Moab , Utah

[EVIL BOTA]

Has anyone been to moab? If so could you give a little info on where you stayed ,guides and or a company that would put a trip together. I would like to go there in the late spring or late summer. Haven't had much luck with seaching on the internet.


Thanks

[AA]

I went in Sept of 2000, man was it hot! My recommendations are early spring or late fall. We stayed at a B&B in town and just bought maps at the local shops. There are several shuttle services in town that will drive you to various trailheads and away you go. Slickrock is a must and you don’t even need a map, just follow the white blazes on the rocks. I also recommend porcupine rim.

I didn’t do the whole group tour thing, I could be way off base but I envisioned riding with 20 people of varying abilities and being frustrated. I'm sure there are lesser known trails that the locals covet, but unless you are staying for weeks there will be plenty for you do.

For general info check out:
www.moab.com
http://www.moab-utah.com/
http://www.moab.net/linksystem/index.pl

One other thing to mention, the town of Moab itself isn’t exactly a wilderness experience. There is every kind of fast food and convenience store on the main drag. It was kind of a shock when we got there after spending a week at various National parks in Utah and Arizona. However the riding is worth the trip.

AA

[EVIL BOTA]

THANKS AA :)

[MMcG]

When my brother in law went out to Moab he rented his bike from Poison Spider Bicycles and he said they were awesome to deal with. http://www.poisonspiderbicycles.com/

I bet if you contacted them they could hook you up with some good information!

Just curious but has anyone looked into how much it would cost to take a mountain biking vacation in British Columbia? I'm thinking that you could make out pretty well with the great exchange rate on the US Dollar north of the border.

Also, I think someone from the CT chapter of NEMBA organized a group outing to Moab this fall. Can't remember who it was though.

[Z]

I agree with AA, Moab is not a place you need a tour. you could just show up in town and be riding that afternoon.

I second the recommendation for Slickrock and Porcupine Rim trails - those are the classics. I've also heard Flat Pass is a really fun, technical ride away from the crowds. (oops I let the secret out)

If you do decide to take a tour somewhere out west, I've heard great things about both Western Spirit (run by one of the founders of NEMBA, actually!) and Escape the City Streets.

One final recommendation: if you've got a week, spend half of it in Fruita, CO, just 2 hours away. Unlike Moab, it's not crowded, and it's mostly really fun singletrack. Fruita is another place where you can just show up and do great rides without a tour. Go to Over the Edge Sports (the only shop) in the center of town and they'll hook you up.

[Z]

Oh yeah... and if you folks are interested in an "inside scoop" on a bunch of mountain bike destinations (including BC) - am I allowed to say? - stay tuned for the next issue of Singletracks!

PS - I agree, BC does seem like a real inexpensive and convenient mtb destination.

[SloMoJo]

Hey Evil,
You know Splat and I will join you! ;)

[mtbtom]

I would recommend checking out some rides up in the La Sal mountains just outside of Moab. This is more of an alpine, high altitude experience.

A decent ride to do in the La Sals would be to arrange a shuttle, ride one of the single track loops up there (Burro Pass or something easier) then descend to Moab via Kokopellie's trail and P-rim. This would be almost a 7000 foot elevation loss if you got up to 11,000 feet. I've done something like this before and if I rode off a the cliff on the end of p-rim the undertaker would have to pry the smile off my face with a crowbar.

Ditto on Flat Pass - that's a great technical ride with some great scenery and interesting archeological sites. Tip: Start the trail near Ken's Lake and head back to town. There's some sandy spots on the route and this will ensure you hit them all on the downhill.

[I Are Baboon]

The wife and I keep talking about an MTB trip to Moab. Holding us back is the fact that we don't know the trails or the area, don't know how to schlep everything out there, and would not know what to bring. I guess all the uncertainties and inexperience with MTB trips is kind of keeping us away.

[MtnBikerChk]

The wife and I keep talking about an MTB trip to Moab. Holding us back is the fact that we don't know the trails or the area, don't know how to schlep everything out there, and would not know what to bring. I guess all the uncertainties and inexperience with MTB trips is kind of keeping us away.


and don't forget $$.

[I Are Baboon]

and don't forget $$.


::)

Since when has that kept us from doing something? ;D

[MMcG]

$$$ (or lack of it) always seems to get in the way doesn't it!?


I really would like to learn more about what lies out there in the Pacific Northwest of Canada. I suspect you could do all sorts of stuff.......singletrack, freeriding, downhill if you are good enough and want to. Plus the scenery looks amazing, the exchange rate would benefit us Yanks........and I'm sure the beer would be fine as well!

Anyone know of any good Canadian Microbrews? Or is that an American thing? :D

[EVIL BOTA]

Thanks guys. I was looking into a all inclusive type deal,but now I guess I could just get a place to stay and hit up one of the local bike shops to point me in the right direction..
B.C. is right there with moab . Yes the monopoly money exchange would be nice also, :PNever mind Canada is famous for the nudie bars..lmao

[T Grimble]

My wife and I did a trip to Utah this spring and had some similar anxieties before heading out. We flew into Salt Lake City and picked up a small motor home for the two weeks we were out there. In Moab you can stay at a number of established campgrounds including one right down town that is not at all rural but has all the amenities and is close to everything. In contrast you can camp in the sand flats (up next to slickrock and P-rim) or on BLM land. BLM is free there is a fee for camping at the sand flats. There are also lots of hotels in Moad. Don't worry about not knowing the trails. Pick up a guidebook when you get there and you will be able to figure everything out. This place is so bike friendly you will be able to pick the right trail and have a good time. As for what to take, I took my bike with me on the plane. It cost $60 each way but was worth it. You need a good box and you need to store the box while you are out there. You can ship your bike to one of the local shops and have them assemble it and it will be waiting for you when you get there. I think all the shops can do this for you. Poison Spider, Chile Pepper, Moab Cyclery is just a few of the shops off hand.

We also did a guided 4-day trip on the White Rim with Western Spirit. This was incredible. Alexis is right in that there is about 15 people of different abilities but you can pick your tour and you don't ride as one group. The faster people head out front and the slower people follow behind. I can honestly say that nobody complained and I think everybody is ready to go back. The food at Western Spirit is great also.

Have fun.

[tbm]

I used to live in Moab when I was a kid. Way before MTBiking arrived on the scene. Anyway, we used to do alot of hiking on jeep trails along Kane Creek Rd which is south of town and runs along the river. I believe you can get to KC Rd at the south end of the main drag. My sister was out there recently and said these trails are still there and only known and kept secret by the locals. But I guess I have just ruined that huh?

While in riding the trails of Moab keep an eye out for the dinasour tracks, the amount and their definition are incredible. :o But then most do not go to Moab for the history.

Ride Hard!!

B

[cgrimble]

My other half (T. Grimble) already responded about our trip to Moab last April. I thought I'd comment with my point of view.

Slickrock was a challenge for me so I stuck to the introductory loop (which I did 3 times) - I didn't want to get stuck miles from the trail head.

I have to just say I LOVE WESTERN SPIRIT!! This tour operator has their act together - their White Rim trip was the best vacation I have ever done, the riding was good for me - not too technical, the scenary spectacular and the food was amazing!!

Claire

[Paula]

Yup, Moab is great! I do know a friend of mine in the CT chapter who runs trips- 7 or 8 people - rent a house, split the cost for vans, etc. Usually in the fall or spring. He goes to Fruita too. Give him an e-mail-twcarruthers@cs.com.

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

In late June 2003 I am biking with WESTERN SPIRIT 200 miles from Telluride to Moab. It is a 6 day trek through the rocky mountains. We are pretty much up at at least 6000 feet the whole time but usually around 8000. At night we are going to set up camp and sleep in tents instead of the hut system. I can't wait(well I can wait for the fith day which is 34 miles up hill with about a 3000 foot gain in elevation). Last summer I went up to Banff national park in canada. It is pretty much on the border of Alberta and BC. There are many great biking areas very near by. We rented bike from wilson sports. They rent out rocky mountain bikes. You can rent a fanatik for $15 an hour and a pipeline for a bit more. One place it is very near by is Golden, BC which is supposed to have some of the best biking in the world.