BCI - Ride Reports, Matsufuji

Ride Reports List

by Pam Matsufuji

(Click on the pictures to see larger versions)

March 20, 2003 -- A number of months ago I ran across a ride event on the Western States Ride Calendar billed as the Moab “Skinny Tire Festival.” Moab, Utah is known as the mountain bike capital of the USA, but can you ride a road bike there? Well, the answer is a resounding YES!

The Festival (see the website www.skinnytirefestival.com) is a charitable event to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The LAF Peleton Manager, Mark Griffith, is a Moab resident whose own personal story and interest in cycling led him to develop the event. This is the 3rd year and I hope it continues to grow and grow.

Six BCI folks were signed up for the event. Due to personal circumstances, four dropped out and only two, John Chico and myself, completed the journey. It’s a long drive (12 hours) that we broke up by driving to Mesquite, Nevada on Wednesday night, and then continued to Moab on Thursday. The drive from Mesquite to Moab was gorgeous, but nothing like we would see in the next four days. Upon arrival in Moab, we took off on the bikes for a short 15-mile ride before it got dark. It was then I realized we were at attitude (4000’) as I was a little short of breath (plus it was really cold – about 45 degrees).

DAY 1 – POTASH ROAD

The first day’s ride began at 10 am. It was billed as a flat 40 mile ride west along the Colorado River. At breakfast I met several other riders: Phyllis and Kelsey, a couple in their late 70’s who lived in Mesquite and had just come from Brian Head where they skied for a few days; Curt, the soy and corn farmer from South Dakota; a doctor from Pennsylvania; and a woman from Colorado Springs. It seamed that John and I were the only Californians on the ride.

The ride started at 10 am and it was a quick blast out through town, past the Colorado River were we turned west on Potash Rd. I finally slowed down and came upon Rick, a close friend of Mark Griffith, and he allowed me to draft behind him. The scenery was beyond description – the river, high, stone ridges and ledges, bright colors – red, rust, yellow and green – so beautiful and the rides were to get better each day.

Rick introduced me to Mark as Mark rode by and I had a chance to ride with him for a short while and to chat about the event. Mark finally said he had to get up ahead and he was off like a shot!

John, Rick and I rode out to the turnaround spot, had snacks and then I rode back with a kid from Provo named Kerry. I got into town, had lunch with John, back to the hotel for a shower and then over to another scheduled event: the Hill Climb Time Trial. The ride was up Sandflats Rd. If you are familiar with Moab, this is the road to the Slickrock area that is famous for MTB riding. The climb is 1000’ in 5 miles. An impressive 38 riders attempted the climb. It was great to watch!

DAY 2 – THE RIVER ROAD

Day two, I met some more riders during breakfast and then prepared for the ride along the East side of the Colorado River. I can’t say this enough, but the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. You can tell the river cut an angry path through this side, as the rock walls were very steep and the face of the walls were beautifully carved out by water and erosion. The road here starts to climb and moves away from the river. The sag stop was at a working ranch and winery; many riders planned to return and do a tasting.

After leaving the winery, the country-side opened up and the roads became rolly and at times steep (but thankfully short). Eventually, the road straightened out and I reached the lunch stop at the historic Dewey Bridge (unfortunately I didn’t check out why the bridge is historic). Lunch was served by one of three local restaurants that agreed to fuel the riders. I was anxious to get back on the bike for the return ride and had a quick lunch. This ride was 68 miles, a bit long for me, and I hoped to take it easy going back. John met up with Rick and they headed back early while I finished up lunch.

Since it was uphill going out, I thought the ride back would be an easy downhill. WRONG! It was headwinds! The wind was strong coming back on the first day but nothing like this. What a struggle! On the rolly section there was no break. I struggled up a hill and then had to pedal downhill as the wind was so strong. At the winery, I strongly considered sagging in but was so glad I didn’t. The last 17 miles were fairly easy and the wind died down once I got back into the rock wall area.

That evening was the event dinner. Mark was very sweet and somewhat emotional as he told of the great loss of his older brother to cancer. Another one of Mark’s friends also recounted her older brother’s current struggle with cancer. Dinner was good. We had cowboy food: beans, chicken, beef and rolls. The prizes were given out for the hill climb; the winning time was 18 minutes! Also the top fundraisers were rewarded with prizes. The winner, Phyllis O’Grady from Colorado Springs, raised $2,100 and won an all expense paid trip to Austin to ride with Lance in the Ride For The Roses! Phyllis was pretty stoked! We all were extremely jealous!

DAY 3 – ARCHES

I went to breakfast, as usual, where I heard stories of Arches. This is was a climbing day, 3400’ in 50 miles; a “Bear” ride. I left early and headed out past the Colorado to the entrance of Arches National Park. On the way, I passed young big horn sheep grazing along the road.

After walking through the ranger station (a federal regulation), I was faced with the first of five climbs. Moab is surrounded by rock faces. The road to Arches is cut right into a rock face and climbs straight up; very intimidating! There was nothing to do but start climbing up the steep, switchback road and being passed right and left by other riders. I just hoped there was a “payoff” at the end.

After cresting (the climb wasn’t as bad as I feared), the road flattens out (sort of) and you ride into the “Courthouse” area of Arches. This area is noted for large, tall, pedestal type rock formations including “Courthouse Rock” – a large, looming Monument on the landscape. The scenery here took my breath away and punctuating the sky were the ever-present La Sal Mountains covered with snow.

After the first rest stop, I started out and had a fun downhill to the next climb (yes – this ride is either up or down – no flats!). The next climb went about 6 miles at a 5% grade; doable, but long. At the rest stop, I met up with Rick and then enjoyed a fast, steep downhill where I hit 50 mph before braking. We had another long and steep grade (about 5 miles going from 5% to 7%) and then had a lunch stop. They served gourmet food: Miso Soup and Veggie Wraps! I spent way too much time hanging and talking before it was time to head out again.

From the lunch stop, there is a wonderful, fun, long downhill – all out – no brakes. Good thing I got the rest because I next came upon the steepest hill, only a mile but starting at about 7% and going to 10%. I had to stop once, half way up but then finished the climb. We enjoyed another long downtime, the last uphill (I stopped a number of times to take “photos”) and then the “e-ticket” downhill out of the park. A couple of times, I thought I was just going to ride right off the road as the switchbacks were very hard to negotiate at any speed and my fingers were sore from braking! One note: while riding back through Courthouse I heard shouting. It turns out a climber was on top of one of the pedestals and shouting down at the riders. Too cool!

When I reached the hotel, I laid for a while on the grass sipping a berry smoothie in the warm sun (each day in Moab was beautifully sunny and warm – a welcomed surprise) talking with other riders about the great day we all had!

DAY 4 – DEAD HORSE PASS

I declined to ride Day 4 as things were sore that didn’t need to get any sorer. I elected to go back into Arches and do about 10-miles of hiking. I hiked out to Delicate Arch, the Arch depicted on the Utah license plate. It was so beautiful! But picture this: a large, natural toilet bowl with a wishbone placed upside down on top. That was Delicate Arch; a very weird formation.

I left Arches after hiking and photographing weird rocks and rock climbers perched here and there, and went back to pick up John. He was on a remote ride in which I had dropped him off in the morning at the starting point. Now I wanted to go see what I missed riding.

The road to the Pass was steep and grinding. About 15 – 20 miles of uphill (although most of the riders stated the climb was not too bad). It was pretty scenery but I’m so glad I begged off. The turn off to Dead Horse Pass was surrounded by wide-open prairies leading to the start of the Canyonlands, the North rim of the Grand Canyon. It was very windy and cold. I found John riding back from the lunch stop with Phyllis (the fundraiser winner). Since they were doing OK, I drove down to the pick-up spot to wait and took a nap in the warm sun. When they finished, we all drove back into town.

After showering, John and I took a car ride on the La Sal Mountain Loop. In September or October, this loop will be the route for the Moab Century. The Climb is 10,000’ and the roads, although scenic and very quiet, are well, less traveled. We were soon up into snow country and, fearing it would be get dark and icy, we came back down.

* * *

I will always remember this event. I met so many wonderful people. Dear Rick and Mark who befriended me; wonderful Phyllis and Kelsey, the older couple who are living life to the fullest; Michael, a young, strong rider (he won the hill climb) who always said “hi” when he rode past me; and many, more wonderful folks. What a great event for a good cause. The expense was modest (hotel was $55 a night, ride registration was $75 – which includes snacks and lunch on the rides and dinner the second night, and a minimum donation of $150). The scenery is gorgeous and the 12 hour drive went remarkably fast.

Please consider doing this event next year. It would be great to see a large BCI turnout. Let’s help do our part for Lance. And keep in mind, you could possibly raise enough money to win a ride with Lance Armstrong. WOW! How cool would that be!