Utah: Riding In The Land Of Rocks And Sand

[WoodsChick]

Originally Posted by sksksks

This is awesome.

Thanks! It was an awesome time, for sure!

Originally Posted by louemc

I like the changing to the specific where,.. aspect, of you're username.

Whatever You're doing, it's a larger than life, thing..
And one word just isn't enough..

...what?



JustKiddingChick

[WoodsChick]

After finishing the White Rim Trail, we left the river behind...





...and switchbacked up to the top of the plateau...




The switchbacks weren't quite as radical as the ones on Shafer Trail or the Burr Trail, but they were still challenging and fun. Can you see Eric?




We arrived in camp about 20 minutes later, starving yet reluctant to park the bikes. We were both acutely aware that this was our last day here, and we weren't quite ready to pull the plug. We off-loaded all our stuff, had a snack and then headed back out to the Shafer Trail. I'd parked the 610 with its broken subframe and was now riding my 650. Oddly enough, the Metzeler "Sahara" tires do not work well in the sand...

























My shirt does double duty as a search-and-rescue aid...











Whaddaya mean I'm not doing it right?






Oh. Ok. I guess the front wheel is supposed to be off the ground...not the rear!







I dig the national park entrances out here...





More later; I'm riding up to Reno at sunrise tomorrow and I'm exhausted!





WoodsChick

[ThumperX]

OMG I want to be there!!!

[WoodsChick]

Originally Posted by ThumperX

OMG I want to be there!!!

It's waiting for you






WoodsChick

[WoodsChick]

I really like this bike...




Yeah, flat-footing on one side with the help of rock...





Old and new...










Ran into a bunch of this stuff on our way down into Moab...












We hit up our favorite pizza joint for a much-needed meal, then made another trip to GearHeads to pick up some new French press coffee cups. Then it was non-stop up the hill at fairly high rates of speed, racing the sunset all the way. We won...




After loading up we settled in for a nice evening in camp, our last in Utah. This place is so spiritually uplifting, so inspiring, and so good at bringing us down to earth and letting us know how insignificant we really are in the Grand scheme of things. Yes, that's Grand with a capital G. The geological history of our planet is laid bare for all to see here, and it so totally gives me something huge and wondrous to ponder every time I'm here. I was thankful and grateful to have the opportunity to ride here, and I was feeling slightly ashamed for wanting more, for not wanting this incredible trip to end. But end it would, though, as we would be leaving in the morning.


Not before having more trouble with the charging system in the van, though. We'd gotten a new alternator at Parts Plus in Ely, NV on the way out. Now the van was doing the exact same thing it was doing before. We took it to Arches Auto Repair and had the owner go through it and do some testing. Super cool guy, used to own the 76 station on Claremont and College in Oakland. While waiting we walked to Mi Ranchita for breakfast, and it was superb! Tasty, cheap, super-friendly family running it...good stuff!




We ended up turning in our original alternator and getting a free one from the Parts Plus in Moab. Eric is good at swapping them out by now...




1/2 hour later we were heading west with a perfectly-running van!



We drove for hours on end and finally found our spot for the night...one of our favorite hot ponds. And guess what? It was absolutely trashed...again









Seriously, folks...if I ever catch you despoiling one of nature's most precious gifts to man I can guarantee you I will personally shove each and every can, bottle, used condom, cigarette butt, shotgun shell, bottle cap, bic lighter, etc. down your motherfucking throat. Guaranteed.



After straightening the place up...again...it was time for some damned relaxation...




This time we were prepared and had a huge garbage bag with us. We wandered through the sagebrush on the way back to the van and picked up every piece of human detritus we could find. And it was a lot. We found this out there and don't know what it is. Anyone?





This is what we drove away with...






All the way home I culled and edited my photos on my laptop, reliving the trip in every delicious detail...much like I've done with this ridiculously long ride report. If you're still here and hanging with me, thank you! You deserve a medal of some sort! If you bailed long ago...well, I don't blame you


Anyway, thanks again for letting me share and use up precious BARF bandwidth


Just a warning: I might go back to Utah for a few weeks next year. Ride report on the way




WoodsChick

[louemc]

The front wheel on the ground, rear in the air, is refined finesse, opens up a wonderful world of moves.

[WoodsChick]

Originally Posted by louemc

The front wheel on the ground, rear in the air, is refined finesse, opens up a wonderful world of moves.

Oh, make no mistake, Lou: there was nothing refined or finessey about that particular move




HamFistedChick

[louemc]

Originally Posted by WoodsChick

Oh, make no mistake, Lou: there was nothing refined or finessey about that particular move

HamFistedChick

Didn't say there was, but didn't see a bad outcome either.

literally turning on a dime, is often best done on One wheel.

Going up hill, favors the rear wheel being on the ground, and carrying power.

Going down hill, and a no forgiveness line around a tree or rock favors the front wheel being on the ground with the braking being done, and at the moment of the turn, having the rear wheel up, use your body to kick the rear wheel out and toss the bike down to the lean for that sharp a turn, and power up and set the rear wheel down simultaneously.

Not that I want to use a pavement example...But it was shown in slow motion and in close-up, when Ben Spies did it, about 5 years ago at a track (Road America, maybe)..and not turning on a dime, but...front wheel braking, rear wheel in the air, right up to the apex, then...Body twist/kick out rear wheel, power up so tire is working the drive into the corner on set down contact.

Seeing it on video...made it make sense...when imagination might not.

Wheelie for safety

[SRAD600]

Except for the trash, that's one pretty awesome trip there.

[two wheel tramp]

WoodsChick, I just bought an ADV capable bike recently. Your reports are beautiful, well written and inspiring.

[boney]

Finally had the time to sit down and enjoy this thread like it should be enjoyed; With a hot cup of coffee.

Supremely fantastic.

[rensho]

Double A+ for cleaning up the trash. I don't understand people that litter.

Hey, how much did you lower that Husky?

[2legs2wheels]

Again awesome ride report

[SFMCjohn]

Hey WC,

You are famous!
See the BARF ad on page 21 of the July issue of
CityBike!
"Check out Woodschicks ride reports!
The adventure rides we all dream of!"

Complete with photo ... specifically mentions this ride report ...

you rock!
-- SFMCjohn

[ThumperX]

Rock'n out loud and in public on da BARFs!!!