Southern Utah Days 1-3

Kenny is gettin' hitched in Moab this coming Saturday, so we are in the middle of an already awesome week.  

Loaded the bikes and gear into the Tacoma and headed north Friday evening.  Thru Flagstaff and around the North Rim and setup camp on Gooseberry Mesa near Hurricane, UT.  Not a bad place to wake up at...

Made breakfast, broke camp, and rode some awesome slick rock cliff side trails...

MSHA not around

Excellent ride, dropped into Hurricane to get a little resupply, and onto further adventures.  

Overall, the government shutdown worked in our favor for the drive.  Started thru Zion National Park for free, but no stopping or exiting the truck, but limited traffic.  OK, I got to see some cool views.  Then up 89 and along UT-12 thru Bryce Canyon to Escalante and setup camp just off Hole in the Rock Rd.  

Up again and ready for some overlanding on dirt/gravel and maybe even some 4x4.  Across the Escalante Canyons to Boulder and east on the Burr Trail Rd across Grand Staircase and Capital Reef.  Then south around the Henry Mountains.  

Pulled into Hanksville and debated our options for Sunday evening.  We both came to the same conclusion; Moab is calling.  Checked into the cabin and got settled.  Then up this morning and ride out the Old 191 paved bike path to the Moab Brand Trails.  Circle O-Rocking A-Bar B-Longbranch-Deadman's Ridge. Excellent introduction to the Moab area. 

Post ride, got cleaned up, and rolled into town.  Got some big bikes rented and a shuttle for The Whole Enchilada tomorrow, then a late lunch at Eddie McStiff's.  

More awesomeness to come!

-Ryan

Catching up for the tail end of "Summer"

Nothing big as of late.  Quick rides at Hawes and Papago/Tempe Town Lake/ASU and a trip to Prescott.  Despite 3 days in a row of 110+ in September, the temps are starting to break and the monsoons have been out in force.  Getting ready for Moab in a few weeks and ramp up the mileage in the valley this fall/winter.  

-Ryan

Not as Planned

We talked, Kenny was free, a plan was developed.  I crashed on their couch Friday way to late, up and rolling to late.  Got to Flagstaff, loaded the Bikepacking gear and started towards a southbound AZT ride.  Hoping to make the Schnebly Hill Overlook, but expecting the Mormon Lake area.  Ominous clouds were in the area, but hoping for the best.  Climbed up onto Anderson Mesa when the rain started on us.  Tried to continue on, but there wasn't much hope in sight.  So we turned around, down the loose rocks and switchbacks, then climbed up the other side of the canyon to Lake Mary Rd, warmed and dried up in a small sunny spot before high tailing it back to the car.  

Then off to Preskitt for the night and mañana.  

Stayed at the Prescottonian, decent Mexican food, good breakfast buffet, then a fast ride on Trail 305.  

-Ryan

Prescott is Calling

Last week, while discussing our ride options, I noticed the Sedona forecast seemed unseasonably comfy with highs of 82-83.  So away Kenny and I went on Sunday morning.  Pulled into a likely starting spot, got out of the car and had negative thoughts towards the weather guessers.  It had climbed over 90 already and it wasn't even 11:00.  Screw that, it's under 80 and not far to Preskitt.  On the road again, until 17 was backed up and led to the option of thru Jerome and over Mingus Mtn.  Finally, lets ride from Thumb Butte towards Granite Basin.  Great ride, great weather, great dinner at Prescott Brewing Co.  And by official decree in a unanimous 2-0 vote, I'm now the Designated Route Picker and Navigator of the SMBA AZ Chapter.

Another week of work in the bag, but Kenny has taken off on the KLR to explore the Rockies with his dad, so all alone I am.  And back to Prescott I am.  

Not in the mood for Lynx Lake, found a crowd of bikes and horses at White Spar, so again to Thumb Butte.  Headed south on the miniMonsterCross course until getting to the intersection of the Whiskey and megaMonsterCross.  Decided to head West and backwards on the Mega route and see how it went.  Reached a peak just before the next split that got just over 7000', which made me realize it had only been 6.25 miles and gone up 1200' already.  Mostly rideable and enjoyable.  Impressive views of Skull Valley.  Down and up, down and up, down and up.  Some riding, some HAB, one sidewall tear that required a tube on a rocky descent.  Finally popped out to some forest roads that would tie into getting back to the truck.  11 miles to get upto 7300' in 2.5 hours.  Then back down to the start in 4 miles/30 minutes.

-Ryan