"FORCE RIDE"

I will be bringing a garmin v hardened and loaded with roads and rec maps for the moab and arches park area. I have a plated bike and may take a day trip to see some other areas than the slick rock area. I am used to exploring in places where I have never been before and feel comfortable going to the unknown in Utah. With the guys that I ride with we are completely self sufficient. between us we have most tools and parts with us for all but major repairs. I also have looked at some maps and sites that have recomendations as to difficulty level and after the first day I think we can sort ourselves into groups of skill and comfort levels. If any one else would like to load the maps on a garmin gps I will bring the cd with me if you have a laptop. Even if you don't load roads and rec bring your gps and you can make a track log to find your way back or just to help you find where you really are if you get turned around. I am also in the process of obtaining USGS 7 minute maps of the area.
If you guys want to pay a guide I'll be happy to go along for the ride but it's not in my budget.
The recomondations I would suggest to every one are:
1 Be honest as to your abilities, even for the beginner we will make loops that are for you . I'm not up for lifting and bulldoging my bike every day all day I will let the real hardcore guys do that. I can go almost anywhere but I'm here for fun not work.
2 BE PREPARED don't bring a rat bike and expect it to go 80 miles away from camp. bring an extra plug and extra clutch lever, Quick set epoxy, and masterlink.
3 Be able to fix your own flat tire on the trail. that means at least a 21" tube, tire irons, and air.
4 With all the Hindenbergs bring a tow rope.hahahahahahahaha. I have a harness made up that lets you tow from the center of the bike being towed and that makes rescues much easier.
5 Carry gas if you cant go 60 miles. A backpack will let you carry two quarts of gas and everything to spend the night out in somewhat comfort if all goes to ****. Water is a must.
6 Getting lost and finding new places is part of the ADVENTURE. Remember that is one of the reasons we ride dirt bikes. Your only lost when its dark, everyone is out of gas, and you have no idea where the turck is.

PS. 100oz camel back is minimum. you go through alot of water in the desert especially for those of you not from here. dehydrqate just sitting around in 20% humidity.

I heard from Dale (Elite Tours) today and was given a price of $500 for up to 6 riders. A little more than I thought it would be, but I figured it was an option worth looking into. If anyone is interested in getting a group together for one of these guided tours, let's talk.

He did warn me about Ranger Rick and how they like to write tickets for going off of the designated trails.

I agree with Taffy on the group sizes.

Spat, thanks for the information about Moab. Those of us who have not ridden in that environment need to know what to expect and prepare for it.

I'm just wanting to have some fun, not get hurt and put faces to the online names. It's not everyday I'll drive almost a 1000 miles to go off road riding.

Thanks,
Mike

$500 was a little more than I expected as well. I think some more research is needed. Perhaps we will not need a guide with all of the information available on the net. I appears most of us are somewhat savy desert riders. As stated, the most important things are knowing your limitations, staying hydrated and common sense.

Ken

$500 is actually a reduced rate. Typical rates are $250 to $350 per person with a bike and gear included.

$150 to $200 per person byob is the norm

There is alot of good info online to direct towards the riding areas.

I plan to go that route.

The riding is going to be secondary to the meeting each other and having dinners and drinks.

Interesting thing about Moab is that you can ride your dirt bike down Main Street and not get in trouble, but go 2 feet off the singletrack and they might impound your bike. Kinda cool. I think they have their priorities just about right. They know which side of their bread is buttered; as the saying goes.

re: and the aye's have it....

Not to make waves, but I agree w/Brian. I'm going first to meet everyone, and second to have a good time riding. I don't need a guide to make it a successful trip. 10 GPS' have to be able to get us out of a bind

I think it's up to the group as a whole. Maybe the better and more competitive riders would feel different.

thanks,
json

Risky1, you can ride with me if you want, although your ride is probably nicer than mine. I have an old Toyota Mennonite truck (it does not have a radio or power anything). So, I hope you are a good conversationalist, or do not mind long periods of silence.

I am not too crazy about paying a lot of money for tours. If it was around $75 or so, and we are going to see the best that the area has to offer, and the ride was around 150 or more miles, I could probably swing one day.

Sounds to me like Splat has the right idea's. Since he's been there, has maps, and some local knowledge, he will be my go to guy.

Taffy's right about the group sizes. One important thing to remember about a group of friends riding together, every person is responsible for the girl/guy behind them. IE, if the trail takes a turn it is your responsibility to make sure that the rider behind you makes the turn with you. I have seen this too many times where the last guy in line comes to a junction and there is no body around.

The water thing is a must as well, Bobzilla is right on track with the 100oz min. And remember, it's better to drink that water your carrying, than to "save" it.

I have no quams about my honestly stating my riding ability, I am a B level rider capable of making it around a National Hare & Hound course without too much trouble. The main reasons I'm going are to meet and ride with fellow Husaberg owners, and experience a new riding area, in the hopes that I can get my riding friends to get off their butt's and go riding in a new location.

My girlfriend who doesn't ride is coming with me so we can do a little sight seeing, and maybe see about coming back for a longer vacation. She and I spent a week in Anitmony UT where my Dad used to live last summer and had a great time fishing and hiking Bryce canyon.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Hey brendan, Well my "ride" does have a radio but it might have a tough time hauling the Bikes. The bike hauler... well er, um okay... toyota minivan ... don't laugh it has a v6 at least and tows well ) has to stay with the wife and kids. My "company" ride is a grand ol '04 ford taurus... I will however be able to expense all the fuel costs if we take it. i think it will tow two bikes okay, I have only ever towed mine with it on a light trailer, anyone out there have an opinion about that?

I am about 95% sure that I will be going, I got made (volunteered)scoutmaster about 3 weeks ago and the boys had a planned trip that weekend, i have enough dads signed up to go but if one backs out i will have to stay behind. I will give you a definitive answer by the 19th

DaleEO said:

Taffy's right about the group sizes. One important thing to remember about a group of friends riding together, every person is responsible for the girl/guy behind them. IE, if the trail takes a turn it is your responsibility to make sure that the rider behind you makes the turn with you. I have seen this too many times where the last guy in line comes to a junction and there is no body around.

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I ride sweep alot out here, as does berger. We both know that when there are 20 people in a group, the leaders will 'forget' about the 'caboose' and we always end up trying to figure out 'which way the fox went'. So we always ask the group to stop at each intersection and wait for everyone. Don't worry, there are very few intersections and they are far apart (literally miles apart). We can also pre arrainge what intersections will be a rest stop to give the stragglers a chance to rest. Ever notice that #15 in a group nevers gets to rest because by the time he arrives, the leaders have rested for 5 or 10 minutes and they take off as soon as he arrives?

My girlfriend who doesn't ride is coming with me so we can do a little sight seeing, and maybe see about coming back for a longer vacation.

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My wife can't ride, so she will also be sight seeing those days. She drops us off, goes sight seeing, then brings us gas and lunch and then she goes sight seeing again. Works out great. Bring the non riding spouses with you, they will have a good time.

risky1 said:

....... i have enough dads signed up to go but if one backs out i will have to stay behind. I will give you a definitive answer by the 19th

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Before cancelling, please have your wife double check your math :wink:

:lol:

again.

For the benefit of people that didn't get the last post (it was in jest), here is the history of risky's math:

risky1 said:

believe me I would go in a heart beat. infact initially I had stated I was going, then I remembered.... if I want to stay married, I had better make sure I am around when the kid is born.. due date March 1, 2005 ...

STOP THE PRESSES!!! This evening I told my wife that I was going to attend next year because it looks like such a good time.. She says "Tell me again why you are not going this year?" I said "DUH you will have JUST had a baby" she looked at me like I was from another planet and said "do your math again sherlock" ... ARGHHHHH

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All in good fun Risky1 :wink:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

YES! i have been known to be a bit scatter brained sometimes--three boys and a fourth on the way has made my mind mushy with thoughts of "what the hell did i get myself into.... :shock: " my wife says i have half-hiemers (as opposed to alzhiemers)

This time though I think i have it worked out correctly...

Hi Splatt:

Do you have any easy trail reccomondations? My wife and son won't be able to do anything like the famous Slick Rock Bike Trail. My wife has a quad so it would probably need to be an easy jeep trail. I am doing my research now to try to make it fun for the whole family.

Thanks,

Eric

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I put on a trail ride here every year and it ends up being somewhere between 20 30 people and we generally break it down into two groups. Fast and all others. Funny how the second day there are a lot more "all others". We make every one have a "buddy" just like in first grade, and the wait at the corner rule is in effect. With all the buddies it is easy to figure out who didn't wait and screwed the rest of the pack so the impatient party has a fine levied , usually at least one round at the bar that night. That seems to stop the " where did every body go " problem. In Moab I don't see us being pressed for time like we need to cover 300 miles before dark so I think every one will get to rest and we wont have #15 whipped by lunch.
:idea:
Oh yeah I almost forgot :wink: Bring your walletts boys cause while donations are always needed this time I am bringing a roundtrip ticket anywhere Alaska airlines flys to be auctioned off for a donation. That way the donation gets made and you get something else for your money. Check out the web site and Im sure they go someplace you want to go.
Cant wait

husabutt said:

Hi Splatt:

Do you have any easy trail reccomondations? My wife and son won't be able to do anything like the famous Slick Rock Bike Trail. My wife has a quad so it would probably need to be an easy jeep trail. I am doing my research now to try to make it fun for the whole family.

Thanks,

Eric

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Ironically, the Soveriegn Singletrack Trail System has a really good ATV trail network. All the places that we rode last Labor Day had ATV trails that started and stopped at the same end points as the singletrack. The ATV trails sort of paralleled the singetrack or looped around the singletrack.

The maps of East Moab and West Moab clearly show Jeep, ATV, and singletrack trails.

How old is your son?

My son, Joshua, was 7 and he had alot of fun riding there.

He is 11 and has a YZ 85. I geared it down a lot and put a flywheel weight on it. He is just starting to get the hang of it. Hills are not his strong point.

Do you have a map brand recommendation that I could order?

The Sovereign Trail System seems like a perfect place for an easy ATV ride while still getting the feel of Moab. The singletrack trail loop is only 13 miles so we know that the Bergs won't run out of gas .

Any body bringing a computer with? Here is a link to some gps download able tracklogs. offroadguides.com
A lot of theses look like jeep trails but that may be the ticket for some easy warm up loops and for the more sedate who want to view scenery and have a more relaxed ride. if you want I can load a couple on my gps and lead a couple of slow easy rides but my garmin v only has 19 mb of storage I have poison spyder mesa loaded as a track log and behind the wall also. I think the poison spider mesa is an A or B level trail or maybe C if you keep to a slow pace and take breaks. Of course sombody who has been there knows better than me , I am only going off the ratings I have heard about over different web sites.
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