Goin to Moab.

j williams

j williams

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
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:cool: Finally get to go to Moab this summer to mtn bike. :cool:

Ive wanted to go there since I was 9 so im pretty excited. Were goin in July(me and a bike buddy). I know its gonna be hot. Very hot. So water is a no brainer.

Any Desert advice or tricks from any of you guys who spend alot of time in the desert? I never spent too much time in one. Just a few years as a kid in SoCal....
 
That will be an awesome trip man. When I was heavy into mtn biking I wanted to go there too, but never got to. Water galore, and stuff like gatorade will be your best friend for sure! Bring twice what you think you will need.
 
right on jake... i'm totally jealous man...:o that should be a fun trip... i went there many years ago and did some climbing and mtn. biking... the place is amazing..:thumbup:

you should try and hook up with Walter Davis.. i believe he lives out that way..
 
be sure to talk to some of the locals, go to one of the bike shops in town and get maps! the desert can be very unforgiving if you wander off trail for even a little while. there are jeep trials running everywhere! so sometimes even the most famous and well marked trails are hard to stay on. let someone, ie ranger, folks where you are staying or whomever ya can, know where you are going and when to expect ya back. there are LOTS of horror stories(and way too many deaths) of mtn bikers and hikers lost there. not saying that would or could happen to you. just take the precautions necessary to be safe. do NOT climb down any slickrock. from up top ya may not see it, but its not uncommon for folks unfamiliar with the terrain to climb down thinking they can get to the road they see below and get stuck where they can no longer go down nor get back up. last time i was there it was may. an optimal time really, but still desert. lots of water, electrolites(you will sweat like the dickens and not even know it). emergen-c is easy to carry and full of all the electrolites yr body needs to take the fluids into your cells. carry at least one bottle to use for that. if you've used it you know how sticky it is, and ya dont want in it in yr camelbak-major growth of tiny fuzzy critters fast! recommend ya have a camelbak like system with 2 100 oz bladders. seems like a lot of weight to carry(over 6 lbs each when full) but there is absolutely no place to get water once ya hit the trails. i usually carry peanut butter. not the "organic" kind i use at home. its just peanuts n salt. i want the cheap highly sugared stuff out like that. sugar for fast energy, and all the otherwise crappy oil and of course the peanuts n salt. salt makes ya thirsty(thats why theres so much in gatorade-but gatorade doesnt have magnesium nor potasium, both critical for osmosis). i have a friend who sets his watch alarm to go off every 15 minutes to remind him to drink. they recommmend at least one gal per person per day but im not sure thats enuf for someone raging on the trails on their mtn bike. most importantly is to pack yr cells full of water for the two or three weeks before you go. dont drink lots of coffee nor alcohol while there nor the two weeks before.
and by the way HAVE FUN!!!!
 
I was there last August. The place is stunning. Theres some good white water rafting there also.
 
July! Man, I went out there a few years ago for some mtn biking in late September and damn near died of heat stroke, and I was in some really good shape.

Take a lot of water, and when you think you have enough, double it. Think about riding Moab early AM and maybe heading up into the La Sals for some riding during the hottest part of the day.

And have fun!
 
Mapper- Thats the plan....Desert rides over by 9am. Start out at dawn. Then off to La Sals for afternoon rides.

Thanks for the advice guys...I am excited to get out there. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
mtnfolk mike said:
right on jake... i'm totally jealous man...:o that should be a fun trip... i went there many years ago and did some climbing and mtn. biking... the place is amazing..:thumbup:

you should try and hook up with Walter Davis.. i believe he lives out that way..
Click to expand...

Ya know mike....You could join us brother.....;):thumbup: Get Nick and make a road trip. ;)
 
sadiejane said:
be sure to talk to some of the locals, go to one of the bike shops in town and get maps! the desert can be very unforgiving if you wander off trail for even a little while. there are jeep trials running everywhere! so sometimes even the most famous and well marked trails are hard to stay on. let someone, ie ranger, folks where you are staying or whomever ya can, know where you are going and when to expect ya back. there are LOTS of horror stories(and way too many deaths) of mtn bikers and hikers lost there. not saying that would or could happen to you. just take the precautions necessary to be safe. do NOT climb down any slickrock. from up top ya may not see it, but its not uncommon for folks unfamiliar with the terrain to climb down thinking they can get to the road they see below and get stuck where they can no longer go down nor get back up. last time i was there it was may. an optimal time really, but still desert. lots of water, electrolites(you will sweat like the dickens and not even know it). emergen-c is easy to carry and full of all the electrolites yr body needs to take the fluids into your cells. carry at least one bottle to use for that. if you've used it you know how sticky it is, and ya dont want in it in yr camelbak-major growth of tiny fuzzy critters fast! recommend ya have a camelbak like system with 2 100 oz bladders. seems like a lot of weight to carry(over 6 lbs each when full) but there is absolutely no place to get water once ya hit the trails. i usually carry peanut butter. not the "organic" kind i use at home. its just peanuts n salt. i want the cheap highly sugared stuff out like that. sugar for fast energy, and all the otherwise crappy oil and of course the peanuts n salt. salt makes ya thirsty(thats why theres so much in gatorade-but gatorade doesnt have magnesium nor potasium, both critical for osmosis). i have a friend who sets his watch alarm to go off every 15 minutes to remind him to drink. they recommmend at least one gal per person per day but im not sure thats enuf for someone raging on the trails on their mtn bike. most importantly is to pack yr cells full of water for the two or three weeks before you go. dont drink lots of coffee nor alcohol while there nor the two weeks before.
and by the way HAVE FUN!!!!
Click to expand...

Awesome post SJ.....Great info. Thanks!

I have a 100oz Camelback and 2 bottles (mixin electrolyte drinks in em)..I wonder if my MULE will hold another bladder....Gonna check that out. :thumbup:

You think packin a spare tube and 2 patch kits is enough for that terrain?
 
Hey, found a pic to whet your appetite.

Moab1.jpg


This is after the aforementioned heat stroke! Just kidding, I was fine. Those little white dots are to help you follow the trail (kind of like blazes on trees I guess, just a lot more frequent). This is the Slickrock trail. Don't expect them all to be marked! First time I ever saw that in my life.

And the missus before a big drop:

Moab2.jpg
 
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ever since my GT Xizang got stolen I haven't touched a mountain bike, because I can't afford another one and I know nothing else will live up to my standards :/ Now that I live in the west, I might just have to build up an old Avelanche or something because there's so much awesome mountain biking so close to me.
 
j williams said:
Awesome post SJ.....Great info. Thanks!

I have a 100oz Camelback and 2 bottles (mixin electrolyte drinks in em)..I wonder if my MULE will hold another bladder....Gonna check that out. :thumbup:

You think packin a spare tube and 2 patch kits is enough for that terrain?
Click to expand...

I'd carry two tubes each, but I'm partial to airing up and going, not futzing with a patch. And there are places there you do not want to be stuck doing a walk out when you thought you would be riding! :D
 
yeah the slickrock trail is the only one marked like that. the purpose iirc is they change the markings periodically to prevent erosion. yes mtn bike tires while being eaten by that sandstone also eat at it.
whatever ya think ya need tube/patchkit wise take twice as much. really havent had any more problem with flats there. make sure yr buds are doing the same. ya dont want one(or more) of them using up all yr supplies cuz they were sure someone else would bring the stuf. ya might take a spare set of old tires for slickrock. it really will gnaw yr tires to pieces eventually. save yr good ones for the rest of yr riding. you dont even really need much tread for the slickrock trail. hydration and sunscreen are absolutely the most important things to consider. tho getting too many flats and having to walk outta some of those trails could get ya in a world o hurt. make sure everyones cell phones are charged before ya set out for the day. and put in some emergency numbers for the area and for shuttle folks. there are shuttles up to slickrock, poison spider, porcupine rim etc. saves ya some hard climbing, time and lets ya get to the trailhead quicker with more time actually on singletrack.
 
mapper66 said:
Hey, found a pic to whet your appetite.

Moab1.jpg


This is after the aforementioned heat stroke! Just kidding, I was fine. Those little white dots are to help you follow the trail (kind of like blazes on trees I guess, just a lot more frequent). This is the Slickrock trail. Don't expect them all to be marked! First time I ever saw that in my life.

And the missus before a big drop:

Moab2.jpg
Click to expand...

Whoa...awesome pics man. That place is somethin else.
 
mapper66 said:
I'd carry two tubes each, but I'm partial to airing up and going, not futzing with a patch. And there are places there you do not want to be stuck doing a walk out when you thought you would be riding! :D
Click to expand...

Good point man...more time for riding!! :thumbup:

jds1 said:
Check out La Hacienda or Miguel's for awesome mexican food and the Moab Brewery for apres ride refreshment. :D

http://www.moabhappenings.com/restaurants.htm

Jeff
Click to expand...

Awesome!! Thanks for the tip...:thumbup:

sadiejane said:
yeah the slickrock trail is the only one marked like that. the purpose iirc is they change the markings periodically to prevent erosion. yes mtn bike tires while being eaten by that sandstone also eat at it.
whatever ya think ya need tube/patchkit wise take twice as much. really havent had any more problem with flats there. make sure yr buds are doing the same. ya dont want one(or more) of them using up all yr supplies cuz they were sure someone else would bring the stuf. ya might take a spare set of old tires for slickrock. it really will gnaw yr tires to pieces eventually. save yr good ones for the rest of yr riding. you dont even really need much tread for the slickrock trail. hydration and sunscreen are absolutely the most important things to consider. tho getting too many flats and having to walk outta some of those trails could get ya in a world o hurt. make sure everyones cell phones are charged before ya set out for the day. and put in some emergency numbers for the area and for shuttle folks. there are shuttles up to slickrock, poison spider, porcupine rim etc. saves ya some hard climbing, time and lets ya get to the trailhead quicker with more time actually on singletrack.
Click to expand...

Spare tires....Good idea, I just put a pair of Kenda Nevegal Tomacs on the Surly...Dont wanna shred em. :thumbup:

Im Riding the Surly 1x1, and my Buddy is Ridin his Redline Monocog 29er....No gears on this trip...We work together on the ambulance, so were gonna hydrate with some IV fluids on the drive up, and at night after we ride....That and drinkin water, and electrolytes should keep us hydrated.

Since some of you guys have been there, any good trails for a semi-novice rider? My buddy is still pretty new at the mountain biking thing....
 
It's a beautiful place and a lot of fun! I can't even begin to get it through to you just how hot it can get there, 120 + in the shade, and much more hot in the sun!!! One product to look into taking is Gookinaid ( Vitalyte ), it comes in 3 different size packets and is one of the best rehydraters I've used. We would use it out at 29 Palms in Mojave while training in the Marine Corps where is can get even more hot than Moab. It has Sodium, Potassium, Sugar, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Protein, and Calcium in it. One 1.8 oz pack makes a quarts worth. Otherwise just make sure you bring a tarp (for shade and shelter) and a darn good pair of sunglasses (a must). I've been 4wheeling out there a few times and it's amazing. You'll have a great time and won't be dissapointed at all. Just make sure you bring us back plenty of pictures!!!
 
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