Trail conditions were finally favorable during my stay here in SW Utah to ride Cedar City trails as they were snow free at 6,xxx’, just chilly and clear. I drove up mountain from here in Hurricane Valley at under 3,xxx’ climbing I-15. Value to be gained by visiting with a local shop, exchanging trail info and me sharing stories in return. Picked Red Rock which is also located in ST George. Guy I spoke with remembered me from the other location. I learned from him and I gave them whatever they took away. Along the line I had heard about these trails and the excitement being created. Charlie and Theresa rode there several days prior. I learned that there is camping at the southern terminus of the system where I could ride from my van. Just right for me so I drove out. For once the gravel road out was not a bone shaker. Brand new BLM XG and trailhead facility. $5 camp fee with no senior discount. Found a spot I could level van out with blocks. Tree cover is mix of juniper and pinyon pine, mostly juniper. Several trails had the name Lava in them. I learned right away that basalt was the rock substrate.
I started on Turnpike trail which is the green connector from 1 end to the other, to Lichen It the climbing trail.
See the basalt. At the north end I picked up Lichen It for the climb, it’s considered a greener which it was, the tread was made pretty smooth and the grade was favorable. I stopped at an intersection to navigate and another rider arrived, the only one I saw the entire ride. Guy starts talking to me like he knows of me. Apparently during previous encounters he never introduced himself. Goes on that many of us riders are connected by common friends and or experiences. Gattis, is a NC boy, knows Brevard crowd which I share. Knows Tyson of Capt Ahab fame, Gattis said Tyson had a hand in construction of these trails. Lichen It name is from lichen growing on the rocks
I climbed a bit more to Lava Link intersection
A bit of a filter was built to give a taste of upcoming tread. Trail had mix of smooth with many either rock gardens or rock armored pieces. To me a garden is where the rocks are embedded and the trail uses them as tread or feature, armored is where rocks have been placed to overcome maybe a garden. Both conditions require nerves to ride over. Be light on the bike, heavy on the pedals, steer direction, and balance. I gained confidence in the bike and my ability to remain on top.
Trail system is known as Iron Mountain,.
Riding a trail for the first time is like extemporaneous speaking: wing it. Seeing features for the first time, riding in anticipation and heads up. Blind roll down: what’s the roll out like? I ride blue level trails that are easier than the blacks so there are less challenging decisions to be made and the greater likelihood of remaining unscathed. To the unwary blood can flow.
Much of the trails were built with mini exs,
Lava Link is the upper traverse where numerous black trails take off from. I kept to the blue. Descent down to Turnpike was on Black Ops, I thought military, and maybe it was connected, but to me the black name came from the color of the basalt. My ride was 11.1 miles climbing 974′, pedaled for 1 hr 36 mins.
Sunny day warm enough at finish of ride to sit outside at a picnic table soaking solar gain. tranquility was destroyed when the van camper next site over ran his generator. Brand new factory built out van. Guy told me he needed to charged his batteries that needed to be replaced. Brand new, he could have run his generator when he was out for his ride. Suspect it was for his on board shower he took after his ride. I retreated to my van.
I spent the night. Morning temp was well below freezing. I fed myself then cleaned up the mess, all the while waiting for sun warmth as I planned on repeating yesterday’s ride to find out what I learned. On Turnpike I encountered the crowd for the day of 6 riders. At the start of Lichen It a funky ebike blew by me. I rode with more confidence. Ride data was 2 minutes faster, not that I was competing but reflective of my effort being consistent. This time my heart rate was way more less effort.
I drove back to bike shop to report and take on water. Same young woman from yesterday working. Struck up a conversation. She helped build these trails in connection with IMBA. She wanted to know how I am able to ride alone as she is struggling with riding by herself. How do I do it? As a kid I never had playmates or friends so everything I did was by myself. I set out to hike the PCT by myself. In CA I hiked with several others until I dropped off. I started back up at Ashland, OR hiking by myself for several days. I experienced several freaky days learning to be by myself alone. Lessons learned prepared me for all these years of adventuring by myself including back country skiing and long backpack trips. I do what I do, she will decide if she will do the same.
The Freehubmag film about me has been viewed some 57,000 times. What I am doing is Mountain Biking the States living in my converted van riding all these trails that have been built by others. I am riding on the backs so to speak of others before me. I’m reaping notoriety as a result of their efforts. Now I have contributed in small ways on volunteer trail days along the way. Mountain bikers need a trail of some kind be it official and machine built to ridden in social tread. Locals build that trail to meet their wants for more trails to ride. Articles have been written about a local sparkplug who built a local trail, however, there are many others who helped bring that person’s idea to actual trail. Fame falls on the sparkplug. I used to belong to GOATS in Oakridge where I contributed enough hours of volunteer work to earn a blue hard hat. My recognition that I cherish.
Today is Sunday, the day after the Zags got another comeuppance and a self declared rest day. My damaged shoulder has been protesting the upper body workouts. Rain is forecast later this week, which is desperately needed, with temps warm enough to prevent freeze thaw. Sitting here inside sun warmed van at Quail Creek primitive BLM XG within earshot of busy highway 9. Road, as it is, is dirt that will turn to slippery mud with enough rain. Don’t bid the devil good day until I meet him.
So, much of the land I ride on is BLM managed land. Per BLM’s official web site E bikes are allowed on heart propelled trails when there is a signed document created by the local office. I called the local office here in ST George to ask for that document. I was told none exists. Ebikes are ridden on heart propelled trails illegally. How can the organization permit non compliance with the federal position? Selective compliance and no one held to account. It ain’t right.
