SHIFTING GEARS // DESERT SEASON

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Best case if you leave Summit County at 4pm you are getting to Moab by dark so stopping by Fruita for the horsetheif trails is a good way to split up the drive.  

 I get it these trails are found out, it doesn’t mean that riding Fruita isn't fun and as a first ride to check your gear and make adjustments there is no better place for setting up suspension, adjusting a new bike, or quite honestly just getting your shit together.  You get a mixed bag in Fruita from the technical entrance to smooth and flowy trails,  but most importantly its just a fun ride.  Check out the rough cut footage from the go pro below.

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 We were lucky enough to have Ben Ferrante from Rocky Mountain wheel works join us. Ben who specializes in high end bike and setup and repair is nice to have on a ride.   If you find your self riding with mechanics the thing is that if they are riding they want to actually ride and not fix everyone's bike so Ben gave us the following get your shit together tips. 

• Tubeless - Time to refresh! Most sealants will dry up over our winters, its a good idea to crack the bead and add some sealant. 
• Brake pads - Take a look at both the front and rear pads - be sure they have enough life on them. Are your brake spongy - when was your last bleed?
• Chain - Is your drivetrain clean? How's you chain measure, might be time for a replacement to keep that expensive cassette in good shape. 
• Shifting - Is your shifting smooth or making lots of noise? A small tweak of cable adjustment might be needed to tune it in or maybe its time for new cables & housing if things are feeling sticky.
• Suspension - I recommend having your suspension serviced at least ONCE a year - remember your dropper should be part of that too.

  

After riding horse thief a stop by the Hot Tomato is the only way to guarantee safe passage to Moab.  What the owners have done for the town and biking in the community is important for me to support.   It also saves a night of cooking and thus dishes. You can pretty much find any New Belgium beer on tap, a variety of healthy pizza ( yes it does exist) and the best Stromboli in Colorado. 

  

 Moab

Rolling in late to Moab In April..... yikes.   As we were riding porcupine rim and shuttling above the sand flats taking a long approach to a remote campsite at 10p.m. was out.  Our approach is camping the first night at the Klondike bluff trails. First of all Its free,  the views of the La Sal’s are incredible, and if you need to check in with work like we did for Friday am the full service can really make it seem like your in the office still.   

 

 

Day 2 Porcupine rim

We took our time getting started the next morning and this is a bit intentional. Most people who ride UPS or LPS will grab a local shuttle for 25 bucks but we were lucky enough to meet some friends and shuttle cars.   Timing can be everything as most of the commercial shuttles run tell 2p.m.   If you have the option running of running it after 2p.m. you can find a more exclusive experience. One other tip is to not forget your park pass for the shuttle vehicle!

 Tough to say if there is any better ride then porcupine rim as it over looks one of the coolest landscapes in Moab.  Right off the start is the a couple technical corners that are good for bucking up and quite literally getting back on the horse that bit you.

It seems people are split on what part of the ride the like the most with the amazing views at the start to the faster paced trail at the bottom.  The lower half of the ride is world class and my personal favorite.  I dropped in a couple videos of each for you to decide.

 

 

 

Free water and Showers

At this point after riding for two hours in 93 degree heat dirt bag status was in full effect. Poison spider the bike shop off main offers $5 showers and free water for anyone camping.  After two rides and two days it was much needed.  Pretty much a mandatory stop! 

 

Day 3  Jacksons AKA Death on the Left.

For us these three trials are cult classics.  There is just so much to ride in Moab and I have found half of the experience can be going with somebody who knows how to link all the days together.   Sharing the beta of where to camp how to ride and when to ride can be huge in making or breaking the experience and sometimes the sport for people.   

 Thanks for following our quick trip If you interested in what Im using for gear I have included them below.  I want to give a huge thanks again to Alex and @summit_aerial_media for all the shots of the trip.