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

Welp, I'm now Taco-less. We've moved on to a Transit Van that fits the family better. I'm super stoked about it, but also quite sad to see the truck go. Perhaps we'll get back to a Taco when the kids are older and don't want to camp with us...

Van pics!

 

Yup, 2nd time using the Durango huts, did the Tellurude huts 2 yrs ago. Pretty slick setup.

 

Dont leave the thread homie!

 

Welcome to the dark side. I love how well they drive, the cruise control actually keeps speed!

Can you tell us more? Like how many people you ride across, difficulty level, multiple parties in a hut, or most important the booze situation?

 

Oh, I'll definitely stick around to talk bikes and Tacos (and Vans).

The van really does drive great! I love the seating position too.

I don't have first hand experience with the huts, but... https://sanjuanhuts.com/mtb/mountain-bike-trips

 

looks sick man! I was actually looking at vans this morning haha

 

No one cares because vans and sick multi days trips out west are way cooler (my opinion, perhaps not everyone’s), but another new bike drop.

Updated Trek Fuel EX. No info on their main site yet, but longer travel/slacker/angle adjust headset/suspension progression adjust/frame storage on all models/mullet ready to name a few changes.

edit: PB publication
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-treks-new-fuel-ex-has-more-travel-and-more-adjustments.html

 

I was very confused when I clicked the ad on pinkbike and saw the same bike as usual. It looks like they have the first look up now haha

edit: looks like they are beefing it up a bit too! 140/150mm of travel is a big change for that bike that has always been 120-130 in the rear

 

Haha I actually just realized it was on PB. I got an email from Trek about it.

I dig the knew look, and the mullet option.

 

I got a ghost edit in, it looks pretty sweet though.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/first-look-treks-new-fuel-ex-has-more-travel-and-more-adjustments.html

 

Picked up a Fox Proframe full face helmet during their Labor Day sale.

 

Sweet rig and enough options to make everyone happy. Everyone will be happy right? : )

 

Glad to, I'll share high level deets but feel free to ask specifics or PM for details.

Durango huts route is more difficult, way more scenic, more creeks/lakes/water, more remote. Also my clear preference hence doing that one twice. See people on occasion using FS roads, gravel roads, hikers when near trailheads, people on horseback, MTBs when dropping into Moab, but there are days you see no one else. Telluride huts routes are not easy by any stretch but comparatively less difficult. Both hut options offer alternative routes on most days and with some planning/knowledge you can add to the routes they offer pretty easily if you've got the itch to do a little more, especially with the Telluride huts.

I've only done it by filling up the huts with 8 people in my group. There was the time someone bailed on day 2 cuz they were in over their head but that just gave the rest of us more room. I've heard some interesting stories about mixed groups. I don't think I'd roll the dice and mix with another group/individuals. San Juan likes to fill them with a single group so a group of 8 goes for the price of 6, so even if you only really have 6 put down two spouses on the roster to keep those 2 spots reserved and just roll with 6.

Huts are stocked with water in jugs, food items (mostly non-perishables but some produce, eggs, cheese, bacon), propane stove to cook, wood stove for heat, and if you choose the option (extra $$) beer too in all except the last hut which is the only one in UT. They used to have beer there but that changed this year, not sure why but that's the way it is.

IMO the most overlooked or under appreciated aspect of this is the people you're with. Lots of hard days, hard miles, obstacles to overcome. It helps if they've got a little grit to them and don't mind some suffering/discomfort. You learn a lot about a person when they're climbing 5K over 20 miles on a loaded bike after 5 days of hard riding in their legs.

 

@evenslower

Man, I would love to do this trip someday! I have all the info that you get prior to riding. On MTB.com, someone was looking for a few more to ride with and I was interested but didn’t go. But he sent me the info and man does it look like a killer trip!

I love the MTB and love bikepacking - so it would be such a cool experience to do!

Thanks for sharing your experience! And if you have more photos, or video that you host somewhere, please share! Would love to see how the trip looked.

 

Hell yea dude! That thing is rad! Does it have a bathroom in it too?

 

Well, would you look at that!

Congrats on the new ride.

 

I see what you’ve done there…OP

 

Thanks! There's no bathroom or shower or built-in stove. It's a pretty modest build by #vanlife standards; there's a sink with 14 gallons of fresh water, gray water drains out the bottom, gas-fed heater system, and pretty simple electrical system for charging phones, lights, and running the fridge. Most importantly, there are two queen size beds, seat belts for five, and a very stout 4x4 conversion by Quadvan.

hahaha, I'm honored to have such influence!

 

#Influencer #Athlete

 

Go find Callen and his Silverado. I'll give OP status back