Proposed Rides

Allright - I am somehow getting the impression that asking everybody to pick out the rides they wanna do in Moab is a lot like asking your Wife/Girlfriend where she wants to eat tonight.  Nobody ever has an answer until you propose someplace first and they say..."No, I don't wanna go there.  Let's go ....." 

So I'm gonna make the first move.  I am sure you all have been reading the trail reviews online.  I picked out the ones that are most reccommended.  If anybody would like to propose an alternative, feel free to dive right in here...

Dead Horse Point State Park -  Very Flat, with some slickrock sections and fantastic views.  Total ride is 8 miles.  Take your camera, this place has some fantastic views.  It is at 6000 feet altitude, but the flat trails combined with cooler weather should be an ideal ride to acclimate ourselves to the elevation.  Dead Horse State park is located on the road to The Islands in the Sky district of Canyonlands.  A short morning ride at the park and a drive on over to Canyonlands may be a good way to start our trip.  John: We'll wanna pack a cooler for this trip, we wouldn't pass a bar after our ride.
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/dead-horse-pt.htm
http://www.discovermoab.com/dhp/index.htm

Bartlett Wash - This is a great way to spend a couple of hours on Slickrock and learning some new skills.  Bartlett Wash is a virtual playground with bowls and ledges and jump galore.  Round trip is 4 miles plus all the little diversions along the way.  This would be a good stop for an afternoon ride after hiking or riding a shorter trail in the morning.
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/bartlett.htm

Poison Spider & Portal Trail - This is as extreme as Moab gets - "Death on the Left" has a serious meaning here.  But first, Poison Spider has a fairly serious 1000' climb at the start and it doesn't get any easier after the climb.  8.2 miles of grinding over petrified sand dunes later, and you reach the Portal Trail.  The Portal Trail is not safe to ride completely.  There will be sections you have to walk.  After the cliff edge section of the trail is completed, we'll bomb downhill to the road and ride the road back to the van.
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/poisonsp.htm

The Whole Enchilada - If you don't know anything about it just see last weeks post.  I'm riding it - even if I have to shave my legs and wear spandex and ride with real men!  Uh, ......wait, that didn't come out like I expected...........

Upper and Lower Porcupine - If you aren't gonna do the Whole Enchilada, this is the best part of the enchilada - the gooey, tasty cheese sauce.  If all goes well, we may be able to do this one more than once while we're in town.
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/porcupST.htm

Allright Dudes - I've shown you mine..... Anybody want to propose any other trips?


***JOHN'S ADDITIIONS (in pink of course)***

Slick Rock Trail - This is the world-famous Slickrock Trail near Moab, Utah. This 10.6 mile loop twists and rolls through Navajo sandstone to a breathtaking view over the Colorado River. The Slickrock Trail is rated high technical difficulty and high aerobic requirement. But many MANY "not-very-good" bikers ride this trail, with a few short hikes over the tough spots. I wasn't sure why this wasn't on your post, must have been an oversight or maybe it was just "assumed".

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/slickrck.htm

Moab Brand Trails - The "Brand Trails" are a network of trails a few miles north of Moab. The trail names are based on cattle brands and spell out M-o-a-b. The easy Bar M trail forms a loop from which the other trails can be reached. Bar M is the only trail suitable for beginners. The others require good shifting skill, bike handling ability, and leg power. For experts, there's the "Killer B" descent off the Bar B loop. Looks like you can connect up a nice loop.
http://utahmountainbiking.com/trails/brand-trails.htm