Fall activity: Mountain biking Moab, Utah

September 28, 7:01 PMMinneapolis Outdoor Recreation ExaminerMarie Malinowski

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Image source: http://www.bicycling.com/moab/1.jpg

Twenty-some years ago, Moab, Utah was a mining town, decaying in the desert. Today, it’s the Mecca of mountain biking and rightly so.

Its gorgeous slickrock (a.k.a sandstone), sand, gravel, rock, ledges, doubletrack, singletrack, and cache of bike shops, restaurants, and microbreweries attract enthusiasts from all over the world to test their mettle on trails with not a whole lot of room for error.

To say that you’ve ridden Moab incites admiration and immediate kinship from the riders who have been there, and outright jealousy and curiosity from the ones who have yet to go.

I’ve showcased some of the more popular rides that I’ve ridden over the years, but certainly not all the trails. I’m by no means suggesting that you limit yourself to only these trails--that would be a tradegy:

Moab Rim Trail: An incredibly sick lung-busting climb that gains about 1,000 feet in the first mile. The downhill section is worth the climb.

Poison Spider Mesa: An expert-biker only trail that grinds over steep slickrock, some doubletrack, and by towering sandstone cliffs along the Colorado River.

Porcupine Rim Trail: A full-suspension bike and exceptional bike-handling skills is recommended for this trail. You’ll gain about 1,000 feet in elevation but have stellar views of the spires of Castle Valley. Great downhill action on this trail.

Slickrock Trail: This world-famous trail has a high technical and aerobic difficulty but the breathtaking views of the Colorado River are well worth it—once you catch your breath.

White Rim Trail (multi-day): If an epic, multi-day ride is what you’re after, White Rim offers a 103-mile loop on a jeep road through Canyonlands National Park. You will need support on this ride.

To avoid the searing hot summers and gusty-cold winters, the best time to ride Moab is mid-March through May and from September to mid-November. Check out all the trails in Moab.

If you go:

• Bring a full bike repair kit with several spare tubes, a pump, patch kit, spoke wrench and chain tool. These trails are remote and riders have been known to walk many miles lugging their broken bikes. 
• If you don’t bring your own bike to Moab, rent one at one of Moab's bike shops such as Rim Cyclery, Poison Spider Bicycles, and Moab Cyclery. Reserve your bike ahead of time to be sure you get what you want.
• Ride early morning or late evening for the best and most bearable temperatures.
• Fill a 100-ounce hydration pack and take an extra water bottle or two on your bike. Moab is hot and dry even in the mildest weather.
• Sunscreen! Bring it.
• Thoroughly review all the bike trails of Moab at http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/ to make the most of your trip.

If you plan only one mountain bike adventure in your life, make it Moab, Utah.