Adventure 28: Dead Horse Point State Park/Post D

All Down Hill From Here

First, the bad news. Judy won four games in a row to tie the score at 5-5. She used a series of cheating schemes such as scoring sixteenies, dozelitos, beinte quatros (or Van Kats if you're French), while I languished with mismatches, mishmashes, and often downright strangers. It was a sad morning at slick rock.  My head cleared when we drove to Moab to ride the paved trail we discovered while touring Arches National Park yesterday. It wasn't too hard, since the trail parallels the highway and was clearly visible. It runs from Moab to Hwy 313 (10 miles), and strong riders continue up the steep switchbacks to Dead Horse and Canyon Lands National Park (30 miles). We rode up hill from Moab and a little ways up Hwy 313. We're now sitting in a funky little internet cafe (Few Republicans here) right along main street of Moab, but then everything in Moab is along main street. This place attracts a few geezers like us, but mostly it is peopled with thirty somethings with fat thighs and flat stomachs. The off road riding here is world famous, but it doesn't appear to be for the faint hearted. I'm just about to throw my Vitamin D away and get my heart pumped as every day greets me with sky "azule' if my Spanish is correct. Today's high in Moab will reach in the high sixties: Perfect. For you all, enjoy the ride. Despite its vicarious nature, you're sure to realize that few routes are more perfect for a tandem bike. We reached a top speed of near forty; could have gone faster if I knew the road better. Maybe tomorrow life could be better, but I can't see how.

 Looking back a the switchbacks up into Arches National Park; right behind Judy's head.

Heading down the trail to Moab.

 Lots of off road trails along the paved path. Names like Rusty Spur, Sidewinder, and Dead Man's Gulch.

 Hwy 313 goes up, up (14%) to Dead Horse and Canyon Lands

 It's the balanced rock, but of course the point and shoot didn't capture the drama.

 Sixty-seven year old biker chick.

 More fun down than up.

 Son Steve would enjoy escaping on this off-road trail. Dual shocks needed.

 The Colorado River and Moab Canyon beyond.

 We would have ridden further on this road if it hadn't been closed. Douglissimo might have ridden right past the barrier. Maybe.

Obligatory sign shot.

The bridge across the Colorado; eventually the trail will run right through Moab. It's under construction right now. Great ride!