From Salt Lake City we drove 270 mile to Moab. We arrived in Moab the day before yesterday and went looking for a place to stay. Accommodation was quite a bit more than the last time we were there. Malan and I paid $64 per room per night (excl tax) at the Red Rock Inn ... not the best accommodation we ever had.
Then we hit the road to go and find us bikes to rent. The best value was found at Poison Spider Cycles. I rented a Rocky Mountain and Malan a BMC. Both bikes were in OK condition and cost $40 per bike per day. Chile Cycles had Giants ($40 per day), Moab Cyclery had Cannondales ($65 per day) ... we only visited Rim Cyclery after we rented our bikes from Poison Spider. Rim Cyclery had Specialized (from $45 per day ...I would have preferred a Specialized, but alas).
On the afternoon we arrived I took Malan to go and ride Sovereign. We left the trailhead at 17h30 and it was MOER HOT. Sovereign is the best trail to ride first when you go to Moab. It has everything in it. Bits of Slickrock, lots of steep climbs up ledges and some hair-raising drops. This ride took us 2h30 and we were totally dehydrated by the time we got back to the car. Its not everyday that I finish 2litre of fluid in one ride. This evening we went to eat at the local brewery and had way to much beer!
The next morning at 6h30 we met the shuttle at Poison Spider to take us to Porcupine Rim. We went higher up than what I have been the last time I was in Moab. We started at LPS (lower porcupine singletrack). The shuttle cost $15 per person and worth every cent ... there is no way that I will cycle up that hill to get to the trailhead! Porcupine is mostly downhill, with a couple of steep climbs here and there. This most be one of the best trails in the world! The first 45 min was on awesome singletrack. This is not the kind of singletrack we have in SA. It's over rock ledges with 100's and 100's of drops. Then we hit the original Porcupine trail. The trail is more open now, but with lots and lots of rock drops and loose stones. The last part of the trail is singletrack again, with even more drops and ledges. Once you have done Porcupine your skills have increased hugely. And those of you who know my brother and I ... I can promise you we pushed each other way over our limits and the ability of the bikes we rode down this trail. IT WAS AWESOME. This trail took us just short of 3 hours. Luckily we were back in town by 10h00 because if got hot, very freeking hot ... like in 40 degree hot! The rest of the day we dossed and strolled through town.
Thursday morning we set off at 6h00 to go and ride Slickrock. Last time I rode Slickrock it was hard, but I have forgotten just how hard. This trail took us just over 2 hours. Slickrock consists out of endless ups and downs over huge rocks following a white line. The rock is very tacky, so if you can get your nose on to the front wheel and still turn the pedals you will get up most of the hills, but man its tough. O, I forgot it was MOER hot again ... thank goodness we were off the rock by 9h00. Slickrock is probably one of the most famous trails in the world. I have done it twice now ... and that's enough. It is much harder than what it is fun.
After Slickrock we gave our bikes back (two very hard ridden bikes) and set off to Fruita from where I am writing this blog. But more about Fruita tomorrow.
This was Sovereign:
Check the next blog for more photos of Porcupine and Slickrock
Johann
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