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Aaaaah. Singletrack.
We took our lazy time today, but ended up on the trail for a good five hour ride, playing around on the Kokopelli Loops trail network off the Loma exit.
After a bit of a breakfast and a bit of a clusterf**k getting gear together (we're really not in a big hurry for anything) we did get up and out and on the trail.
As you can see below, we had the network to ourselves as far as we can tell. Apparently not a lot of people riding mid-week during the winter?
We got on the trails by about 10am, with the temps at a positively balmy 35d F (it got as warm as like 45 form what we could tell - whew - what a scorcher). We rolled back to the car around 3:30, and it was a very good time.
This was my first ride ever in Fruita, and even with weather that was not as optimal as I could have hoped for it was plenty great enough. I was not at all disappointed and had a blast, particularly working some of the technical stuff like the entrance to Horsethief Bench (I rode about half, if I tried a bit I think I could get about 80 percent if I would really try. This being my first new ride of the vacation I was somewhat conservative, bad Bear I know.
We didn't get half of the trails covered, partially because we were being lazy and taking our time, and partially just taking pictures and screwing around.
I also felt a little inhibited by the cooler temps, just not used to it and need to practice more.
As much as it's refreshing, and Trailsurfer loves it, it's still a bit of a thing to acclimate to, riding at 30-40d F all day.
But that's why "laying" was invented.
That and Thinsulate gloves.
Mary's Loop was a fun romp, but I especially liked Horsethief Bench and Moore Fun. I could spend too much time sessioning on the entry way to Horsethief. I could possibly spend days playing on Moore Fun. It also looks to me that Mack Ridge could be very rewarding, but we didn't make it over to that.
Kokopelli Trailhead, so crowded we didn't know where to park
Playing around on the entrance to Horsethief Bench
( Quicktime video - AVI video ) Some cool rock spurs, looking south-easterly with the river to the right
Trailsurfer seemed to like the deep canyons that were only "this" wide
Gratuitous action shot No. 1 - Bear
There's some really keen views off Moore Fun, I wonder how many times each has been photographed?
Gratuitous action shot No. 2 - Trailsurfer
( Quicktime video - AVI video ) The view down from the last true overlook from Moore Fun down back towards the end.
Ride data : 14.98 miles, ~2800ft climbing, lots and lots of fun.
GPS tracklog file - for your own use, with your favorite GPS software
Google Earth file - fire it up in Google Earth for a really nice 3D view that you can play with.
Tommorrow - other stuff. Could be Bookclifs, could be Tabagauche, could be Moab if the weather forces us out of Fruita. Have to sleep and wake up to find out.
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