All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I thought hard about keeping the hardtail, but at the end of the day I wanted my buddy to have a nice bike. I’ve never been a person to have a quiver of anything. Skis or bikes. I find one that fits the bill for most stuff I do and ride it hard. Never been stopped yet. I’m dumb enough that I’ll ride any bike anywhere and all the body damage I’ve accrued over the years shows it

 

Interesting, mtb project has a pic of a pretty solid bridge over some dead trees, looks like a good time haha

I usually don’t either but I feel like I’d miss the stache too much

 

Yea, I have a friend with family there and was visiting this weekend. I was gonna ask him what it's like when he gets back tomorrow.

Moonlight meadows is a good time and stays cool in the summer. You can also ride some of the slick rock trails real early, but I wouldn't wanna be out on any of the Moab classics after 10-11am in the summer. One my buddies used to go down mid-summer and ride at sunrise, then go to the movie theater, then ride again at sunset.

 

Damn i love that green!!! Also team Yeti!!!

 

Unfortunately, it's way too hot in July/August to ride anything but the highest elevations at MOAB later than 10am. I definitely wish that wasn't the case.

 

LOL, yeah, that's the real challenge on this trip -- arriving in one piece!

Luckily, I'm going out to be an instructor this time around, rather than student. Hopefully less pressure and stress...and no PT test.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas! I'm copying all of the suggestions into a set of notes and adjusting a few things. Once I finalize dates/times/places, I'll post it and try to get with some of you during the trip.

 

And you miss the annual "Tarantula Migration" that starts in September.

 

Pinhoti is def worth a visit!

 

Whats your favorite rear tire on your trail bike?

Man, the YT Izzo looks so nice! Just wish i could test ride one.

 

Good news for you is that Huachuca actually has some good trails nearby too!

I'm planning a trip to Bentonville in October to meet my brother halfway between each of us...I'm no help there.
Tennessee... no help there either.

Colorado....lots of opinions on this one and others comments. Fruita is amazing but you are going to want alpine riding at that time of the year. As soon as you enter Colorado, dip SW towards Colorado Springs. Head west out of Colorado Springs and go ride the Monarch Crest Trail or maybe something in Crested Butte. Tons of camping around there. From there I would head to Durango. There are tons of trails around town so you really just have to pick what you want. I know of a few campgrounds in vicinity that you pay for and some you don't need to. The next riding destination I would hit from there is probably Flagstaff. Not so sure on camping around Flagstaff, day two drive into Sedona early morning and just pick a trail but be done by 10 am.

 

The heat down at Huachuca is going to be killer in July, but I'm still planning to enjoy some of the trails in that area. Southern AZ has been my stomping grounds (on foot) for many years, so I'm looking forward to seeing many of the same trails from the saddle of my bikes. I've done Brown Canyon on a rental, but it will be extra sweet to have two of my own bikes with me for a change. If free time permits, I'll probably even do a few overnight bikepacking trips while I'm there. Pretty stoked!

Great info on CO, thank you! Choosing just one trail to enjoy there is going to be extremely tough -- so much so that I may just end up hitting CO again on my return trip to see a second or third option.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

Here is one to get your bikepacking juices flowing: https://bikepacking.com/routes/tombstone-hustle-bikepacking-cochise-and-the-dragoons/

Of course there is always the AZ trail too.

Brown Canyon is awesome, Ramsey Canyon to Carr Canyon is the best on a mountain bike.

 

Small correction: Brown Canyon is where I rode my rental last year, not Black. Great downhill payoff after a moderate climb. good times!

I've also been all through Carr, Ramsey, and Brown canyons on foot many times.

Thank you for the Tombstone route info! Checking it out now.

 

Thoughts on the 2021 Specialized Rockhopper comp (with 29's)?

Also, if you are going through AR, have you looked up places in Hot Springs?

 

Besides Bentonville, I honestly have no idea where else to look for trails in Arkansas. Is there anything near Hot Springs that you'd rate higher than what's available at Bentonville?

 

Ouachita National Forest? I have zero experience in AR yet, but I know of places friends have mentioned.

Rattlesnake Ridge

I cant tell you how "good" they are, but just more options if you're coming through this way.

 

The Ouachita's are much more remote feeling that what you are going to experience in Bentonville. That can be good or bad depending on what you are looking for. They also have many more camping opportunities than in Bentonville from my initial recon of my planned trip to Bentonville. Coler Mountain Bike preserve in Bentonville may have some places to camp but their website seems like it needs a refresh.

 

Currently leaning toward either Coler Mountain Bike preserve or the "Back 40 Loop" that is north of town. The only problem with researching all of the options is that it reinforces the fact that I'd really need a year-long vacation to properly appreciate everything these mtb destinations have to offer. Maybe someday...

 

Lemme tell you, awning and a fridge makes for a hell of a great post ride hangout spot. Good friends, dogs, bikes, whats not to love?

 

You’ve got a sweet setup! Always loved your truck!