Thursday, May 10, 2007

MOAB

STOP! Before you go further, go to the ToG entry below to read everything in chronological order from the last few weeks.


After dropping off riders at the airport in Tucson my plan was to head back to Wisconsin. I decided to head North.


Heading North from Tucson you get to Flagstaff. I stopped in for a coffee at Late For Train coffee shop and behind the counter was an old college friend, Pete Meirs. Pete and I were in the same major in school and did our NOLS semester together. He is one funny guy. I remember non-stop laughter when in his tent group. In addition to guiding for Western Spirit Cycling Adventures, Pete is living in "Flag" to attend nursing school. Pete showed me around town that night and gave me the scoop on the town. Flagstaff is a pretty cool place. Every one I met with Pete rides a bike. I've never seen as much bike flavor anywhere else. He is also a member of the local band the Shindaggers (they have a myspace thing. funny stuff).


A mistake picture that worked out pretty good. Which way is the gun show!


Moab, Utah is one of my favorite places. I love the Canyonland country and didn't realize how much I get a special feeling when I'm there. There is a loop ride that goes through Castle Valley. I didn't know much about it. Two years ago I did some of the loop but had to turn around when a freak snow storm blew in. This time I did the whole loop. One of the best rides I've ever done. Partly because I knew nothing about it. The whole loop is about 70 miles and is a beautiful ride through desert and climbs into the La Sal mountains. I came upon a sign that warned of a "bridge out ahead- local traffic only." I interpreted this as, "go ahead, bikes can probably get through." If not, I would have to ride 45 miles out and turn around. The ride took about 5 hours and a good 3 hours was probably climbing. I'm not sure. I only know it climbed forever. If you are ever there you have to do this ride. There is plenty of downhill too and I saw about 5 cars the whole day. Quite the memorable ride.


Nine miles left and I'd know if the bridge is out or not. This sign was all wrong. I never saw the bridge until two hours later. I'd already been climbing for about 1 1/2 hours at this point. EPIC!


THe view from somewhere on the climb. Still not done climbing. I started way down there where the road is disappearing into the horizon.



Snowball


I made it over the top and the bridge was okay for bikes to cross.


Lot's of downhill to get back to Moab.


Goofing around.


I once spent two weeks in the Canyonlands Backcountry. This is what I saw every evening. How can scenery like this not affect you?

Thanks for visiting the blog again,

DOUG

No comments: