50 Miles to Moab

[JCMatthews]

As stated in other threads I am a Varsity Scout leader (13-14 year olds). My group is chartered through the LDS (Mormon) Church. This gives me an outlet and a budget to do some of the outdoor activities that I like to do. To name a few we have jeeped Hell's Revenge, biked from the Goosnecks of the San Juan State Park through the Valley of the Gods, backpacked the Uintas, biked parts of the San Rafael Swell, and spent 5 days biking the White Rim trail of Canyonlands. Most recently (yesterday), 11 of us rode to the Shafer Trail down the switch backs, over to Potash, and into Moab for a total of 50 miles. We got home today and I am working on pictures, but here are a few to get you interested. :bike_rider:

P.S. Sorry for the annoying date in the corner of the pics, I have turned that option off and it won't happen again.

 

[upcruiser]

Nice! Sounds like some great experiences for the kids. I had the challenge of climbing the Schafer one time with an overburdened trailer behind my mountain bike after finishing the White Rim. I think I would enjoy it more going the other direction!

 

[JCMatthews]

We met at my house and loaded the M416. I had a couple friends (dads) there to help me. Last year when I did the White Rim Trail, I had problems with my tongue weight, so I have started putting my water across the middle of the trailer. However I did not realize that I needed it up front this time to counter balance the bikes on the back. A few miles down the highway I found this out. We hit a bump in the road and the bikes on the back started swinging side to side and they started the trailer going. Luckily I was able to get stopped before the trailer flopped on its side. :Wow1: On the shoulder of Hwy 6 we repacked the trailer with the heaviest things up front and the rest of the trip was driven at 60 mph . Maybe the military never meant for the trailer to carry 9 bikes!

 

[Sangster]

very cool! I just got called as 2nd counselor and have the Varsity Scouts too. excited about all the fun stuff we'll do. We don't have anything like MOAB down here in Florida, but in July we're going down to the keys to do some camping, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. Should be a blast! :wings:

 

[JCMatthews]

We camped @ Horse Thief Campground, a BLM campground nine miles from the Islands in the Sky entrance station. I have camped here a few times. However, the new host is awnry. I added a few photos of camp to show the boys chilling, and how we live off of the side of the trailer. I need to point out that we were riding 50 miles so the boys could earn their first of three 50 miler awards for the summer (bike, hike, and float). So to get 50 miles we had to start riding from the campground. It was mostly up hill to Islands in the Sky. The scenery was great, and the La Sals were stunning.

 

[JCMatthews]

very cool! I just got called as 2nd counselor and have the Varsity Scouts too. excited about all the fun stuff we'll do. We don't have anything like MOAB down here in Florida, but in July we're going down to the keys to do some camping, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking. Should be a blast! :wings:

That's funny, I'd love to come to the Florida Sea Base and do some ocean camping and activities. Make you a deal will show you around and you do the same for us! :victory:

 

[JCMatthews]

Some of the boys in our group were on the White Rim trip last year and were pretty excited to get to the National Park. For those who have not seen the Shafer Switch Backs they are quite amazing. The ride down was awesome. My arms were tired, but now I have completed on more short term goal. The boys did great and we had no accidents or injuries. If you look at the last picture, there is a large tree next to the road where it starts to level out. There is a pit toilet hiding behind that tree. That is also where the Potash Road takes off to the left. Straight is the White Rim Trail.

 

[JCMatthews]

So, @ the tree we took a left and off to Moab via the Potash Road we went. I had not been that way for a few years and had forgotten how beautiful it is. The scenery was great, flowers were in bloom and we had great views of the Colorado River. There was definately more uphill than I wanted, but for a mild mountain biker like myself it wasn't too bad. We all walked in a few places and took a few breaks but kept right on going. @ the 18.5 mile mark I took over the chase vehicle duties and let my buddy Jon ride with his son. We traveled on dirt for another 10 or so miles and everyone was glad when we reached the paved portion of Potash Road. :wings: We only had one flat that was easily repaired. :bike_rider:

 

[JCMatthews]

It has been a week since I posted last, but it does not appear that anyone was waiting for the end to the story, however I am going to finish anyhow.

 

[JCMatthews]

We were extremely glad to see pavement again. The sign reading Moab 19 really lifted the spirits of those who were pretty much spent. You can see by the thumbs up that everyone was pleased to riding on the pavement. The dirt section had been rough. The paved section went quite quickly compared to the dirt. You can see in one picture that several cars are along side the road. There was a film crew there making a movie. When we reached hwy 191 we regrouped and crossed over to the bike trail that goes into town. We followed the trail over the Colorado river and to town. We left our bikes in a building across town behind McDonald's and headed for the Moab Diner. The crew was really glad to sit on something besides their hard bike seats, have air conditioning, and endless ice water. The food was good too.:eatchicke

 

[JCMatthews]

Thursday Morning

It was a good sleep that followed a day like we'd had. In the morning it was gourmet breakfast burritos (notice the apron, that's what makes the burritos gourmet). :chef: Then we packed and got out of Dodge for home. The Expedition didn't have a spare seat belt heading home, so the cooler had to be precariously perched on the trailer. All in all the trip was a success and one that will be remembered a long time.

 

[SilverBullet]

I was reading this.. and thanks for finishing. Good story, you have much more stamina than I do for sure.

 

[roverrocks]

Great story, pictures, and adventure. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy getting to Moab/ Canyonlands to hike and 4w too. Never mtn biked. Those kids will remember the adventures you take them on for many years. Thanks for doing it for them.