Mountain Biking in Moab

My second official stop during the Public Lands Tour sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. was Moab, Utah. Moab is known worldwide as an outdoor recreation mecca offering outdoor enthusiasts several different experiences. Along with rafting, off-road ATV trail use, and rock climbing, the lands surrounding Moab, mostly BLM, also offer some of the most challenging, beautiful, and fun mountain bike trails out there.

I visited the Public Lands Information Center in downtown Moab to present $1,000 to go to the Moab Trails Alliance and the Grand County Trail Mix organizations. These two organizations work closely with BLM officials to help build and improve mountain bike trails throughout the Moab region, specifically for an upcoming project on National Public Lands Day. I had an interesting time talking with members from both organizations about the growth in Moab, mountain bike advocacy, and the other multiple uses public lands have around the area.

After the ceremony, David Olson from the City of Moab and representative of the Grand County Trail Mix for the City of Moab guided me on one of Moab's most popular trails, Porcupine Rim so I could see first hand from a trail advocate, the what, how, when, where of trailwork in Moab.

It was a pleasure riding with David whom showed me just a fraction of work that these two organizations do, not only out on the trails outside of town, but also in town. The ride on Porcupine Rim was also spectacular. After climbing at 6,000 or so feet for an hour or so, we had views of the Moab valley for miles and miles. HERE is where I was able to catch my sea-level loving breath.

David knew the majority of the names of all the mesas and buttes and he was a great guide animating the ride with several stories only a Moab trail advocate would know.

Many thanks to the BLM, Moab Trails Alliance, Grand County Trail Mix, and The City of Moab for a great visit. We hope that the $1,000 goes to the betterment of another local trail!