Moab

Primitive camping is away from town and sometimes out of internet signal.The past bunch of days I have been up around Horsethief XG which is out of range but very much in range of great pedaling. I’m parked in front of the FS station under a tree here in town for a short note then back out to Klondike for several days.

Last early evening a squall passed thru, what a spectacle

Just miles of purpose hand built trails. Mix up ride locations for variety although most have miles of exposed bedrock.

More to follow. Off to N end of Klondike trails.

Here at N end of Klondike. got preferred spot, just 3 distant campers compared to plugged Willow Springs. Have 4g 2 bars. I will post this edit to learn of performance. Passed, fast enough.

Thursday I rode the Bar M trails. Great system. easier trails close to the big graveled parking lot with a pit toilet and nasty stuff further away. Deadmans ridge is challenging, I still walk 1 sharp downhill right turn. I did make 2 others for the first time. My skills and learning continue. I listened to Bike James speak about his pedals and pedaling, he is an advocate of standing as it puts the body in a powerful position. I found that with my seat fully up that it was difficult to stand up. I lowered the seat just a skosh such that i could pedal with a bit more than knee friendly stroke which allows me to stand so much easier which translates to pedal up and over stuff because there is power on the pedal which gives balance. Enjoying the big pedals.

Drove into town for a shower and groceries. Then drove up to Horsethief XG which was full as expected. I continued out the road .6 miles to score a road side spot, took a bit of leveling van with leveling blocks.

Friday’s ride was from camp to pick up Chisholm at the XG, this piece was opened last year after I left. It connects to the Navajo Rocks system at Big Lonely. I turned right to Coney Island down to Middle earth and picking up Big Mesa back to the intersection. 23 miles. Coney Island has pieces of old double track turned to loose sand and gently descends.

I walked further out the all weather road about an 1/8 of a mile and turned left, South, on a recognized driving route. I walked a ways, .4 mile to find this great location camp spot to which I moved.

Sat I set out my chair that I cable locked to a juniper bush then stretched the string of traffic cones after I pulled out of the spot. I  hoped for honor from fellow campers to respect that the spot was occupied. I drove out to the highway then up to where Chisholm crosses the highway for the Horsethief trails. Rode Bull canyon again this time better than the last. Something about standing up and momentum. trails here seem to climb 100′ per mile.

Drove back to camp spot that still had the cones stretched across. relief.

Sunday I drove down to Middle Earth to ride the Navajo Rocks loop as a figure 8 so I could ride down Coney Island. I went down on Ramblin, crossed the highway to ride Rocky Tops. I reached Middle Earth trail to connect back to the TH to go down Coney. I changed my mind and rode the sand of Coney, crossed the highway then returned on Big Lonely to Big Mesa. I suppose any way you ride this system it rides well except ride down Ramblin.

One night out at campspot I walked the road out thinking that it tied into another trail returning just down the road from my turn in. Road took awhile before it hooked left to a possible junction. Then I saw a bike path crossing the road. I ended up hiking about 4 miles of newly completed Rodeo trail. tread is just sand as it hasn’t had wet and sun baking firm tread.

Today was a rest day after 4 straight days of riding. I drove back down to town.

My handlebar was 30.5″ wide. I researched new bars including Turner’s bike build site. I decided to have .5″ cut from each end at Chili Pepper which they did. I put on new grips. Tomorrow will be first ride.

While at Chili I saw a familiar face walking into the store, Cashion from Bike Farm in Brevard. Warm visit.

At another bike shop I bought brake pads. As I walked out I saw this guy tug on a T shirt that read OZ Trails. I know those, that’s Arkansas. He lives in the state. I told him about rides that he has never done. In your own state such good stuff then he learns about them here in Moab, UT.

So, have stuff to last for 2 days of riding out here. More EKG.

On Sunday’s Navajo Rocks ride I watched riders. Pay attention to how they relate to their brake levers. The biggest braking tip is to use only your index finger to hook the end of the lever, keep the other fingers on the grips. And always cover the brake levers with fingers at the ready. Such a beneficial method for control.