Conditions in Fruita

I should be there 16 & 17 April. What's it like at present? I gather you don't ride in the mud -
here in the UK we usually don't have a choice! (Although it's not sticky mud in my part of Yorkshire
- UK) To experience the Bookcliffs in one day should I do the Edge or link a variety of 18 Road
rides. I'd like to eyeball Independence Rock. Is there a way to do this well from a bike (doesn't
have to be technical) or should I walk? Thanks, Pat.

 

Pat wrote:

> I should be there 16 & 17 April. What's it like at present? I gather you don't ride in the mud -
> here in the UK we usually don't have a choice! (Although it's not sticky mud in my part of
> Yorkshire - UK) To experience the Bookcliffs in one day should I do the Edge or link a variety of
> 18 Road rides.

> I'd like to eyeball Independence Rock. Is there a way to do this well from a bike (doesn't have to
> be technical) or should I walk?

You realize that Independence Rock is about 250 - 300 miles from Fruita, right? You can drive right
up to Independence Rock (Wyoming). I assume there is a hiking trail around it - probably no bikes
(??). You could bike TO it easily.

As per conditions in Fruita: visit alt.mountain-bike. They've been talking about Fruita for the last
week(s). In particular, look for posts by JD and ask him. He lives near there.

Here's another resource: http://www.trailcentral.com/community/forumdisplay.php?fid=11 (see the post
on Fruita)

Here you go - right to the source: http://www.otesports.com/trails.cfm

(... and get used to American mangling of language. It's pronounced FROO-ta (by the
anglo-'mericans), not froo-EE-ta, as it should be.)

--
**********************************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Tolerance is recognizing that other people
have different ideals and needs than you. Compromise is acting on that knowledge.
***********************************************************

 

Hmm! Independence Rock, Independence Monument, Otto's Rock... I have seen it called a few things!
It's a 450 foot tall free-standing tower in (confusingly!) Colorado National Monument just across
the road from Fruita. Seems to be unknown to Encarta (British version) Thanks for the other info,
Chuck. Pat. "Chuck Anderson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Pat wrote:
>
> > I should be there 16 & 17 April. What's it like at present? I gather you don't ride in the mud -
> > here in the UK we usually don't have a choice! (Although
it's
> > not sticky mud in my part of Yorkshire - UK) To experience the Bookcliffs in one day should I do
> > the Edge or link a variety
of
> > 18 Road rides.
>
> > I'd like to eyeball Independence Rock. Is there a way to do this well from a
bike
> > (doesn't have to be technical) or should I walk?
>
> You realize that Independence Rock is about 250 - 300 miles from Fruita, right? You can drive
> right up to Independence Rock (Wyoming). I assume there is a
hiking
> trail around it - probably no bikes (??). You could bike TO it easily.
>
> As per conditions in Fruita: visit alt.mountain-bike. They've been talking
about
> Fruita for the last week(s). In particular, look for posts by JD and ask him.
He
> lives near there.
>
> Here's another resource: http://www.trailcentral.com/community/forumdisplay.php?fid=11 (see the
> post on Fruita)
>
> Here you go - right to the source: http://www.otesports.com/trails.cfm
>
> (... and get used to American mangling of language. It's pronounced FROO-ta (by
the
> anglo-'mericans), not froo-EE-ta, as it should be.)
>
> --
> **********************************************
> Chuck Anderson . Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Tolerance is recognizing that other
> people have different ideals and needs than you. Compromise is acting on that knowledge.
> ***********************************************************

 

Pat wrote:

> Hmm! Independence Rock, Independence Monument, Otto's Rock... I have

Ahhhhhh. I forgot all about Colorado National Monument (a hidden gem). Independence Monument. Otto's
route is one popular climbing route on it. There are many astounding rock formations in the park.
That's all there is, actually. ... ... one after the other.

> seen it called a few things! It's a 450 foot tall free-standing tower in (confusingly!) Colorado
> National Monument

It's not confusing once you see all of the great rock "monuments" there. It is an amazing and and
relatively unknown place. The bike race circuit that was there was called the Tour of the Moon. It
is a place that must be seen.

You could ride your bike into the park (there's a north and a south entrance, so you can ride a loop
if you wish). My guess is that there are NO bike trails in the park, but even the road (paved -
tarmac) would be an amazing ride (for the views). I'm sure you could lock up your bike and hike in
to the rock formation itself.

--
**********************************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Tolerance is recognizing that other people
have different ideals and needs than you. Compromise is acting on that knowledge.
***********************************************************