Moab First Timer Thread

[Percy Rideout]

Go to Fruita and ride the 18 Road stuff. It's really fun and inexperienced gf friendly.

this guy knows.

If you must ride moab as an intermediate rider:

1. Start at Bar M.
2. Klondike is a good 2nd.
3. Slickrock if you are feeling really good, and want to pay money.


I actually don't think Amasa/Hymasa/Ahab is too hard since they installed Hymasa, but i haven't seen one rec for this yet.

[adrenalated]

I actually don't think Amasa/Hymasa/Ahab is too hard since they installed Hymasa, but i haven't seen one rec for this yet.

There are a few features on Ahab that I think would be a bit much for a true intermediate rider.
It's a good introduction to advanced Moab riding, though.

[skaredshtles]

There are a few features on Ahab that I think would be a bit much for a true intermediate rider.
It's a good introduction to advanced Moab riding, though.

Agreed. My recollection of Ahab was that it wasn't terribly difficult at pace, but there are some features that if you went in timid/slow, they could be season-enders.

But it's been a LONG time since I've ridden it, so mebbe my recollection is wrong.

[snowaddict91]

Was there on Saturday for Soccer, was thinking next trip we'd bring bikes too... where is the new?

Electric Hills is the new trail system, feel free to PM next time you're here and I'll show you around if I'm not busy. It's all on MTB project too.

Montrose is the next Moab, you heard it here first.

[east or bust]

Ok, seems like the appropriate place to put this... We survived and here are some thoughts:

This trip was the definition of a quick hit, we didn't even scratch the surface but got a feel for enough that my thoughts may be worth reading for other Moab newbs. IMO the riding down here is a bit of new territory for those used to standard, not too technical, singletrack (think Horseshoe Canyon and Pocatello ID for example). I fucking loved it, but it definitely surprised the GF and took her some time to get comfortable on the short, punchy, and technical climbs that need to be cleaned to ride the trails fluidly.


We took the scenic route from Jackson down through sheepfucker country to SLC on Wednesday night and stayed with some of her family.





Left early-ish Thursday morning and made it to the 191/313 fork in about 3.25hrs (majorly jealous how close this is for you SLC people).



I knew we needed an easy day so we started at Deadhorse Point State Park. The parking fee was a bit steep at $20, so this is not a multiple day riding spot IMO. Not to mention there's only a few hours of riding to be had before you've seen it all. Parking was not an issue. Big lot, not really a destination ride for most people so it checks out. Nice clean shitters though, if that kind of thing is important to you.

We didn't know which way to ride the loop, guessed and went counter clockwise which turned out is the suggested route on trailforks. Climb/descent vert is pretty much a wash so don't think it matters what way you go. To put it bluntly, there are only two reasons to ride here.
1. You're with a beginner/intermediate
2. You're checking a box

That being said, the views down to the Colorado/Canyonlands are pretty sweet, a decent portion of the ride is along the rim but not close enough for any exposure concerns.





It was nice to get it while it's still lush. Lots of green out there right now and some pretty wildflowers.



These were popping up everywhere




[and in town..]




Nice views of the La Sals too





Total ride time took us about 3:30 to ride the 13 mile loop with some stops for pictures and line scoping, way longer than it should have. Filled out the rest of the afternoon taking some more pictures and checking out some bike shops in town (Poison Spider and Chile Pepper seem very legit).







It was pretty crazy driving around town on a Thursday afternoon, can't imagine what it's like on weekends let alone peak tourist season. Avoid town like the plague unless you need something.

In the evening we drove down the Colorado to check out some of the local climbing crags. Most people were top roping shorter pitches near the base. It would be badass to see climbers high up on these faces.





As an added bonus, we stumbled across some great petroglyphs. Kind of spooky illuminating them with headlamps at night... These are actually like 15-20' up on the rock face.







Day 2 we got an early start and decided to ride a portion of Navajo Rocks. Started at the main trailhead and rode counterclockwise (forget if that's what was recommended here) for about a 9 mile loop on Big Mesa, Big Lonely, and Coney Island. Thought it was a pretty fun ride. More technical than the day before but nothing crazy. Solid progression. Was really impressed with the way she was riding the second half of Coney Island, which I thought had more technical features than anything we'd ridden.

Big Mesa





Including some noodling on the lady's bike by yours truly, hey she's not bad behind the glass either





Coney Island (of course I didn't capture any of the fun/challenging bits )









Ended the day was a quick trip into Arches. Really need a FULL day here to appreciate it all...










Ready for round 2!

[Name Redacted]

Nice pics dude. I love it when people follow up on threads like this, should be a requirement. Looks like y'all had a great time. I've been to Moab maybe 50 times and every time I find something new, there really is so much to explore. And yeah, there's really no reason to ever go into town except for a trip to Gearheads, because that place is awesome, or if you need to go somewhere south.

[joetron]

Nice pics dude. I love it when people follow up on threads like this, should be a requirement. Looks like y'all had a great time. I've been to Moab maybe 50 times and every time I find something new, there really is so much to explore. And yeah, there's really no reason to ever go into town except for a trip to Gearheads, because that place is awesome, or if you need to go somewhere south.

The Love Muffin, Milts and Moonflower Market would like a word.


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[raisingarizona13]

That's awesome Andrew. Thanks for posting up those beautiful photos.

[Name Redacted]

The Love Muffin, Milts and Moonflower Market would like a word.


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Meh, those are cool, but they aren't really a draw for me. You can get that kinda stuff in just about any town in America. I go to Moab to ride and camp, and eat/drink camp food and beers around a fire with friends. I've done the town thing, it really doesn't stand out to me, although those places are good, they just aren't enough. I do hear that there's a new brewery in town.

[MakersTeleMark]

Milts:



Not worth going into that mess of a town though.

[N1CK.]

we used to ride Dave's trail on day one, just to shake out the bikes and get our heads on straight. It's an easy pedal up the road, and a super easy shuttle. Now, I like to ride Pipe Dream for the warm up. From S > N it's slightly downhill, short, just enough challenge to wake you up, and it pretty much ends at the brewery. It would have been good to check out while you where there. Ahab is a given, I love that ride. Porc Rim from the old trailhead on SF Road, or above to LPS or UPS, is another standard for me. Honestly I could do LPS > the river a couple of times on a trip. I just love that ride.

Looking forward to moar pics.

[Thaleia]

Nice pics!!

I heard Milt's went downhill pretty hard lately, anyone have any first hand knowledge? You know, from someone who isn't like 3000 Km's away and going on second hand internet rumours?!

[MakersTeleMark]

Nice pics!!

I heard Milt's went downhill pretty hard lately, anyone have any first hand knowledge? You know, from someone who isn't like 3000 Km's away and going on second hand internet rumours?!

That sucks. I knew one of the owners bitd when he just met his gf. Admittedly, it's been almost a decade since I've been there.

[Hott Butt Mud]

How are the conditions in Montrose right now?

[snowaddict91]

How are the conditions in Montrose right now?

All lower elevation trails are dry. Lower Spring Creek loop has some creek crossings that aren't normally there.

The Unc Plateau is snowed in, probably is at least a month out.

RAT is dry/open as of yesterday.

Also, nice pics/TR EoB! Sounds like you showed your lady a good time without killing her.

[muted reborn]

Now, I like to ride Pipe Dream for the warm up. From S > N it's slightly downhill, short, just enough challenge to wake you up, and it pretty much ends at the brewery. It would have been good to check out while you where there.

It's rated as a black diamond (although it's more like a hard intermediate trail IMO) - no way I'd take a beginner there.

And great pics East r Bust! Glad the trip went well.