Mountain Biking - Red rock, blah blah blah, desert, blah blah blah.

Flying in, getting a rental behemoth, arranging a rental condo, and shipping a bike. Far more hassle than what had once been a six hour drive after throwing a load of crap into the car. A long delay at JFK due to logistical reasons, then an emergency landing in St. Louis added to the anxiousness to get groundside and begin riding.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0009.jpg

Unfortunately that didn't happen until the day after our arrival, late in the day. After picking up the bike, assembling the bike, ensuring said bike wouldn't explode while pedaling - it was time to go.
A simple spin up Sand Flats Rd. to go tool around the Slickrock trail would have to suffice. I like this trail. I don't get bored of it. I can ride it every time I'm in town. So many different lines and ways to do things. Sure, it can be filled with helmetless, out of water, flat prone gumbies and families, but hey -we all started somewhere, right? After our happy fun time travel adventures getting to this point, this was welcomed heartily.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0007a.jpg

The looks on peoples faces when the round the corner (from either direction) to Shrimp Rock and find some dude lounging about and drinking a beer are entertaining.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0011b.jpg


The elevation change from sea level wasn't too noticeable at this point. Granted, working the pig bike up the hills had me going slowly enough already that I may just have not noticed the difference.
Some things are harder work than others, which makes them no less enjoyable, really.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0006.jpg

The next two days, I hooked up with a couple friends to ride, while Mrs. Scrub ran off to go run. Good times, good times.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0014a1-1.jpg

The desert is full of life, if you know where to look. Alvin!!!!!
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0015a.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0040a.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0030b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0035a.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0033a2.jpg

Saturday was sorta' a late start. A slight shuttle timing mishap left us with a later start than we'd anticipated, and not leaving a car at the bottom of Porc Rim. Not a bad thing. The pedal into town isn't horrible, but not knowing how you'll feel at the end of that ride... Anyway, with a late start, and conflicting tales of how wet/dry Burro was or wasn't meant we just started at Hazard.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0050a.jpg
This...this time, the elevation difference was telling. The initial climb out of the Hazard drop point wasn't really painful, just slow and wheezy.

Fast and fun. Things were a bit dry and dusty - a few more corners bermed as this one would have been a nice treat.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0054a.jpg

Body bag. I had an idealistic goal of nailing this feature this trip out. I've only gotten tot he top of the little slab at the apex of the corner in attempts past. This trip? It didn't happen. Super dry and with a liberal coating of dust and sand atop the whole slot down made me competely wuss out. Oops. Did see
a few attempts though, and one dude made it looks super slick and easy.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0088.jpg

Trust me folks, if you've not seen it in person, pictures do not do it any justice.

Sorry, no diving board shots. That section was packed with people. Had to wait a bit for things to clear out a bit, and we were wanting to get past some folks who were loitering around, looking for carnage and the gumption to hit the biggest four footer to flat in the world. It's really not that bad a spot, it just seemingly gets hammered with wind every time I'm there.
A few other Porc Rim standards:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0126.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0139.jpg


A pause for some macro action:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0012b.jpg

More riding with friends, a half marathon for the spousal unit, a breather day in Palisade and Grand Junction to come!

Helmet in repose.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0027b.jpg

Tim rolling. STIL, and not a smooth roll by any stretch.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0005a2.jpg

Joel after being gaffled doing the same roller.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0020b2.jpg

Mans best friend.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0023a2.jpg

Fisher Mesa rocks. Very UPS/LPS quality, though with gobs of loose rock on trail. I assume mainly since it sees far, far less traffic than many other trails. It just hasn't been tire buffed as yet. Great views.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6510a.jpg

The spousal unit ran
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6471.jpg
while I rode.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6489.jpg

The only bike trouble of the trip, save for one flat - I broke my bell.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6536.jpg

Vacation is nice.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6532.jpg

Sweet shots and fun presentation as always!

Nice Scrub! From the outside, looking in, your rides seem so fantastic.

Kansas sucks:mad:

<-- need to get back out there! Thanks for sharing the pics!

A few more.

Cat hair never sleeps.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6520.jpg

More Fisher Mesa bits.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6515.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_6504.jpg

Cisco, UT.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0001b3.jpg

Yeah, it's as exciting to Mrs. Scrub as it appears.http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0007a2.jpg

Because one can never have too many Randall pictures.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0026b2.jpg

A Flowy trail shot.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0013a.jpg

Body Bag the lesser.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0063a.jpg

Athalliah rolling in just above Body Bag.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0072.jpg

A rider working the upper section of Body Bag.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0082.jpg

A spiring.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0036b.jpg

Arches.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0020b.jpg

Artsy fartsy attempt since it was a decapitation shot.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0039a.jpg

The much better photographer than I in his natural habitat, awaiting prey.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0043a.jpg

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice. How long was the stay?

looks like an awesome trip! great pics and thanks for sharing.

Very nice. How long was the stay?

in 14th, out 22nd. both those days were long and late enough with travel, picking up, packing and reshipping the bike home that they were not riding days. rode six days, hoofed around palisade and grand junction, and oh yeah! got married the one other non-riding day.

Woohoo! Congrats.

and oh yeah! got married the one other non-riding day.

Congratulations!

Woohoo! Congrats.


Congratulations!

Thanks. We were considered common-law in CO, but CT doesn't recognize such. Easy, cheap, fun and nice to do it as part of our vacation/anniversary trip. Mesa county orifices marriage = $10. :) We then celebrated with Randall's owner at the brewery in Palisade.

Yeah, congrats!!

Heck yeah, congrats to you and the little lady! :beer:

. . . and the little lady!Do people who have all of their body parts intact still say that?

Congrats, scrub♂ & scrub♀!

great picture show

mx

Congrats scrub! Nice pics too. I have to ask though, how did you break a bell..?

Quick question, what kind of camera do you use, and how do you carry it. My dad tried to carry his SLR once, and didnt have much fun. He couldnt ride very hard for fear of falling and breaking it.

Congrats...can I come with you next time you get married?

Bell breakage: snagged by a branch that ripped the top bits right off. My one flat was a front puncture. Never did find what did it - I'm assuming a thorn.

Camera: Cannon A590 and Cannon S2IS. Carried on my left chest strap. I use a ross strap that acts as a sternum strap and lateral bracing at the same time. Any bigger camera than those, and I'd either want it inside the pack body, or in a more center carried sternum pack.

Thanks, all. I don't feel any more married/different, it's just that now we're "legal" and all.

Congrats and thanks for the pics. I miss Moab and Utah this year. Absolutely stunning scenery.

Congrats!!

Nice photos anyway, thanks for sharing!!

:thumb:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/Moab%20Oct%2008/IMG_0040a.jpg

Nice.

I saw this pic and thought to myself "Self, I have a hunch that Tim is involved in this somehow."

I also chuckled when I saw Randall frolicking in the crypto. Like owner, like dog (I've given Joel shiet in the past for crust busting lines up off the Ribbon)

Nice.

I saw this pic and thought to myself "Self, I have a hunch that Tim is involved in this somehow."

I also chuckled when I saw Randall frolicking in the crypto. Like owner, like dog (I've given Joel shiet in the past for crust busting lines up off the Ribbon)

Yep, he happened to be off the same week we were there. Happy coincidence. Not sure when you where there last, but he has some fabulous new(er) stuff.

Randall dived right on in and dug himself down a bit. Then settled in for some nap time. I was somewhat envious at that point in the ride.

Very beautiful photographs, thanks for sharing. :)

Congrats Scrub, and grat pics.

You have no idea how jealous I am of you right now, lol.

Great pics and a nice bit of inspiration.