Rocky Mountain Holidays.

Image Gallery

Trip to Colorado and Utah 2002.

Getting There.

I had a not to be refused chance of a lifetime holiday to Colorado and Utah for to weeks in June 2002. The holiday was with Rocky Mountain Adventures, a company based in Liverpool. With the holiday all booked up and ready to go what else could go wrong apart from forest fires in Colorado, after speaking to Rockymountain I found that there wasn’t a problem in the part where I was going. As I was going on my own I was a bit apprehensive, as I had never gone outside of Europe before. My other thought was that I was going on my own, will I be a bit left out as most other people would be going as part of a group. Who goes on holidays like this, would it be a group of really fit people or older types that can afford to pay a grand to go on holiday? Do I take my own bike, would I be all right on my Giant AC team with 5 inch travel forks. Well I would soon find out because I wasn’t going to pay to hire one.

When I got to the airport most of my worries were long gone, just before I got on the plane I met up with two other lads, Tim and Steve who were also travelling alone, why is it that mountain bikers are always noticeable. Now for the first flight to Philadelphia, this was to be the longest I had ever been on a plane let alone having to sit on my arse for over nine hours. After a few movies a bit of sleep and a chat with the American grannies who had just spent a month in England and want to move here we were landing at Philadelphia airport. Customs was a nightmare it took ages to get through having to sign forms saying you hadn’t been on a farm and you don’t have foot and mouth and you are not coming to America to be a drugs baron or a pimp. This did give us the opportunity to see if there were any other likely looking mountain bikers around. That is were we met up with Ant and Paul. We then had to pick up our kit and check for out next flight to Denver. In the airport we had around an hour or so to kill, we were pretty hot bearing in mind it was raining when we left the UK and it was 98degrees here, there is only one thing you can do. Find a bar have a beer.

Kids in America.

When we got into Denver Jason from Rocky Mountain Adventures was there to meet us and help us find our kit and to make sure everyone who was supposed to turn up had turned up. There was only to others Sarah and another Paul. After the van was loaded up we then made then headed off for our final bit of travelling for the day to Breckenridge, about an hour and halves drive up into the Rocky Mountains. It was about 9pm local, 2am in the UK, when we got the chalet in Breckenridge, we had a cup of coffee and went to bed completely drained from the full day of travelling. This did not stop us from being up at 5am, isn’t jet lag great. This did give us a chance to get our bikes rebuilt and to see if any thing was broken from the journey, luckily there were no problems. The only thing on my mind was that I was the only one with a riser bars let alone a 6 inch travel full suspension bike, my worries were gone when the guides reassured me that I was the one who was better off.

Day One: Colorado, Sally Barber Mine.

After breakfast it was time for the initial briefing on the why's and wherefore's of Rocky Mountain holidays and Breckenridge, what the house rules are and what is customary in America in general, and last but not least the altitude and heat. Firstly the altitude, in Brekenridge you are situated at 10000ft which makes climbing the stairs quite noticeable let alone riding a bike. Another thing that the altitude effects is the ability to drink acohol, more on that later. The other thing to watch out for was the heat. It was a lot hotter here than it was back at home but it was nothing compared to what it would be in Utah. The main thing was to drink lots of water constantly.

It was then time for our first ride, Sally Barber Mine. This was to be a taster of what was to come. If we were in the UK then you would go out and do this when you had an odd hour to kill. It is relatively easy, the first few miles are up hill on a hard pack surfaced track were you pass the odd hill billy type house and then you move on to jeep track. Jeep track is a phrase that you hear quite a lot of out there, this is because were ever you can go on a mountain bike a jeep is also legally allowed to go there as well. Jeep track is just a larger type well-worn track usually quite rocky and not really maintained. Up the jeep track it gets a little steeper and a bit more technical. This would not be a problem normally but out here when suffering some jet lag and the altitude it made it all the more harder. At the top of the climb is the old mine and stunning views. The guides then explain the history of the mine and what you can see from the top, this also gives time for photos a good drink and to reapply some sun tan lotion. With the hard bit over with it was then down hill all the way back to the house. This started first down the jeep track for a about a kilometer and then into purpose made single track which finishes on some excellent switch backs about 200m behind the house.

That afternoon we were shown around town and to the super market (which was seriously cheap) and around town. Today was the 4 July which meant that the town was completely packed with also sorts. The downside was that getting something to eat was a nightmare. After a bit of a wait we managed to get a burger and chips and a couple of beers in .

That night was 2 bit night in the Salt Creek. This was a bar which had a bit of a reputation for being a bit rough. Although in all the times we went there we saw no problems at all. It was the place to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2 bit night. This meant that you could get a pitcher of beer for 2 bits (2 dollars) plus a dollar tip. (tipping in America is a must otherwise they just wont serve you next time). It was a great night we would come here again. Altitude and beer doesn’t really mix.

Day two: Colorado, Bakers Tank.

The following day it was up and ready to go by 10 o’clock for the Bakers Tank Loop. This ride again started straight up hill out of town on road then into hard pack road. When we reached the tank it was time for a rest and a bit of the usual (photos and food etc) and chance to see what he ability of the groups riding was like. The faster riders would follow John back down and the slower ones would go down with Jason with a few tips on route. From the top to the bottom it was singletrack downhill all the way. From dust to roots to rocks to flat out open to tight and twisty switchbacks, by the time you reached the bottom you wanted to do it all again.

Day three. Colorado, Free Day.

The following day it was a case of do what you want, the options are endless, from going shopping to chair lift assisted downhill on the ski runs. Other options available are white water rafting and for the more ambitious parachuting. If shopping is your thing then a trip down to the shopping outlet in Silverthorn for some serious bargains. Or you could just have a look at the 5 or so bike shops that Breckenridge has to offer. The bike shops do not represent a huge saving, some things are relatively cheap but all the shops seem to stock the same stuff, clothing is a good buy though.

Day four: Colorado, Peaks Trail.

Sunday was Peaks Trail day. The Peaks Trail is 10 miles of single track running adjacent to the river all the way to Frisco. The start of the single track is slightly up hill, but it is not long until it is undulating and then a great stretch of down hill but beware of people coming up the other way. When in Frisco it is time for a bit of food and get ready for the ride back, either by the way you came or along the paved cycle track. This way is nice and easy even though it is up hill all the way.

After a bit of lunch it was time to hand the bikes over to the guides to be packed away for the trip to Utah. While they did that it was time to sort our own kit out get the last few items needed for the trip. Packing was easy, travel light was the name of the game. We would all be camping (there is a motel option for those who don’t fancy sleeping out), all you needed was your cycling kit, something to swim in a towel and something to wear in town. How simple could it be?

Day five: Moab, The Drive.

The next morning it was up breakfast and in the van ready to go. It would take around 5-6 hours driving to get to the camp site in Moab, travelling through some of the most amazing scenery I’ve ever seen, some of it scorched from the recent bush fires. We had 2 stops en route, 1 for lunch and another for a bit of a leg stretch. One thing that did hit us was the heat. Back in Breckenridge we were at 10000ft now we had traveled down a lot lower the heat was unbearable; you could feel the soles of your shoes melting in the tarmac. Luckily the van was equipped with air conditioning. It also had a video system as well so the journey seemed to fly by.

The campsite was situated about 5 miles outside of Moab right next to the Colorado River, it didn’t take long to set up then it was time to shoot into town for a bite to eat. After some great Italian food it was back to the campsite to do as you pleased until it was time for bed. Sleeping was another factor though, 40deg C in the day is pretty hot but 26deg C at night is unbearable why we were given sleeping bags is mystery to me. So after a troubled sleep we were woken at around 0530 for breakfast of cereal and coffee. Then it was up to the infamous Slickrock Trial, we started so early because the temperatures are so fierce by midday it would lose its enjoyment.

Day six: Moab, Slickrock.

Moab Slickrock is probably the most famous trail in the world; there is also no other trial in the world like it either. The main loop is around 10 miles long with about 1500 ft of climbing. The rock allows you to ride up 45 degree slopes without the back wheel slipping, it is unbelievably grippy. It is also not an easy ride it takes a good 3 hours to get around, the temperature reached about 40 degrees when we where there, and we were finished by midday. There is also no shade apart from the odd tree growing out of the sand traps; I went through 4 liters of water in the few hours we were there. The views from the top of the Slickrock were amazing looking down towards were we where camping and the Colorado River.

When we finished there was time for a drink, and watch a semi pro DH rider jump off the top of one of the rocks (very impressive), pack the van up and head into town for lunch.

That afternoon it was about a half hour walk through baking sand up to a secret creek for some swimming sunbathing and general relaxing.

That evening to it was off to the Green River Overlook to see the most amazing views I have ever seen. The sheer size of the place is amazing. We stayed there until sunset just admiring the view.

Day seven: Moab, Porcupine Rim.

The next morning after yet another roasting hot night, we had an early start. Three of us headed for Porcupine Rim. This is another of the trails Moab is famous for. It starts with around 4 miles of technical uphill which keeps you thinking so it is not too much of a hardship. At the top there are the obligatory photos overlooking Castle Valley. From there it was near enough all downhill. Gentle and undulating at first but getting rockier and more difficult as you go along. There is supposed to be over 150 drop offs on this trail I don’t know who would actually stop to count them. After the double track it was then into the single track which is super technical and the best I have ridden. This takes you all the way back out onto the road were it is about a mile back to the campsite. This trail was definitely the best I rode on my holiday, and as far as I can think the best I have ever ridden. If I had had the energy and the means I would have gone and done it again. (Wearing gloves is a good idea as one of the lads forgot theirs and lost most of the skin off his hands).

The less confident of riders went to Gemini Bridges which is supposed to be a nice easy downhill ride with some great scenery.

That afternoon it was some time for a shower, courtesy of Poison Spider Bikes, some shopping and some beers in a local pub, and then onto the last trip, Arches National Park, as like Green River Valley was an excellent place to watch the sun go down.

Day eight: Back to Colorado, Fruita.

The following morning it was another early start, pack up camp and head off back to Colorado. We made one stop on the way at another mountain bike Mecca Fruita. Fruita is developing mountain biking loops all the time the one that we were going to ride was Horse Thief Bench Loop. The ride was a real fun one, surprisingly difficult in some places, with some great climbs and even better descents. This was a really good break in the drive back to Breckenridge.

Day nine: Day off.

Back at Breckenridge it was time for food, shower and a couple of beers out on the town. The following day was a day off from riding so you were left to your own devices, this included visiting Silverthorne shopping outlet were you can buy just about anything. A leisurely walk around town or lying in bed most of the day recovering from a hangover. That evening there was talk of some strange goings on from the previous night including naked bikers on Main St.

That evening it was the final meal, all the guides came out and another good night was had, the ride booked in at 1000 had to be postponed until slightly later. (Who said the guide weren’t flexible).

Day ten :Colorado, Colorado Trail.

the following day it was the Colorado Trail. The beauty of this trail was the fact that you could make it as long or as short as you like. The reason for this is because it is all done in loops. This trail has some seriously long technical climbs but what goes up must come down. Because of the loops within a few mile you have had a good climb and an awsome downhill, but this ment that it was a tiring ride. The trails were very busy at the Dredge Boat Trailhead, but as soon as you got going everyone spaced out, and you pass very few people.