Thursday, July 7, 2011

Moab MTB Mecca

Howdy y'all.  Just writing from  the adventure capital of the US - MOAB, Utah! 
Travelled up from Bryce National Park a few days ago - through a very scenic and remote bit of road.  Had our first sprinklin of rain (in 4 weeks)- so Albert got a wash (which was desperately needed)!  Also realised he has automatic wipers that sense the rain and wipe accordingly (gotta love the gadgets) - was a bit erratic though (Brent called it epileptic) ...went fast in light showers, and slow in heavy rain.  Amusing.
Anyway, enough about windscreen wipers.
1st day in Moab, got ourselves a cheapo motel (too hot to sleep in the van - 35 - 38 deg in the day and was still 30 deg at 10.30pm last night).  Went for a
walk to Corona Arch - see the photo - and see if you can spot me in the bottom right of the arch.  It was huge!  This place is covered in awesome rock features.  Saw some rock climbers on the way back to town and stopped by to watch.  They offered the chance to have a climb on their rope, so jumped at that offer (we brought harnesses and shoes with us but no rope)!!  Have been itching to get on the rock and climb.  Was awesome although found out afterwards it was only a grade 13, which is embarrassing as I found it a bit tricky in places.  Think my skills are a bit rusty.  Brent didn't climb that route but he got to practice belaying :-)  Went to the local brewery for a beer afterwards.  Nice.
Those in to mountain biking may have heard of 'Slickrock Trail' in Moab.  It's world famous!  Did that this morning in very hot temps...we were expecting a reasonably technical track but seemed pretty easy really, compared to other trails we've done.  (arrogant I know)  The only major challenge was the heat (and the distance) which was stifling and made it tiring on the climbs.  Even Brent found it difficult!  Great fun though and good to tick it off the list!  There's oodles of other riding here in the MTB mecca of Moab so we will be well entertained over the next few days.  Going canyoning on Sat as part of a group, and riding another famous slickrock trail tomorrow - Porcupine Rim!  We like Moab!!!


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3 comments:

  1. FrancisBJuly 8, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Wow.... that looks amazing. There's a Wave Rock like the one Brent is surfing over at Perth. All good at home in Squidney.

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  2. FrancisBJuly 8, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    You've been away a month today. How is the travelling going against the plan? Are you ahead, behind, on track? Will you have to skip some destinations or can you add a new place? And why isn't Brent writing any blog entries? Sorry - I'm just stirring!

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  3. emmabuttleJuly 8, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I think we are pretty much on track! Although having said that, we didn't have much of a plan in the first place. :-) Will be in Colorado from 11 July til the end of the month up at higher elevations, then off to Yellowstone and down to Nevada for Bonneville Speed Week in mid Aug. Then check out northern California -- the Sequoias and Tahoe etc... Well that's the plan at the mo! Brent says he will write the next entry........we'll see!!!

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