That "undisclosed location" in Utah still delivers the goods. Yea, it's starting to get crowded. This time we saw at least 5 other cars in the main parking lot. Yep. Getting crowded. Course we did not actually cross paths, were on the same trail with, or have to stop/yield to any other riders. (OK, OK, I'm exaggerating, as usual. We DID have to share one 1900 foot vertical rowdy descent with 2 other riders on that one trail. once.) Yep, getting crowded out there in
Vernal.
It was by all means the "Spring Training Camp" for this camper.
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| Campin |
70+ miles and 15 + hours in 3.5 days. Yea, it kicked me in the hiney. Bailed out on a loop or 2 at the end of a couple of days, but in the end survived, and it seems to have re-awoken what little "bike racer" I ever had in my system. I have a hint of being able to pedal in anger again for the first time in well over a year. Feels pretty damn good.
Hit a few new trails this time, rounding out the area bit more. Quite the trail variety out there to sample, plenty to keep a strong group occupied for at least 4-5 days, no problem.
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| Ladder Bridge on Flume Trail |
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| My, ain't it purdy up here - J Boy Trail - Red Fleet Area |
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| J-Boy Trail. No Left Turn |
Everything from
semi-alpine/aspen grove rides, to technical desert ledges to twisty,
smooth NARROW single track. It has a bit of it all. even a nonsensical shuttle/hke-a-bike/seriously chunk "downhill" run or two. THAT
little ride up & down Red Mountain was a ripper.
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| Red Mountain . Yep, Carry Bike up that..... ("Trail" visible....) |
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| UNggarrggOOFPant |
Moab is Great, more new trails. Fruita ROCKS. Gooseberry is Stellar. But I've got a bit of a thing for Vernal now. Maybe not EVERY year, but it deserves a spot in the Utah "MTB Honor Roll". It's the kind of place you just want to keep riding in. Even after the sun goes down.
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| Night Riding From Camp - Jazz ChromeMolly Trail |
Place still reminds me of EARLY Fruita, back in the days when it was still REALLY narrow out there. 3+ days on 8 inch wide singletrack is a great way to get REALLY back on the bike. This summer is going to be a LOT better for this old guy. I can't wait.
Guest Photography by
Sean Buckman. Great work.
