forrestunifreak said:*Hey,Im going to moab too!!(after all)
Is the slickrock really that hard?or is it like riding in grass? *
I grew up in Utah, and so I'll offer some info that may be of value.
"Slickrock" is much more than just the name of a mountain bike trail.
Slickrock is alot like riding on hard concrete that has been completely
surfaced with a moderate to fine sandpaper, for thousands of square
miles spread across countless sections of Utah/Colorado/New Mexico and
Arizona. One of the largest, most accessable areas with this type of
rock is the area surrounding Moab, Utah. (If you ever get bored with
Moab, check out Fruita CO., fairly short commute, North-West of Moab
over the state border, just outside of Grand Junction, CO.)
The name "slickrock" dates back to when the area was first explored by
the white man on horseback. The horses (with their metal horseshoes)
would slip, slide, and sometimes fall on the sandstone rock surfaces,
hence the name, slickrock. After the modern advent of vulcanized rubber
tires, the name really doesn't make any sense anymore, but the geologic
rock layer was already long since named "slickrock" in the geology and
science books around the world, so it is here to stay.
Instead of perfectly flat like a sidewalk, it has varied terrain ranging
from finger sized dips, nips, long smooth sections, perfect steps
sections, bumpy rolling areas, smooth rolling areas, sharp cleaves
edges, then rolling hills like petrified sand dunes. (In fact, there is
an area in the region that actually IS petrified sand dunes...) not all
these sections at once, but scattered everywhere. Once in a while you
will find a long (or short) low place that the wind has deposited deep,
loose, orange/red silty-sand that will give even your brand new 3-inch
Gazz a struggle to find traction. If you want a harder line, go to one
side of the trial dots, if you want an easier line, you can often go to
the other side of the dots. ---But not too far, there are cliffs
EVERYWHERE. Switch back and forth, jump here, smooth ride over there.
You can make your ride any type of challenge you choose. You will find
traction to ride up and down hills that would usually slip if it was
dirt. It's like magic.
The slickrock trail was originally a motorcycle trail first, and
switched to a mountain bike trail later. The newer motorcycle trail
still shares parts of the mountain bike trail, as does a jeep trail,
because sometime's there is only one way to get from point A to point B
out there. When you see the place for yourself you will truely
understand the phrase, "You can't get there from here." Nearly every
off-trail ridge will end in a sheer cliff. Anyone who has ever hiked in
southern Utah and tried to find a big shortcut can attest to that. 😉
(as I raise my hand).
If you've read this far, I'll just throw in a little bit more.
Oh, yeah, take as much water as you can carry, even if you think it's
too heavy. unless it's presently raining, the humidity in the area,
(Desert!), hovers around 0%. You will loose moisture faster than you
are used to. My first year I took 3 liters on the slickrock trail, had
to ration alot, and still ran dry 1-2 miles from the end. I since
started taking a 2nd 3 liter bottle and have finished all 6 liters.
It's better to start with too much water and give someone who needs it,
than not have enough when desert riding.
Those of us here in Colorado will enjoy the low alltitude in Moab, but
most others will have to deal with the 4000 foot elevation. You may
fatigue faster, find yourself out of breath much sooner than you thought
possible, and if you are dehydrated, you will get dizzy, make bad timing
judgements and make mistakes while surrounded by cliffs. You'll find
yourself taking a couple more breaks than you normally would back home.
Not to make the place sound dangerous, it really not if you are careful.
Just drink enough water so you are peeing clear, or nearly clear, and
take and eat food on the trail and pack a few quick energy suger
items.
gee, this post is getting long and starting to meander, so that's all
for now.
Ed Hansen
--
Ed Hansen - You know you want to be me.
"I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to
have been only a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in
now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than
ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before
me." (Isaac Newton)
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