The "MECCA"

Well is is true about what they say about Moab? Its different riding on rocks but I wouldn't give up my sweet home town single track for nuthin''. Sunday started out with an intermediate ride. The Gemini Bridges trail was on the agenda. We got a late start and it was a little warm when we started but we headed out anyway. The heat is a "dry" heat unlike that of our home in east Tn. No humidity hardly at all but when the wind is blowing it feels like a hair dryer blowing on ya. We rode out 8 miles to the Gemini Bridges which are to twin arches spanning about 50 ft over a gorge thats about 150 ft. to the bottom. There was some climbing and the trail consisted of mostly 4x4 trails that you share with the 4x4's and atv\motorcycles. We seen several of those on our trip. The sand is deep in spots, I'm talking marred down to where you can't pedal or move. Definately a push part. Thats where the heat gets to you. It was a hot 97 Sunday on this ride and you could feel it . We were out there riding for about 4hrs and sight seeing. It took its toll. Its funny after you pedal away from the sight of civilization it looks like a John Wayne western movie everywhere you turn...lol.



Today came the world famous "Slick Rock". Easy to find all the signs in town direct you to it. Nice trailhead also. Just a word of advice always park near the road side of the parking lot! The dumpster side of the lot stinks to high heaven! There are warning signs everywhere telling you how strenuos and hard this ride is and take lots of water. We were there very early(7am) and it was already getting warm. We took off, the rocks are really kinda fun. You can see where the millions of miles of rubber from bike tires tattoo the rock with the black rubber. Its also marked with white stripes like on a highway to help you manuvere your way around too. Its up and down, up and down, up and down. I'm not kidding! The short incredibly steep climbs test the most seasoned rider. You can hear the sandstone slickrock gripping your tires like pulling duct-tape from a plate-glass window. Superior traction is an understatement. We rode around for a couple of hours and headed back in. Got to see a couple of 4x4's traversing the rocks too. If you crash its going to hurt! There was a couple more of those sand traps out there too, I hate those things! Push push push. Its still yet to rain out here and its plenty hot but if you have never been here I would highly reccomend the trip its FUN. The town makes the trip too, very friendly. I will post some pics later I just wanted to write some while its fresh on my mind.



Later G.............................