Super 8

Wendy Palmer, Rider.  Cullen Barker, Photographer

How did the Super 8 acquire it's name?  We were scouting the drop that is in the location referred to as the 'Super 8' on the Amasa Back Trail.  The Chile Pepper Bike Shop did trail work to improve one of the drops in this area for the race they held during their annual Ho-Down celebration over Halloween.  The drop is in great condition!! 



My friends and I each had a theory about why it is called the 'Super 8.'

1. The way the trail winds around in different directions (in the shape of an 8).
2.  The height of one of the drops (8 feet).
3.  The number of drops in this area (8 drops).
4.  The number of mountain peaks you can see from this vantage point (8 peaks).

What is your theory?  Or, did you name it?  Know the person that did?  Comment on this post and satisfy our curiosity. . .or inspire us with your creativity.

Fox Racing Shox

A few years ago I had the opportunity to hear the owner of Fox Racing Shox talk about how he got started in the business & how it evolved over time.

Bob Fox was racing dirt bikes and playing poker for a living.  He designed an air shock in his garage - it was great on big jumps but not great on small jumps.  Later he developed a new shock with two adjustable air shocks - one that you could bottom out for the big jumps and one with low pressure for the small jumps.  Fox Racing Shox started winning races & it created such a high demand that the shox weren't available for people that wanted them. 

At one point they were struggling so hard to make money that when Mario Andretti, the famous race car driver, called to order a shock they made him pay for it.

In 1987, entered the snowmobile market when a customer requested the product be made custom.

In 1992, entered the mountain bike shock business.  They didn't enter the mountain bike fork business until 2000. 

The underlying motivation for Fox Racing Shox has always been to be the BEST.  They have taken what they love to do and become really good at it!

Learn more:  http://www.foxracingshox.com/company

Impressive Sportsmanship

This morning there was a really cool race at the Amasa Back trail in Moab called the Suffer & Send It race put on by the Chile Pepper Bike Shop.  There were two portions of the race and a lot of people did both.  The first portion was a race to the top of the false summit -- so. . .mostly uphill & technical.  The second portion was a chainless descent from the finish of the climb down to the creek crossing. 

I volunteered to be a Course Marshall & found out I would be blocking one of the most popular lines by mountain bikers on this trail.  I decided I better look as official as possible.  I located my pink cowboy hat with the sheriff's badge and sequined trim and set out to my station on the trail.  The first riders came thru launching off the drop at the bottom of the staircase. 

It was no surprise to me that my friend, Kyle Mears, was leading the pack.  He wins most races in Moab with his incredible fitness & grace.  Well he zipped right by me as I shouted, "Stay Right, Mr. Mears."  He was racing & likely wondering what in the world I was talking about.  I started telling him he was going the wrong way and he was like, "what?"  The next fella got in my face a little as I told him this was not the way.  Seriously, didn't he notice my badge?  

Fortunately, the rest of the riders stayed on course, and it was only a few moments later that I saw Kyle pedaling back up the trail to get back on course.  He was very apologetic and had the other racer in tow.  I was very impressed because, although he is very fit, I knew it would be challenging for him to get back to the front of the pack.  What an excellent display of sportsmanship! 

There were several other local riders on the course:

Whit Richardson

Bjorn representing Poison Spider Bicycles

Andy Platt

Jenna Woodbury

Gina Jane

Looking for Inspiration

I'm reluctantly admitting on my blog that I haven't been very inspired to ride lately.  My 13 year old nephew was here a few weeks ago and I was inspired then.  We rode the local dirt jumps every day that he was here and it was a blast!  Since then I've been begging my yoga friends to call me to ride.  Yoga is taking over my life - in a good way but I don't want to give up my other love, my mountain bike. 

I think I found the inspiration I've been looking for this past weekend.  We had friends visiting from the Wasatch.  Friends of friends and new friends and one new friend in particular that could pedal uphill like it was her job.  Whether it was being off the back on a local trail or getting the puke in the mouth taste at one point - I'm not sure. . .maybe both - but I want to ride my bike more. 

See you in the morning Pipe Dream.

Sovereign Singletrack ~ Share it!

Although mountain biking helped put Moab on the map most of the trails we ride were not originally designed or built with mountain bikers in mind.  A lot of the traditional Moab trails are old Uranium mining roads, ranching roads, or otherwise.  It hasn't been until the last few years that there has been a concerted effort to build trails with mountain bikes in mind. 

Many of the trails in Moab are shared with Jeeps, OHVs, hikers, and occasionaly equestrians.  Wondering what the etitquette is for shared trail use?  You can check out the sign on the right used for non-motorized trails.   It could be added that motorized traffic yields to all other trail users. 

For example, on the Sovereign Trail today we encountered several dirt bike riders.  They yielded to us and as a result it made sense for us to let the dirt bikes pass because they were traveling faster than us.  The riders were polite and allowed us plenty of time and space to clear a path and it made the experience easy for all.  The Sovereign Trail is one of the awesome trails in Moab that we have dirt bikes to thank for creating.  Clif Koontz, Director of Ride with Respect was integral in the development and maintenace of this fun trail.  Clif provides really great advice for dirt bikers on the trail tips page of his website - http://www.ridewithrespect.org/

Moab's most famous trail, the Slickrock Trail, was originally a dirt bike trail.  The technology of the suspension we enjoy on mountain bikes was driven by dirt bikes - check out the history of Fox Racing Shox - http://www.foxracingshox.com/company/.  I'm not saying you have to love dirt bikes or want to ride them I just needed a reminder on the trail today (more from my dog walk with the jeeps than my mountain bike ride with the dirt bikes) and I felt compelled to share.

I've found it helpful to remember that we are all out on the trail to play ~ to enjoy ~ to have fun. The only difference is we're using different tools to do so. Usually, a "hi" or "hello" will relax me even if I'm not having warm thoughts towards the other trail user.


IMBA, the International Mountain Biking Association, shares the following advice on multi-use trails:  http://www.imba.com/resources/risk-management/shared-trails

All users can benefit from remembering Leave No Trace principles:
http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php

Flashback to 1997

March of 1997 was my second mountain bike vacation to Moab.  It was Spring Break and I was riding a Trek 830 with no suspension.  I had coordinated the logistics for myself and 19 other people to come to Moab on Spring Break.

The vessel we were traveling in was a converted school bus painted baby blue with dancing mushrooms on the outside.  On the inside were 18 bunks and a couple of tables near the driver.  There was a double bed in the way back where I slept with my boyfriend at the time.

The drive from La Crosse, Wisconsin was supposed to take around 23 hours and it ended up taking us 3 days.  Instead of facing a storm that was pushing east on I-70 we headed south thru the pan handle of Oklahoma ~ around ~ and up thru Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Needless to say, once we arrived we were all eager to stretch our legs either hiking or riding.  A small group of us, four I think, wanted to ride Porcupine Rim.  We didn't realize most of the climb would be snow covered.  We hadn't asked any of the locals for advice and, besides, we rode it this time two years ago without snow.

That day, sometime in March 1997, we walked at least 4 miles through the snow with our bikes.  Each time we attempted to ride we found ourselves sliding without control in the snow and mud.  Back at camp later that afternoon we all had to replace our v-brakes because we had worn them down to the metal.

Since this experience I've seen people ride on snow gracefully and I have determined it is a combination of the water content of the snow and the type of tires they are using.  It seems that when the snow is more dry (airy) it is easier to ride and I know there are plenty of people that live in ski towns that refuse to put their bikes away for the winter.  Studded bike tires ~ super wide balloon tires ~ packed singletrack ~ one way or another they find success.

Yesterday, my friend Wendy & I had made a plan to ride Porcupine Rim.  We received beta from at least 3 people that LPS (Lower Porcupine Singletrack) was rideable and clear.  We were able to ride a fair amount of it but the other parts were snow covered or muddy.  Our guess was the snow was less melted, making it easier to ride, and the ground was frozen for the others where it had turned to mud for us.  

The Snotch, LPS March 5th, 2011

We survived with mostly dry feet, muddy bikes (nothing like the North Shore) and eager for more Porky  runs this year.

Make Your Mechanic Happy

I don't have a specific mechanic because there are so many excellent mechanics in Moab.  I do like to make them happy though because I like when they make my bike happy.  I learned from Dave at Chile Pepper Bike Shop today that when it is cold outside the oil in your rear shock becomes viscous and the shock may not perform as well.  The instructions were easy for me to follow:  when it is cold outside bring your bike in the house.

My bike hanging out in the spare bedroom until our next ride

Amasa Back - A Winter Haven

Photo taken by Noah Sears


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The Sunday Sweet Ride just keeps getting sweeter. In December, a group of Moab locals decided to resurrect the, Church of the Sweet Ride, on Sundays throughout the winter. Tyson Swasey has held the group together by motivating weekly with a Facebook invite and information on where & when to meet.


The total number of riders this past week was close to twenty which included a fella new to town that builds custom frames and a young gentleman (12 years old) who, in spite of his young age, is an incredible rider. Perhaps he'll follow in the tire tracks of Tyson (no pressure).

Amasa Back was an easy choice because it has kept many of us on our mountain bikes this winter by providing a dry trail with views that have the power to make one gasp.  The photo above was taken by Noah Sears, a phenomenal rider, that drove over from Fruita, Colorado to participate in the ride.

Women that Love to Ride

Attention ---- women that love to ride mountain bikes or women that are curious about riding mountain bikes or women that are just getting started riding mountain bikes.  Trek Bicycle Company is running a survey to learn more about what motivates you to ride.  They want to understand women and mountain biking.  What an awesome opportunity! 

I started riding in 1995.  I'm grateful for the amazing advancements in the world of bicycle engineering.   Some of my favorite moments being alive have happened on my mountain bike.  I have to admit though, I'm still looking for stylish, functional things to wear when I ride and a saddle that doesn't give me sores.  Where will we be in another 15 years?

I found it challenging to put my passion into words but I believe it is worth the challenge.  I think Trek might be the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world.  If not, they have to be close.   The survey takes about 10 minutes.


Here is the link to the survey:  http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/435770/60a7222f876c/

Mountain Bike Camps in Moab

Have More Fun on your Bike in 2011!

There are many dates to choose from if you, or someone you know, wants to improve their riding in 2011.  Sign-up for a Mountain Bike Camp with the skilled local riders that coach for Moab Mountain Bike Instruction.  With both new & classic trails Moab is an awesome place to improve your riding.

Tell us your goal - what would you like to be able to do on your mountain bike?  We want to help you make it happen.  We have a diverse group of coaches that are experienced at coaching beginning to expert riders.  Call or email us today so we can reserve a spot for you in one of our camps this year!!

March 26th & 27th
April 2nd & 3rd
April 30th & May 1st
May 7th & 8th
May 14th & 15th


September 3rd & 4th
September 10th & 11th
September 17th & 18th
October 1st & 2nd
October 15th & 16th



435.260.9554
moabmountainbikeinstruction@gmail.com