they are pricey tires maxxis bling blings lol. I dont see how slickrock could be any worse than urban shit :S

it is just there are a lot of cactuses....

the thorns get stuck in you tires and puncture any tube you have in there.. just be carful

[dirttorpedo]

Porcupine Rim is nice. You can hire a shuttle in town easy at one of the local bike shops. Unless you're a major xc stud, the 900 ft climb from the trail head is way better than crawling up from town (particularly on a FR bike). Reportedly you can shuttle up to the La Salle's and make it an epic descent (but dress for the cold as you'll start in the snow).

Lots of water is good. I went in May last year and found a 2L hydro a little small. A small pack that holds H20, tools, clothes, etc. Bring extra brake pads - the sand eats em up. Also sun screen and spf lip balm. My lips were trashed after 4 days.

You don't need sticky rubber - you could probably get away with some of those cheap Rokko's at MEC and save your Maxxis for the shore.

Slick rock is cool for the experience, but it is very XC although if you ride off the "trail" you can find some drops to do. I road my Kona stuff and found it a bit of a drag towards the end.

We did Klondike bluff as a warm up. Nice scenery, dino footprints and some deep sand pits to spin through. bit of a slog up, but nice ride down.

We tried to ride up to Gemini Bridges. Long XC ride on soft roads and lots of 4 x 4's and quads around. Hear its nice, but we didn't make it.

MEC has maps of the area. Arches is a definite to do. Have a good trip. We really enjoyed it.

[Del]

Thanks for the tips guys, this is great! Keep em comin. :D

[LeeLau]

There are some great mexican restaurants off the main drag that are really really good. Check out the one right next to Rim Cyclery. I Can't remember the name.

The grocery store on the southeast end of town has a salad bar where you can make a huge cheap salad..

If you need a shower - you can pay a little at the Lazy Lizard Lodge and shower there. Or you can just go for a swim in the river and save money.

Keep your tires pumped hard to avoid pinchflats on the rock or help with cactus

if you're riding clipless spray PAM all over your pedals. The dust there is super fine and clogs everything up. and I mean everything.

Wash your riding shorts chamois between every ride; see what i said about dust above.

Bring lots of lube. Dont bring the goop we use down here. Buy some white lightning or something thin. See what i said about dust

If you have riding gloves with padding on palm use them! The rock is a helluva lot less forgiving than our dirt

Bring lots of sunscreen.

Use ISO 100 film for almost every shot; Try a few black and whites too as they're awesome in that scenery.

When you're driving in or out of town; treat yourself to driving the scenic highway - its a little to the east of the main exit that everyone takes into town but so worth it

Visit Canyon lands. Its indescribable.

If you have some time; drive east about an hour and go ride in Fruita Colorado. Amazing trails

THere's a chairlift that will take you up Moab Rim. IMO its not worth it.

If you're feeling fit, don't just do Amasa Back. Do Hurrah Pass; climb jacob's Ladder and then do Amasa Back.

Ride the slickrock trail early in the morning. Its super crowded so watch for that. Try to do the entire loop in 1 1/2 hours; it can be done quite easily. You won't believe the traction you get

If you're riding slickrock you can save yourself the parking fee by parking outside the park and then riding into the park

Do NOT ignore the sign at Portal Rim trail which states "Do not ride this section. XXX riders have died here"

[LeeLau]

Here are some videos of riding in these areas which will get you inspired I hope - made by a buddy of mine. Pls right- click - and save as to save him on bandwidth charges!

http://www.petefagerlin.com/utvid.htm

Here are some more trail descriptions

http://www.dreamride.com/trails.html

They run awesome tours btw

[pete@nsmb.com]

All of Lee Lau's advice was bang on, and in many cases, important. The rubber you run is way less crucial there than the Shore, but don't worry about your Maxxis, they'll be fine unless you ride the slickrock a bunch of times.

Drink Gatorade - bring it from up in Canada if you have time to head to Costco and buy the powder.

Skip Gemini bridges - you'll see better arches elsewhere and the riding is not worth it. Some fun play areas but not a good payoff for the amount of XC and climbing.

[Mountain Dewd]

The mexican is bomb, the place near posion spider kinda next to a gas station is my favorite, but the one right at the entrance to town is good too, i forgot all the names, but they are real easy to find, they have awesome food there, especilly in april when the tourist season heats up, in winter everything closes

[ChunkyMonkey]

Great thread! I'm going down at the end of March and was looking for info on it. Thanks to those who have contributed.

I have a followup on the time it takes to get there. I'm a little worried about the times everyone is quoting. I drove to Vegas a couple of years ago at Christmas time and it took us about 22.5 hours from Vancouver (straight through, same route to Salt Lake City). We had lots of stops for gas and swapped drivers every two hours during the night. We also had to go through a bad snow storm in Eastern Washingon and a 1 hour highway closure in Arizona.

Just wondering if the 20-22 hours that people are quoting is a "generous" estimate? Going with my Vegas numbers, I was expecting about 18-19 max.

[trout]

We made it in 18 hours from Mission with very few stops and a heavy right foot, lots of straight open road.

[thad]

Lots of good advice.

If you like to drink beer, bring your own! Beer in Utah is expensive and weak, and crap selection.

I'd buy it in WA. Costco sells 24 bottles of Stella Artois for $23. Isn't it like $15 for a sixer of Stella in B.C.? Costco also carries Heineken, Sierra Nevada Pale ale, Alaskan Amber. There's one in Bellingham, down the Guide Meridian, past Bellis Fair mall.

[Luudwig]

thanks for the tips guys!
So let me get this straight, best way to drive is down the coast for a while and then hit an interstate over to idaho and stuff? Which way pete? state by state or the actual interstates if you know them.

This is the exact route we have taken in the past (22 hours straight through)

I5 to Seattle - I90 east to junction with I82 - then I82 to Yakima/Tri Cities area to I80 junction(Columbia river) -I80 through Oregon (Pendelton, Baker) and Idaho (Boise, Twin falls) to I15 junction - I15 to SLC to State Road No. 6 junction - through Price to I70 junction - I70 to Green river - south on state road 91 (i think ) to Moab.

[CraigH]

From Seattle to Fruita it took us did 18.5 hours on the way down & 17 on the way back, so the ~20 hours from Vancouver seems about right.

2nd Lee's suggestion about Fruita, the trails there are great. Planning to head down again this April/May for a couple of weeks of Southern Utah & Western Colorado riding hitting the Fruita Fat Tire Festival.

Pics from the FFTF last year:
http://photobucket.com/albums/y213/outridingmybike/2005_FFTF/

[CraigH]

The slowest section of the drive is Hwy 6 between Interstate 15 & Interstate 70.

If you leave here early in the morning, by the time you get to that highway it is dark.

It is a mountain pass so...

~~~~~~~~~~~

From Seattle:

4: Merge onto I-90 E via the exit on the LEFT toward BELLEVUE / SPOKANE. 108.1 miles

5: Merge onto I-82 E via EXIT 110 toward YAKIMA. 143.3 miles

6: Merge onto I-84 E via the exit on the LEFT toward PENDLETON. 555.1 miles

7: I-84 E becomes I-15 S. 82.6 miles

8: Merge onto US-6 E via EXIT 261 toward US-89 E / PRICE / MANTI. 151.6 miles

9: Take the US-191 exit- EXIT 180- toward MOAB. 0.4 miles

10: Turn RIGHT onto US-191. 31.4 miles

Arrive in Moab, UT US

Total Est. Time: 16 hours, 21 minutes Total Est. Distance: 1073.72 miles

[offman]

Biggest tip: Don't spend so much time in Moab that you miss Fruita. And if you stop in at Over the Edge, say hi to Tony for me, I haven't talked to him in ages.

[CraigH]

And if you stop in at Over the Edge, say hi to Tony for me, I haven't talked to him in ages.

Do you mean Troy?

[Del]

Ok, here is sorta a summary of that trip i took two years back for anyone interested. Photos posted as links.

For those who are wondering the trip was amazing! My favorite day was the shuttle/ climb up to do the 10 mile descent along the valley (Porcupine Rim) It kicked ass!! Bartlett Wash was way more fun then the slickrock trail imo, just lots of fun stuff to find lines http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mjhoover/mattbartletdrop.jpg on. One of the things i was most impressed with was that we could step out the back door of our hotel and find lines everywhere in the hills (there were some big possible drops too off the ends of some ridgelines, but i didnt bring a fullface or pads, nor am i a very daring rider. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mjhoover/mattbackyarddropsequence.jpg

That time of year, end of april, beginning of may was perfect for weather for us, but the americans arent there yet since for them its apparently not hot enough? I was sweating bullits and they were wearing jeans and sweaters :lol: crazy kids http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mjhoover/145_4586.jpg

oh and if you can time it right, stop in Salt Lake City's downtown core on a sunday, its like a bomb has gone off evaporating all signs of people (everyone is in church, finding coffee or chocolate is tough) hail satan http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/mjhoover/143_4388.jpg


BEER I dont know what people are talking about saying bring your own beer, thats more hassel then its worth. We found some great micro brews down there, and despite what people say, you can easily find beer that is 5%, it is just categorized differently to avoid the law. We found some awesome microbrews, and drank lots of mexican brew too, like Pacifico. Go and buy a 6pack atleast of the Dual Suspention beer, it kicks ass.

If anyone can help me make those above links just into underlined works hyperlinked or whatever the hell you people call it, then do it.

[Bryce]

I like March or October - its the off season but the days are still long enough for 2 rides. Plus you can ride in the middle of the day without dying

I just wish the ol green was legal down there

[axisofevelknievel]

I'm so glad I went down to Moab this fall and I'm already looking forward to my next trip there.

A few recommendations:
- Instead of doing 'just' Porcupine Rim, try to get a shuttle to do Kokopelli Down to Porcupine Rim. You skip the worst part of PR and get an extra few miles of single track. It ends up being a 4000' descent, but I'm not sure of the overall distance.
- Sovereign Singletrack is a fun trail network that doesn't get mentioned as much as other trails in Moab.
- The Slickrock trail is interesting and unique, and is probably worth hitting but it isn't the be all and end all that many people make it out to be. Upside: it is one of the most unique trails in the world, and the views alone make it worth riding. Downside: it isn't the flowiest trail, and having to follow the painted line around is a bit frustrating, as it is probably the complete opposite of freeriding.

I'm sure there are plenty of other recommnedations I can pass along to you, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

[Bryce]

- Instead of doing 'just' Porcupine Rim, try to get a shuttle to do Kokopelli Down to Porcupine Rim. You skip the worst part of PR and get an extra few miles of single track. It ends up being a 4000' descent, but I'm not sure of the overall distance.

that sounds like a good option. I think I prefer Porc Rim as an out and back - more singletrack and less road than the loop. You gotta time it though otherwise you'll be pulling over every few minutes on the ST

[Couch_Surfer]

2 new tips learned from last years trip...

1: moab microbrewery sells beer by the jug to go. ask for a growler. they rock.
2: there is a butcher across the street from the hostel. he makes the best damn jerky in the state. it tastes even better after hour two of a ride.

that's all.