Riding Retro on Slickrock Trail Moab Utah

[incorrigible]

Re:

No photos, sorry. I was driving cross-country from California to Virginia and decided to "stop in" at Moab. I got there around noon and rode the trail, and then dragged my beaten and sweat-soaked body to one of the 3 motels in town to book a room, collapsed into a heap, and then got back on the road the next day. Thinking back, I should have purchased one or two of those throwaway film cameras that were popular in the early to mid nineties.

I'd like to have checked out some of the other trails as well when I was there, but I had always read that Slickrock was the ultimate trail, so I chose to take it on, and afterwards I was in no condition for any other trails. If I ever get back to Moab, I might go a few miles down slick rock and then turn around and go check out some of the other trails. There's no way I want to go thru that much torture ever again, even if I were in top shape. I did it once and I'm done.

 

[ti_pin_man]

Rode both directions in 1999/2000 on my 1994 Ti Ibis Mojo. No problems on a retro bike.

Slickrock is an acquired skill, it takes a bit to dial into the trail and get used to how it rides, its very different to anything else you will have ridden and never underestimate the distance, 10 miles is nothing right? But this trail is up and down up and down up and down up and down up and down repeat to fade. Its like an anaerobic sprints interval training route. Add in the heat. Ouch.

When I did it, I did the practise loop and then did it anti clockwise and then clockwise. I set off very early when temperatures where low and it still was a hard days riding.

Next day I did Porcupine Rim, one of the best rides in the world.

 

[ti_pin_man]

curse you guys ... this thread is now making me look at the Kokopelli trail and the Whole Enchileada.. stop, dont be tempted, step back from the keyboard, must resist, cant do a trip currently ... can i? agrhhhhhhhh.

EDIT: this looks good, anybody done this one?

http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/479729

 

[halaburt]

Late to the party here with pics... but I'd agree that Moab is fantastic. Been probably 10-15 times with all but maybe 2 trips on retro/vintage bikes. A few comments:
- The newer trails (like Whole Enchilada) are really geared to modern full-suspension bikes.
- There's still lots of the older trails that are "vintage friendly"... including Slickrock. I'd actually argue that Slickrock and the similar-terrained trails are BETTER on an all rigid bike because they're more like a trials course.
- Those touting Eddie McStiffs as a restaurant stop have very different tastes than me. I would class that as one of the single worst bar/restaurants in Moab. The town doesn't have a lot of great dining, but places like Love Muffin and Milt's are well worth visiting.
- One of the best ways to experience Moab (especially as a first-timer) is to do a supported multi-day tour. I recommend Rim Tours.
- Rim Cyclery is your retro/vintage appropriate bike shop. The first shop there and still owned by the same Groff family.
- If you've traveled to get somewhere as remote as Moab, do the half-day drive over to Durango... another awesome MTB locale.

2010:

2013:

 

[hamster]

Always dangerous I admit to recommend a restaurant visited 22 years earlier!

 

[lewisfoto]

Thanks for adding the pictures. When I started the thread my hope was that it would become a collecting point for such images.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

Moab was the holy grail of bike trips back in the 80's and 90's for us too. My wife and road that in 2003 - I was on my old Kona Scrap freeride hardtail and she was on a Kona Nunu. I didn't think it was that difficult compared to the local trails. We ran into some of the guys from the Norco factory team and they were doing nose wheelies on the descents and finding all of the drops off the main route. I'd love to get back there again.