MoJoe dedication ceremony in Fruita, Colorado. Photo credit: Nola Svoboda
Nola took this photo a few weeks ago when she was out at 18 Road in Fruita for the dedication ceremony of our newest trail, “MoJoe.” We’re lucky to have such a great group of dedicated trail builders: the BLM, COPMOBA, sponsors like REI, and the City of Fruita. They all deserve thanks for working hard to constantly build new trails and to improve existing ones.
Recently Nola was back in town so she and I headed out to 18 Road for an awesome ride with about a million other folks (that’s only a slight exaggeration–it’s fabulous tourist season in Fruita!). After a warm up on Prime Cut and PBR (last year’s new addition), we cruised up through the campground and to the top of Joe’s Ridge.
Snack time! Nice views from the overlook on Joe’s. Photo credit: Nola Svoboda
The ridge is as steep as ever and bumpy, but with no obstacles we cruised on down, leap-frogging with another group. You still have to climb up the other side and spin along the ridge top, but at the end instead of heading back up the gravel road to Kessel Run (still awesome, BTW) you can jump on MoJoe instead.
At the beginning there are signs warning that the “character of this trail changes from this point on.” There are pumps, rollers, and tabletops! There is a rocky section (rideable after a quick look) and best of all, in my opinion, there are “B” routes. The desert is a fragile place and including some ride arounds from the get-go, I think, is better than people eventually creating their own (which we all know happens).
I used a few of the “B” routes, but mostly flew over the tabletops yelling incomprehensible things like “whoooaaaaa!”
Photo credit: Nola Svoboda
MoJoe ends right where Kessel ends; turn left and ride back up to the parking lot. Just before the end though is an awesome jump (that I avoided). Nola took full advantage!
I’m excited to introduce MoJoe to you! Now the question really becomes which route to ride? Prime Cut, a portion of Kessel, Joe’s, and MoJoe? Prime Cut, PBR, Joe’s, and Kessel? Joe’s and MoJoe? The possibilities just keep growing!
