Moab Better Blues (And Reds)
Our BFF and favorite ‘I-have-seven-passports’ Euro recently returned from a little bike trip to Moab. After he finished describing the trip it sounded so damn cool we just had to ask him to write it up. In English.
Here it is:
Two weeks ago I jetted off to Moab, Utah for a week of epic mountain biking. Let’s call it my little reward for leaving my job and saying goodbye to the world of finance. I wanted to get as far away as possible from the world of trade confirms and cash reconciliations. The stark, dramatic scenery of Moab seemed to be the ultimate antithesis.
Not being much of a mountain bike guru, I was a bit lacking in the equipment department. Naturally I stopped by NYC Velo to prepare for the week-long martian roller coaster ride I was about to embark on:
Jupiter
If I was going to be spending a week among the mesas and buttes of Moab, I wanted to do it in style. Hence these totally bitchin’ Oakley Jupiters. Red rock calls for red sunglasses.
Gore Full-fingered gloves:
As a roadie, I was was entirely unfamiliar with MTB gloves. Since this trip would entail bombing over rocks and boulders, I figured it would be a wise choice to pick up some full-fingered gloves. This pair from Gore did the trick and provided me with enough grip to endure the white knuckled-ridonkculousness that ensued:
I also have to take a moment to touch on the bikes we used on this trip. We rented some 2010 Kona Dawg Deluxes:
These all-mountain behemoths have six inches of travel; front AND rear. That allows you to do some pretty ill-advised stuff while ripping down the porcupine rim at 30mph. They’re stable, built like tanks, and beg you to jump off of ledges and rip some sweet jumps. I may order one from the shop now that I’m back (how convenient – they’re a dealer!)
If you’re thinking of going on a MTB trip, stop right now and book your flight to Moab. The scenery is stunning, the riding is epic, and it’ll challenge you regardless of your skill level. Here are the must-ride trails: Slickrock, Amasa Back, Porcupine Rim, Dead Horse Trail, and Bartlett Wash.
And be sure to check out the fish tacos at Miguel’s. Killer.