First of all, the drive up the Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Fruita has got to be a
top drive in the continental US. If your spouse gets a little worked up over 2K foot drops,
bring valium.
Rode with a local on Thurs; a trail which sees little travel in a beautiful area. The definition of
single track. His knowledge, friendliness and good hosting sense made it difficult to concentrate on
the trail. You'd like this guy ... and no, he is not a long haired freak.
Rode the other popular rides over the next few days, Mary's Loop, Horsethief Bench, Chutes and
Ladders, Prime Cut, Western Zip, Front Side ... All very good trails, well maintained, fun for
beginner and experienced rider alike. Scenery was terrific.
I also got out on Moore Fun by myself, no one else in my group was up for it, probably best. I rode
from west to east, choosing to gain some elevation on the road and save the extra downhill for the
trail. It is 4.5 miles long, written up as the most technical trail in the area, it is the most
technical trail I have ridden in Fruita; here is how it went: For the first 20 minutes in slapped me
silly. Not too steep uphill, but plenty of twisty turns, rocks, drops, rocks and exposure. After a
slow speed endo in the first half a mile, which bent my front brake lever severely, I lost all
confidence. The next 20 minutes, she raised her hand in anger several times, but never struck. You
know how that is, now I questioned every minor obstacle I saw. Eventually I just had to stop, check
out the view and get my head together. Reached the apex, hung out with a guy coming the other
direction and enjoyed the company. The next 2.5 miles downhill were great, easily as hard as the
uphill I had done, but now I had a little momentum. My confidence had returned and I rode well, only
worrying on occasion that the left brake lever would snap after my effort to bend it back into
place. Route finding was difficult at times, often I had to slow considerable, loose my momentum and
look around. Moore Fun, a very good ride!
The festival itself was great. It is small enough that you see the same people at the festival
grounds, trails and hotel. Very good bunch of people, young fast guys, older (even than me) couples
touring the country in their motor home, all types. My wife got to demo a few nice full rigs, the
Trek Fuel, Klein Maverick design, Specialized Epic, Titus Racer X. She like the Specialized the
best, though I was hoping she would like the Titus. But for a $2,800 small framed bike, 28.5 lbs
seems high, and she noticed it when hiking. The guys at Titus turned us off as well, made it tough
for her to try the bike, one hour late on Sunday morning when we were to return the bike and trying
to get back home. My hats of though to the Trek guy Eric, very nice and helpful guy.
Thanks Fruita, we had a great time, but in the future, remember, you only have a couple of
restaurants in town. When the size of the town triples overnight, stock up on food and don't try to
close at 9:00 on a Saturday night. Bikers have no problems eating or drinking beer, and we don't
mind paying you to provide it.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado