Mountain Biking Mecca

BIG Group Ride!



When your ride starts out with this warning, you know you're in for a great day!

About 12 of us, all from Michigan or previously from Michigan (now in CO or UT) teamed up to do the ride. By the way, we really haven't been missing Michigan much, but we sure have been missing friends and riding buddies. It was so great to ride with friends again, and make some new ones during the adventure, thanks guys and gals, I'm glad we could meet up with all of you!

Porcupine rim is one of the most famous trails in Moab. It is also on of the most technical (some would argue there are more difficult trails, mostly the full-face helmet, full body armor guys) but we were a bunch of Michigan flatlander racer types. It think this trail will do just fine, thanks.



Here is a partial trail description taken from utahmountainbiking.com; "...At 15.6 miles, requiring expert technical skills, this ride is for advanced bikers who are in good shape. It's one-way with a shuttle car, or a 34-mile loop for the truly insane (10 uphill miles from Moab to the trailhead, 8 flat miles from Jackass Canyon back to the middle of Moab)...The real ride begins at the Rim. This is primo downhill advanced technical stuff, dropping off a gazillion small rocky ledges, with the last 3 miles a hairy single-track on the edge of deadly cliffs. From the Rim, you'll drop 2,700 vertical feet to the Colorado River over 11 unforgettable miles..."

The Trail head was at 5,200 ft. None of us were quite prepared for the 15 degree difference in temps from downtown Moab, or the gusty winds that threatened to blow us off the side of the cliff.


The first 3 miles of the trail are uphill. It takes you from the trail head to 7,200 ft. It was difficult terrain all the way up, but we were rewarded with some spectacular views at the summit.






Here are a couple of group shots, from the summit. I think we got everyone between these two shots, some appear twice(posers ;))














Ok, we refueled, posed for pics, tightened loose parts, threatened to throw each other over the ledge and prepared for the 11 mile decent!








The trail description was pretty accurate; Small rocky drop-off's, scary speed(hit 27 mph on one open road decent!), exposed cliffs, loose sand and rock, spectacular views...yep, all there!















Some sections were just too crazy too ride. Hell, they were even difficult to walk!


I got back to the campground about 3 hours later. Total miles, 18. Scared myself a little, crashed once (small, no big deal), scraped up the bike but avoided breaking anything and had an awesome adventure with a great bunch of friends. I had a perma-grin on my face for the remainder of the day!

You might notice, Laura is missing from the group pics above. She wisely passed on this particular adventure. Smart move, as it was a little above her skill level. It would not have been a good experience for her! I promised a ride with her, after some much needed lunch.

We headed over to the most famous trail in Moab, Slick Rock. We did around 6 miles and had a blast. Here is Laura posing with the Rockies(I think) in the background. Spectacular views are in abundance around here!

We finished off the day with a big group dinner at one of the local pasta places. We sat outside, drank beer, ate pasta, (carb reloading is very important ) told tall tales of the ride, watched the classic cars go by (BIG car show, same weekend) and just enjoyed great company. We also were saying goodbye to Yvonne(sp?), originally from Germany, has been in Michigan 4 years. She was returning home after this adventure. What a great send-off, good luck.

Great times with great friends.........Priceless!

-Rich-