fifthcircle

So I am going on a wheeling trip in April, and I will probably take my bike with me. I have been once before, and rode Porcupine Rim, Bartlett Wash, Klondike Bluffs, and part of Slickrock. I am not sure if anyone else on the trip will be biking with me yet, so assume I will be alone If this is the case, I may just ride the more difficult trails (for the jeeps) and wheel my truck on the easier ones.

I am curious what your thoughts are on this whole situation, and what your favorite trail is in the great MOAB.

-Kurt

Tyrell

I'm taking my first trip to Moab at the end of this month for a week 3/24-328. Bug me when I get back I'll let ya know what I liked.

Shmef

I went last year, and am going this year. Gold Bar Rim connecting to Portal is stellar, as is Porcupine Rim. Sliprock is fun, as well as Gemini Bridges. My favourite though is Gold Bar, then maybe Flat Pass. Its a great place, Moab. We stayed at this guy's bed and breakfast, His names Mark, and is an amazing cook.

brockelju

I don't know but I wish to know. I want to hit slickrock once i finally get my license here soon.

bearacuda

It's a tie between a few different routes, none of which are on any trail maps. Sorry.

fifthcircle

Personally, I think the slickrock trail is overrated......





Can you explain? I don't really want to get lost in the desert, but one of the guys going with his Jeep may bring his bike too. He has raced the 24hrs of Moab a few times in the past, so I am assuming he knows where he's going

brockelju

wow. Why?

bearacuda

My favorite trail in Moab is actually a tie between a number of routes that don't appear on any maps. I couldn't follow them again without a local guide. That's how good they are.

Bad assumption.

scrublover

Yes. We won't be getting back there until the fall, but it'll be a nice nine dayer this time. Sucky having to fly or do one loooong drive now, as opposed to the little six hour drive I had before.

To the OP, of the "known" routes my favorites are:

Gold Bar singletrack-->Portal Trail, Amasa Back-->several add on options to make a nice loop with a popsicle sticking off one end.

fifthcircle

Thanks. I have a book with detailed trail descriptions

Do you know him? LOL


As for why I think that the Slickrock trail is overrated.... I guess it was built up too much for me, and after riding it a little I knew there were better trails. I didn't enjoy the "flow" of it, or should I say "lack of flow". I am sure that if I was more accustomed to that type of riding (short but steep ups and downs) I might enjoy it more. I like the long fast and flowing stuff. Maybe I will give it a second look this time.

bearacuda

No, but if you tell him to take you to Bluebonnet, for example, he will not know where he is going.

Terrapin Ben

jackson's trail off of amasa back is nastiness. i'm going to be there next weekend for spring break! SPRINGBREAK!!! WOOO WHOOO!!!!!

Pugsly

Any recommendations for early March trail running with a hardtail? I know that FS is recommended but what I got is what I got...

ed 

If you think about it dood...on my hardtail, I have 6" of travel up front and 17" of travel in the back if you count splitting my 34" inseam in 1/2.

Hardtails are just fine for rough terrain. Dually's are much more fun (IMO), but not a necessary tool to shred some trail.

Tyrell

My hard tail K2 Zed 4.0 performed ok at Moab on my trip last year. A full-suspension would have been nicer considering it's ALL ROCK but oh well. For the record, my favorite trail was Porcupine Rim. Definitely take the shuttle up from Poison Spider bike shop.

Pugsly

I'm looking forward to it - but am a bit intimidated. All I have to deal with now is pine needles and tree roots (central NC), and of course those darn trees jumping out in front of me every now and then...

scrublover

stick a dh tire on the back of your rig. run some nice fatty tires. if worried, bring and wear some armor. it's cheap insurance/courage.

and enjoy the trip.

Pugsly

what tire do you recommend? I've got a Specialized Captain S-works back there right now...