| Every mountain biker worth his or her | | | | wonder why you are supposed to have the |
| salt will want to try the Slick Rock | | | | "least possible impact" on their |
| Trail, located in Moab, Utah - one of | | | | environment...but that's just the way |
| the most challenging mountain biking | | | | things are. Be responsible for your own |
| trails in the world. | | | | personal "footprint", even if you can't |
| Every sport has its "ultimate" | | | | control what other people do. |
| challenge. Golf has the Augusta National | | | | Moab biking trails consist of what's |
| - host of the Masters tournament, Tennis | | | | called "Slick Rock." I'll get to that in |
| has the grass courts of Wimbledon, car | | | | a little bit. For now, here's the list |
| racing has the Daytona International | | | | of good practices. |
| Speedway, home of the Daytona 500. | | | | 1) Ride only on open roads and trails |
| Mountain Biking has the Slickrock Bike | | | | 2) Learn to recognize and preserve |
| Trail in Moab, Utah. | | | | cryptobiotic soil crusts. Okay - that's |
| The Slickrock Bike Trail is a 9.6 mile | | | | going to be tough. Wait until you get to |
| trail which most experts consider to be | | | | Moab and then have someone point them |
| "the ultimate mountain biking | | | | out to you. |
| experience." There's plenty of "easy and | | | | 3) Avoid skidding your tires |
| scenic" bike trails as well, but for the | | | | 4) When it's wet, avoid clay- like |
| ultimate ride, Slickrock is it. | | | | surfaces. Stay on the rocky, slickrock |
| Moab is located in eastern Utah, about | | | | or sandy areas |
| 230 miles east of Salt Lake City, or 350 | | | | 5) Don't ride along the sides of streams |
| miles west of Denver, Colorado. The | | | | 6) Don't pollute the water resources |
| origin of the name of Moab for this once | | | | Mountain Bike Trails |
| small town (incorporated in 1902) are | | | | 1) Over 100,000 people a year ride on |
| unclear, but now the name is iconic for | | | | the Slick Rock Trail - so named because |
| great mountain biking. | | | | its a trail of "naked" sandstone - stone |
| Moab isn't a big city - only about 5,000 | | | | that can hold onto your bike's tires at |
| people live there, but they get plenty | | | | "gravity defying angles." The trail is |
| of tourist traffic - so much so that | | | | rated a "Class 4" - 4 being the hardest |
| you'll find over thirty hotels and | | | | class. |
| motels, ten bed and breakfasts, two | | | | The trail is twelve miles long, and if |
| resorts, 26 guest houses, and fifteen | | | | you weren't concentrating on the ground |
| privately owned campgrounds. There are | | | | in front of you you'd see that it |
| also over a dozen public campgrounds in | | | | crosses an elevated platform of |
| the national parks nearby. | | | | sandstone surrounded by cliffs – |
| Tourists don't just come for the | | | | cut by the Colorado River over millions |
| mountain biking, of course. There's | | | | of years. You'll be able to view |
| off-road jeep trails, hiking, camping, | | | | canyons, see Arches National Park across |
| and motorcycling...there's even the Mill | | | | the river, and the La Sal Mountains on |
| Canyon Dinosaur Trail, on which you can | | | | the eastern skyline. |
| walk and see traces of dinosaur bones of | | | | The trail is a 12-mile long loop (if you |
| a variety of species. | | | | don't take any side trips) and will take |
| The first thing any visitor to Moab | | | | at least four hours. Make sure you bring |
| should do is visit their Visitor's | | | | a lot of extra water with you. You can |
| Center, which will have brochures for | | | | bike on the trail from mid-February |
| every activity under the sun, trail maps | | | | through November, but of course is most |
| and more. If you're new to Moab you do | | | | popular through spring and fall. |
| not want to go anywhere without a | | | | The trail is in the Sand Flats |
| selection of trailmaps, and you should | | | | Recreation Area, and there is a small |
| never go anywhere without letting | | | | fee enter. The fee pays for the |
| someone know where you're going and when | | | | maintenance of the entire area. |
| you plan to be back. Better still, | | | | 2) The Porcupine Rim Trail, also located |
| always hike or bike with a buddy who can | | | | in the Sand Flats Recreation Area, is |
| help you out in case of trouble. | | | | also rated a Category 4. This is a one |
| If you're a beginner, there are plenty | | | | way trail and takes about half-a-day to |
| of tour operators - mountain biking, | | | | ride. |
| white river rafting, skydiving - who can | | | | However, if your family is full of both |
| take you to the right places and ensure | | | | skilled mountain bikers and beginners, |
| you have a good time. | | | | don't despair. There's plenty of other |
| As you ride along on your bike you may | | | | easy mountain biking trails in this |
| see others littering or misbehaving, and | | | | beautiful area.- such as the Bar M Loop. |