View Full Version : Moab Slickrock bike trail
Sombeech
08-31-2005, 02:12 PM
Well, somebody's got to post about it. This is arguably the most famous mtn bike trail in the world, and we've got to put some pictures up about it.
Here's a couple of mine. Show us your Slickrock pics!
eddy1911
08-31-2005, 04:49 PM
We did this trail last year and for us it wasn't that fun. It was hot, and it seemed like the trail went super steep up or super steep down. When we finished, we were just glad made it and didn't get hurt. We did more walking that I prefer when it comes to riding.
How have other people's experiences been with this trail?
Eddy
Sombeech
08-31-2005, 05:23 PM
That sucks man. I've done it a couple of times, and I enjoyed it.
The time of day/year can have a big effect on the experience. I usually hit it in the Spring.
It's been a few years, but I think it's 13 miles round trip? If you've got the right tires for slickrock, that can make a big difference. I did some walking too, on the steep climbs, but I enjoyed it.
fourtycal
08-31-2005, 07:13 PM
This is my favorite trail of all time. I Rode it the first time in 1991 with a no suspension Diamondback Sorento. I probably rode Slickrock with that bike 20 times in seven years(I can't believe that bike didn't rattle apart), since then I have been to moab a few times every year (last weekend was the latest) and almost always make time for slickrock. I have taken the trail many times on a dirtbike as well but I still love to pedal it!
Sombeech
08-31-2005, 09:45 PM
That's a cool shot
http://uutah.com/forum/files/p9270012.jpg
I hit this trail every year in April & the weather is absolutely perfect each time. My best ride on Slickrock was when I had slicks on my bike. The ride was super smooth & the tires stuck to the rock like glue on the climbs.
The full size topo & elevation profile is here: http://www.mikepearce.us/Moab_05/large/slickrock.gif
accadacca
09-01-2005, 09:01 AM
Someone managed to run over a lizard
Poor bastage...... :lol8:
Awesome! Great photos! You know I've never ridden in Moab? Maybe for Thanksgiving...
Ok I have to ask. How do you ride in a cotton Tshrit and jeans shorts? I mean, don't you get drenched with sweat and jeans, they have to be uncomfortable! I'm not saying you need to wear full on spandex lycra, but there are better sweat wicking-athletic materials out there, no?
accadacca
09-01-2005, 10:34 AM
Ok I have to ask. How do you ride in a cotton Tshrit and jeans shorts? I mean, don't you get drenched with sweat and jeans, they have to be uncomfortable! I'm not saying you need to wear full on spandex lycra, but there are better sweat wicking-athletic materials out there, no?
I think that may have been the maiden voyage of the Klein and Sombeech. Plus we are old school. :lol8: When I started riding this is what you wore. Isn't vintage coming back in style anyway. :ne_nau: :haha: Who are those skinny guys......... :roflol:
Yeah, denim shorts & t-shirts were all the rage down there back in the day. I must confess that my first ride on Slickrock was like that, and on a steel clunker to boot, that was back in 94. I'm glad mtn biking apparel & rides have come of age.
Sombeech posted a pic of that little half pipe like section just below where the trail splits into the loop -- that's one of my favorite sections of the trail. There's so much of it that's good though. There are about a dozen climbs I love to go all out on. Testosterone Hill is one of those. It's the last steep climb before you enter that half pipe area. It's hard to single stuff out though when so much of it is good riding.
Udink
09-01-2005, 11:59 AM
Yeah, denim shorts & t-shirts were all the rage down there back in the day. I must confess that my first ride on Slickrock was like that, and on a steel clunker to boot, that was back in 94. I'm glad mtn biking apparel & rides have come of age.
I'm not huge into mountain biking, but that's still my choice of clothing, and my bike's not much better (a 10-year old Mtn Tek Traverse). Sounds as though if I went to Moab now, I'd get laughed off the trail. :haha: That's also why you'll probably never see me doing a group ride with PASS, for example. What do you guys wear those helmet things for anyway? :ride:
You'll see guys wearing the whole gamut of clothing down in Moab, so I wouldn't hesitate to wear whatever your most comfortable riding in if you do go. I personally can't stomach the retail prices on bike clothing, and I wouldn't own a single piece of it if I couldn't get a deal through work, and even then half the stuff I wear wasn't designed for riding, but it works for me. I was just saying before that I'm glad there's more comfortable & advanced fabrics out there than cotton to ride in nowadays.
I like my wicky wicky clothes. Padded shorts are a must for me. I only own 2 bike shorts and 2 bike shirts; they are pricey, but I look for deals. I scoff at paying $30 for a pair of jeans, but for bike shorts that's a deal to me!
I don't think I could go back to Tshirts and shorts for biking or hiking!
Sombeech
09-01-2005, 02:00 PM
I don't wear denim any more. That was back when I was starting out, and I thought I could use some "protection". I'll just wear gym shorts now.
As for the cotton tees, I love 'em. Yeah, I get drenched, but it sure keeps me cool. :afro:
TreeHugger
09-01-2005, 02:54 PM
I have a love/hate relationship with Slickrock. I mostly love it, but always feel like it's just plain a lot of WORK!! It's definately not a cushy little cruiser ride. What I really love about it is that you quickly learn that you can ride stuff you never thought was possible! It's pretty cool.
The first time I rode it was the second time I used clipless pedals!! I had a pretty classic crash - riding up a steep and I stalled, you know, not enough power to keep going... well, I couldnt unclip fast enough, and fell over backward and tumbled down the hill - bike and all - and landed right in a patch of cactus - adding insult to injury! haha!! That was great!!
The picture I posted on the general forum - "Posting pics" thread was taken there - I'll post a couple more when I get to my home computer.
derstuka
09-01-2005, 03:28 PM
Ok, I guess it's my turn. These are from May - 2005. I just had to add the Arches rock formation because I think it is hilarious! :haha:
accadacca
09-01-2005, 03:31 PM
I have a love/hate relationship with Slickrock.
I think we all have a story like that with slick rock. It can be technical and in many sections you really have to stay on your toes. Being clipped in doesn't help the equation. Makes for some good stories tho.....:cripple:
Sombeech
09-01-2005, 04:15 PM
http://uutah.com/forum/files/dsc01509resized.jpg
Great picture. It's one of those that people think is "photoshopped" or fabricated, but I've seen that rock too.
I was driving, and yes that's in Arches Ntl Pk, and my friend turns around and says, "OMG, that rock back there looked like a giant pe*is!!"
Pretty funny.
The first time I rode it was the second time I used clipless pedals!! I had a pretty classic crash
Yeah, me too. I was climbing, but actually spun out. I slid down the hill on my side, elbow, and knee. The bike stayed safe though.
TreeHugger
09-01-2005, 04:53 PM
OK, here are a few pics:
Sombeech
09-01-2005, 04:57 PM
http://uutah.com/forum/files/rich-on-slickrock1.jpg
Hey, is that a Klein?
.
accadacca
09-01-2005, 05:25 PM
Hey, is that a Klein?
Nope...You can tell by the "HeadShok" on the headset that it is a Cannondale. SWEET ride! The colors are similar to a Klein. :nod:
Sombeech
09-01-2005, 05:26 PM
Oh, ok, now I see the shock casing right above the fork.
fourtycal
09-01-2005, 06:46 PM
That's also why you'll probably never see me doing a group ride with PASS, for example.
You have PASS mixed up with someone else! They ride for fun, few gearheads here! :ne_nau:
derstuka
09-01-2005, 09:23 PM
http://uutah.com/forum/files/dsc01509resized.jpg
Great picture. It's one of those that people think is "photoshopped" or fabricated, but I've seen that rock too.
I was driving, and yes that's in Arches Ntl Pk, and my friend turns around and says, "OMG, that rock back there looked like a giant pe*is!!"
Pretty funny.
I saw that rock in an e-mail before, but I never new where it was. I start laughing out loud when I saw it. It was great!
When I worked down there a couple years ago I was taking a client who was a pharmacist through there and he dubbed it Viagra Rock. My friends call it pennis rock. I wonder if the NPS has an official name for it.
TreeHugger
09-02-2005, 05:59 AM
yep, it's a Cannondale.
What's PASS?
Mtnbiker
09-02-2005, 07:05 AM
I have just a few pics here at work. nothin special, but my contribution :)
fourtycal
09-02-2005, 07:29 AM
What's PASS?
passutah.com, just some mountainbikers in price that get together and ride. There is an open invitation. I went once and had a blast. They have some awsome trails there. nearly everything is rideable right from town!
TreeHugger
09-02-2005, 10:48 AM
I dont even know where Price is!! :shock:
Udink
09-02-2005, 10:54 AM
I dont even know where Price is!! :shock:
If you've been to Moab from the Salt Lake City or Provo areas, then you likely passed Price on your way there (between Spanish Fork and Green River).
Sombeech
09-02-2005, 01:31 PM
http://uutah.com/forum/files/image0043.jpg
Great campsite. I've been in that exact spot about 4 times. Don't worry, I use the proper latrines each time! :hurryup:
To answer Treehugger's comment, Price is maybe 50 miles northwest of Moab. Most of us Northern Utah residents will make Price the last Gas Station Stop before Moab. At the moment, Fuzzy will get back to us with some of the trails down there so we can throw 'em in the Trail Index.
TreeHugger
09-02-2005, 01:36 PM
OH YEAh...... (duh!) I knew that.
theprof
09-07-2005, 09:19 AM
I think Slickrock is one of those trails that can be whatever you want it to be....... if you always follow the little white stripes, then ya - it can be a bit mundane. The best part for me is just looking around & finding things to ride up/over/off. One of the few trails you can do that kind of thing on and not feel like you're destroying anything... except your tires!
Speaking of that - MROY - you got new knobbies (even with the hair) on that picture of you with the trailkill lizard..... what you thinkin'????? This is one trail I save my crappy old tires for!!! :haha:
I've got to believe that it's one of the most unique trails in the world - I've seen some similarities for short sections on other trails outside the Moab area, but nothing that is almost pure rock for the whole ride.
greyhair biker
10-04-2005, 08:53 PM
Slickrock is a must for me every year. I take fourtycal & some guys during Jeep Safari and memorial day week & hit everything possible. This year I rode my Rocky Mountain RM9 on the trail...Marzocchi shiver(200mm) fox float rear ,2.5 fr,2.7rear,9"hayes discs,26"fr,24" rear. People thought I was nuts but I had a BALL :lol8: Last year we rode it on our dirt bikes and got lots of funny looks but I've ridden this for years and need some variety once in a while
accadacca
10-04-2005, 09:05 PM
Last year we rode it on our dirt bikes and got lots of funny looks but I've ridden this for years and need some variety once in a while
Hey nothing wrong with a handgrip that you can twist. Definitely a good choice of variety in my book. :naughty:
Sombeech
10-04-2005, 10:23 PM
I second that notion, even though I'm not a dirt bike rider (yet).
I saw a guy coming down lion's back on one. He almost lost it when his front tire went into a little crack coming down, and he couldn't steer out of it. We all heard him scream clear from the bottom.
greyhair biker
10-06-2005, 04:37 PM
just some of my pics of Slickrock :2thumbs:
greyhair biker
10-06-2005, 04:41 PM
last one..
greyhair biker
10-21-2005, 08:53 PM
Okay..I found some more and these are all of them. :haha:
accadacca
10-22-2005, 08:03 AM
ordering pizza on Slickrock
Nice..... :lol8:
Sombeech
10-22-2005, 09:24 AM
http://uutah.com/forum/files/ordering_pizza_on_slickrock.jpg
Ha! That's great. Was it ready when you were done?
Did they deliver it to the slickrock parking lot? :lol8:
That'd be great. I don't see why a pizza place couldn't deliver there. It's only a mile outside of the town.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.