This is at the top of the trail/world:
Malan navigating some ledges:
Flat-out and in the air:
Then some more 
Check the next blog for Slickrock
Johann
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Moab - Porcupine 2008
We met this dude at the trailhead with a Titanium hardtail and V-Brakes ... I thought this guys is not going to make it. Well he flew down the trail ... impressive stuff.
Moab 2008
Hi all. We have been out of contact while we were in Moab. The place we stayed did not have wireless.
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:
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
Monday, July 16, 2007
Specialized 2008 Launch
Today Malan and I rode Deer Park for most of the morning. Ski lifts to the top and the very technical down. We used Stumpjumpers the whole day. First trying the new S-Works ... this bike is very, very fast and then the Stumpy Pro Alu. At the end of the day the Alu was more suitable for all the downhilling we were doing ... quite a bit more stable than the very light S-Works.
Tania, is this your next bike?
Deer Park has many man-made "Whistler-type" obstacles and Malan and I tried them all.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Specialized 2008 Launch
Today we saw all the general All-terain bikes and components/accessories. And there are lots, and lots.
If you have money to burn you can have the ultimate Fat Boy cruizer for about R20 000! This bike's rear tyre looks like a Hardley tyre!
On the accessories side, Specialized is doing a huge amount for lady cycling. This is the pro MTB lady shoe. It is super light and very stiff.
Tomorrow we are going for a full-on demo day ... jip we are going back to Deer Mountain for extreme MTB.
On this point, the Specialized Enduro Comp is going to retail for around R26 000! If you want a Maverick ML8 but don't want to spend R34 000 +, this is your solution. Awesome value for money.
The Stumpjumper Comp that's coming to SA is a awesome red and white bike and will retail for just over R20 000. The Epic Comp will have the full Specialized Rear suspension (like this year's S-Works) and will sell for around R21 000.
See you tomorrow again after Deer Valley
Cheers
Johann
Yesterday Specialized presented their 2008 roadbikes to us. I thought that this is going to be a painfull day for a mountainbiker ..... but then we saw the bikes. They are awesome!! And we sat through the presentation where they told us what goes into designing and manufacturing the best roadbikes in the world and I got new respect for these bikes. Specialized's 2008 roadbikes are un-bloody-believable and will be on the floor of a Maverick Cycles close to you soon.
Jip, they are so awesome that even I will consider becoming more of a roadie again.
My favourite 2008 Specialized - The S-Works Roubaix. This is one sweeeettttt machine.
For the Tri-atheletes ..... you will be hardpressed to find anything better than this anywhere in the world!
Then for the racing roadies; The Tarmac S-Works. This is not even the best version. The top of the range is the Tarmac S-Works SL2 and is the bike Tom Boonen rides.
Jip, they are so awesome that even I will consider becoming more of a roadie again.
My favourite 2008 Specialized - The S-Works Roubaix. This is one sweeeettttt machine.
For the Tri-atheletes ..... you will be hardpressed to find anything better than this anywhere in the world!
Then for the racing roadies; The Tarmac S-Works. This is not even the best version. The top of the range is the Tarmac S-Works SL2 and is the bike Tom Boonen rides.
Today there is no riding .... just a huge amount of stuff to rake in.
Monday we are going back to the mountain again .... hee, haa
Johann
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Specialized 2008 Launch
Yesterday we rode Deer Valley in Salt Lake City. Its very hot ... about 38 degrees! Deer Valley is a ski resort just outside Salt Lake where they had the 2002 winter olympics ... so jip, we used skilifts (who wants to ride uphill?) Here is some more shots of what we were up to.
Then we became brave abd tried to ride downhill with the Cross Country king ... Fritz Pienaar. This man flies and has no fear. Check this drop ... and he did it on a Specialized Enduro.
Today we have to go and ride roadbikes. Very nice looking roadbikes, but still roadbikes and its going to be moer hot ....
Time for breakfast. Chat to you all later again.
Johann
Friday, July 13, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)