Need Help Planning Fall Trip

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    • #125652

      Hello Everyone,

      I really appreciate all of the great information I have discovered on this site. I am hoping you guys can help me.

      I am in the beginning stages of planning a road trip with my 17 y/o daughter. She is a novice rider, but very fit and does very well on intermediate trails for a rider with limited experience. The plan is to leave from home here in Atlanta, GA Friday November 21, and head somewhere south/west. She doesn’t have to be back to school until December 1 so we have about 8 or 9 days or so to work with.

      I want to take her somewhere where the rides are epic, with a good variety of difficulty. She loves to ride with me, but she also has no problem hanging out at the campsite if I want to go on some more difficult rides solo. She will probably wind up riding with me about half the time. She has never been out west, so I want to take her somewhere that that also has some beautiful western scenery/parks. Right now we both ride Trek XC hardtails, but I will probably own an endure bike as well by then.

      My first thought is Moab. I know she would love to see Canyonlands and Arches. I wonder though if it could be too cold there Thanksgiving week, and if the trails will be too rough for her on a hardtail. I will probably also bring my dirtbike, so Moab is very appealing to me.

      Moab is a very long drive from here though, so I was also thinking about Texas or New Mexico. if I can shorten the drive 6 hours or so each way that equals 1 more day of riding. Palo Duro Canyon in Texas sounds really cool from what I have read on this site, but I don’t know if it really falls into that "epic" category.

      I am open to suggestions and really appreciate any advice. We will be driving a 4wd tundra and we have great camping gear so we can get just about anywhere.

      Thanks in advance for all replies!

    • #125653

      Hi Superfly!

      I too am new to this wonderful site, but I’ve already found a ton of helpful info here as well.

      That said, I live in Pagosa Springs, CO. We are in the SW region, down by four corners. What I like about Pagosa is that there’s a TON of great riding and exploring here and around this region. We are surrounded by 3 million acres of contiguous wilderness and you can find trails that range from easy/mild to moderate, to extreme. We have the deepest hot springs in the world, perfect for an after ride soak, and much, much more. Plus, from here, you can access the fantastic trails in Durango, parts of New Mexico, and Moab is a short 3 1/2 to 4 hours away. Basically, Pagosa is a great access point to some amazing terrain, the wilderness as it subtly changes over to the desert.

      Just west of Durango outside a small town called Cortex is an awesome trail called Phil’s World. They only let you ride it in one direction because it’s so fast and smooth with lots of burms on the turns and never an uphill that will cause you to lose your momentum.

      I’m not sure about the Thanksgiving time period, that’s usually when we get our first snow. The riding is still good and it’s never too cold but this early, it’s just hard to say. My wife is the Director of tourism here and over the years, we have made many friends in the food/lodging industry. I would be happy to get you, if not discounted, possibly free lodging as it would probably be too cold to camp at the point. And I have friends that rent out rooms for next to nothing. Really, you wouldn’t be disappointed with Pagosa. Here is the town website my wife manages and maintains…

    • #125654

      ….sorry, tablet error…
      http://www.visitpagosasprings.com

      Good luck to you either way and keep us posted!!!

      Ride on my friend!

    • #125655

      Thanks very much for your reply Markus. I just checked out that website; you live in paradise my friend. I would love to head there, but I’m thinking Thanksgiving time might be a little late in the year for that area. Definitely will keep it in mind though. Thanks!

    • #125656

      Lee,
      You have lots of great options.

      1. Moab is indeed fantastic, but as you say it is a long haul. Fear not about your novice daughter riding a hardtail though as Moab has opened tons of new novice-friendly trails in recent years which still provide all that amazing desert rock scenery and an authentic Moab experience. Particularly appropriate would be the Intrepid Trail at Dead Horse State Park, and some of the easier trails in the Brands Trail System, and the new Monitor and Merrimack route.
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … -Park.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … rails.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … track.html

      2. Fruita is on the way to Moab and both you and your daughter would probably love the 18 Road Trails as well as most of the trails in the Kokopelli network. At Koko, Rustler’s Loop is fun, scenic and novice friendly and Mary’s Loop is the perfect trail for a novice/lower intermediate to begin really building skills. At 18 Road, everyone loved the loop up Prime Cut and down The Chutes or PBR. Since each of these loops are short, you can do multiple laps in a morning or afternoon, sampling both and improving the ride with each go around.
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … rails.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … rails.html

      3. Closer than either is Phil’s World in Cortez and I fully second Markus’ recommendation that you hit that one. I can’t imagine any cyclist at any level of skill or fitness not absolutely loving that ride. It is indeed a world class ride worthy of any destination traveler. It is also a stacked loop system with no shortage of bail out points, so you can customize your ride to your ability level. Cortez also has other exceptional routes in the Boggy Draw and Sand Canyon areas.
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … world.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … trail.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … -loop.html

      4. Your idea of just going as far as New Mexico also has plenty of merit. There is great riding around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and some smaller venues as well. On the way to Cortez, you could hit the excellent High Desert Trail System, another stellar destination, especially for a growing mountain biker. Albuquerque and Santa Fe also offer lots to do off the bike and excellent New Mexico cuisine to boot.

      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … ystem.html (for you, starting at the east trailhead and doing just the First Mesa would probably be a great ride–add second or even third mesa if you’re feeling strong).

      Appropriate trails in/near Taos (may be a bit cool in November, but the only actual snow should be at higher elevations):
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/horsethief.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … gorge.html (an easy spin done mostly for the scenery)
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … rlook.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … verse.html

      Appropriate trails in/near Santa Fe:
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … space.html (this is a superb, quick, easy to access place suitable to a novice but with a couple challenges thrown in).
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/dale-ball.html (stick to Dale Ball North and Central–South is tough, both aerobically and technically and you are at 7k feet).
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … serve.html
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/la-tierra.html

      Appropriate trails in/near Albuquerque:
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … trail.html
      posting.php?mode=reply&f=81&t=11208
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … anyon.html (this one has some tough spots and may make for a tough climb for someone not accustomed to altitude. Give it a go if your daughter is feeling strong and confident–it’s a magnificent ride!)
      http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails … rails.html (this one will have a couple spooky spots for a novice rider, so a couple dismounts and short walks may be necessary, but it is so worth it as this is a totally unique ride and November is the perfect time to hit it).

      One personal suggestion from my point of view. I never let additional distance keep me from riding. 6 extra hours each way may mean an extra day of driving each way, but that doesn’t mean a day less of riding each way. No matter where you are, there’s always a good place to stop along the way, get out of the car, and go for a spin. Going from GA to NM, CO and/or UT, it looks like you might spend a good deal of time on I-40, so check out this article:

      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … p-edition/

      These more recent articles covers a couple of those routes (Palo Duro Canyon and Draper) in more detail:
      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … anhandlin/
      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … in-biking/

    • #125657

      It might be to far but Sedona has so great mtbing I hear and in the canyons there are tons of unexplored Indian ruins.

    • #125658

      Thanks John for the info! Lots of possibilities for sure. Right now I’m leaning towards stopping first at LOVIT in Arkansas, then doing a couple days at Palo Duro and a few days in New Mexico. Really want to go to Moab, but I’m thinking that maybe we just don’t have enough time. Thanks again!

    • #125659

      Lee,
      I suspect one day at Palo Duro should be adequate. It’s definitely worth a day, but I’d be hard pressed to want to spend a second day there, especially knowing it’s New Mexico (and maybe CO/UT) await.

      btw, Sedona is IMO the single most scenic MTB destination on the continent, but it is decidedly short on novice-friendly terrain.

    • #125660

      John,

      I really appreciate your input. After much thought I am thinking it would probably make more sense to fly out west, and then rent bikes there. If we fly, we have options. I just read your 3 part article about Sedona. Sedona in some ways would be easier. There are tons of flight options from ATL to Phoenix, and the flights are shorter and cheaper. Also, it looks like Sedona would likely be a little warmer than Moab in late November. Is that correct?

      Do you think Sedona would be a better fit for us than Moab? I know there aren’t as many novice friendly trails in Sedona, but my daughter is a pretty tough, athletic kid, and I think she would be able to do the intermediate trails. I thought about even basing out of Sedona, but driving up to Moab for a couple of days as well. Thanks again for your input!

    • #125661

      Phil’s World is in Cortez, CO, not Cortex. 20 miles west is another great ride, Sand Canyon thru an 800 year old Anasazi village ruins. Between Pagosa, Durango and Cortez there’s more riding than you have time.
      My autumn trip is to St George, UT and Gooseberry Mesa on 9/26-9 the same time as the Red Bull Rampage a few miles away. Same weekend is Zion Canyon Music Festival in Springdale, the beautiful town at the entrance to Zion National Park, 10 miles from Gooseberry. Also be riding Little Creek Mesa and Guacamole Mesa.
      Gooseberry Mesa is the most fun I’ve ever had on a bicycle.

    • #125662
      "John Fisch" wrote

      Lee,
      I suspect one day at Palo Duro should be adequate. It’s definitely worth a day, but I’d be hard pressed to want to spend a second day there, especially knowing it’s New Mexico (and maybe CO/UT) await.

      btw, Sedona is IMO the single most scenic MTB destination on the continent, but it is decidedly short on novice-friendly terrain.

      Sedona has novice terrain, 400+ miles of trails. But they are busy as the novice terrain are hiking trails. Palo Duro is in the Texas panhandle. If going there Cloudcroft is on your way at 8800′. If it’s hot on your trip, it will be cool there.

    • #125663

      Lee,
      I posted this earlier, but it looks like it didn’t stick, so here’s another try:

      Flying in definitely opens some possibilities, especially for more riding!

      These days, Moab has more novice friendly terrain. However, Sedona is totally stunning and there are some easier options there. Sedona will be about 5 degrees warmer than Moab and probably more comfortable for you in November. Hit the Bell Rock Pathway as an introduction to the area, but do it early to beat the crowds. I recommend turning it into a loop with the Llama trail for some more technical but still non-threatening fun. The Big Park Loop makes a great 2.5 mile add on that is very fun for an adventurous novice or lower intermediate.

      If y’all survive the Llama trail unscathed, think about heading for Chuckwagon and Aerie. There may be some dismounts, but most of the trail is moderately technical and highly fun–emphasis on fun–the fun to effort ratio here is as good as any I’ve seen, especially for an intermediate rider, and the scenery is beyond stunning.

      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … in-sedona/

      While I wouldn’t recommend the full Templeton/Baldwin loop for anyone below a highly confident upper intermediate, you can get the best of the scenery and some very fun singletrack by doing an out and back to Cathedral Rock on the Templeton Trail.

      Another thing Sedona has going for it over Moab when flying is that it’s a quicker drive from Phoenix to Sedona than it is from Salt Lake to Moab, and by November, you run the risk of snow in Northern Utah, but not in Arizona.

      The other great thing is that, come November, if even Sedona is too cold, or too tough, Phoenix itself has tons of great singletrack to entertain all levels of rider. There’s something special about riding through forests of giant saguaro cacti. There is a great loop in the McDowell Mountain Park. If you nail that, give Gold Canyon a try:

      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … phase-one/

      There are plenty of other options around Phoenix, but I’m not familiar with all of them. Maybe someone like Abe could chime in again here.

      Flying into Phoenix also gives you easy access to Tucson, with tons of great riding options. For you and your daughter, I recommend the Sweetwater Preserve (the best cactus forest anywhere) and Fantasy Island (non threatening, but still super fun):

      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … me-take-1/

      If you rip those, then you may want to head for the best ride in the area, the 50 Year Trail. The toughest techy spots have ridearounds, so this is a great option for riders of different abilities riding together.

      http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-tr … me-take-2/

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