MOAB!!!

On August 16th and 17th Fred, James, Dave and Brandon set out for the second annual Maob mountain biking trip.

Situated in the middle of some of the most spectacular red-rock national parks, Moab is reputed as THE epic Mecca for mountain biking in the USA. Some of the most famous rides are SlickRock(Video) and Porcupine Rim (Video) (thank you www.utahmountainbiking.com!).

In 2008 we rod Slick Rock so this year we decided to tackle the Porcupine Rim.

First order of business was to stop at Rim Cyclery to get the appropriate gear: a Specialized Enduro SL with 150mm suspension! A real dream as the bike was quite light (probably around 13kg) and the suspension could be locked out and adjusted from 110 to 150 mm. A perfect all around biking that drops like a rocket and climbs quite easily as well! The bike was equipped with SRAM shifters (X0), and I am really converted!! SRAMs are more like surgical tools than mountain bike equipment. The shifts are extremely quick and precise. WOW.

The Procupine trail is a fantastic mix of single and double tracks that has a constant 2% downhills grade that follows the rim of a majestic canyon. The result is a fantastic riding experience that is a mix of very technical, fast riding (I really learned to jump on this ride) and a series of breathtaking views.

At the end of the day we spent an hour playing around Slick Rock and I even attempted climbing the Baby Lion’s back, but the heat and fatigue had the best of me … it will be there next year!

It was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait for round three next year … but right now I am ready for a little fresher temperatures in the GREEN forests around Senlis!!!

Fred