Single Track Trails Around North Klondike Bluff Utah

MAD Racing was once again the timing company for the Grand Fondo race in Moab Utah. Its been highlighted on my calendar and my anticipation was building as we neared our departure date.

Registration had closed the Saturday before the events so we were able to causally assign bib numbers and program chips for the capped 300 riders. The event sold out at 314 but about 50 or so never picked up their bibs the night before.

The race is basically a KOM and QOM for the top 5 for each category. The organization designed it this way so that nobody would take chances back down the other side of the La Sal Mountain. I bring this up because ALL the finishers were in fabulous spirits after a 100K ride. Nobody pissed or moaned about their time or placement. Dig That

5th Month 

After the well run Grand Fondo, Klishy & I headed for the North Klondike Bluff near the Moab airport. Utah's desert floor painted us a full on blooming BoB Ross masterpiece and I was completely awestruck.

I have never witnessed such spring like beauty here in Utah. As Junction warms up, Moab trends about 5F to 10F degrees warmer than GJ, I would load up The Boy Dog and we would head for the Grand Mesa in search of remaining snow pack levels and cooler temps. The Boy Dog throughly enjoyed eating and rolling in snow.

Look at all of those Flatbud Prickly Poppy standing at attention in this valley. Normally, these trails are like riding on Mars. Sure, its beautiful when its arid and weathered by the intense summer heat, but a lush desert is something else entirely.

And check out the La Sal range in the distance. This ride would be example of when I am not Strava  hungry. Sure, I recorded the mileage. But I was so mesmerized by the colors around me that pace or time became secondary. I even admit to that daydream feeling of flying like a bee with a full on desire to be pollinated.

Even this simple hunk of quartz grabbed my attention with all the Wolly Locoweed and soon to open Cooper's Dogweed in the background. There were scattered quartz pieces along the trail and dotted colorings of wildflowers as well. Klishy and I parted ways at this spot. He is a gifted athlete and powered himself around the larger loop. I was satisfied with rolling back on the Dino Trail.

I mean, CHECK THAT OUT. This is Utah after all

A Blooming Hesperoyucca Whipple?!?!? Unreal. I have only seen these in bloom down in La Paz Mexico. And they were everywhere here in Eastern Utah!! And just behind it was the start of a blooming Barrel Cacti. And behind that is the beautiful Raglan Bahia in all its healthy glory. Crazy Gorgeous

I stopped here to send off a few photos, videos, and noticed almost no evidence of mankind. Again, normally this ride feels as if its the virgin solo mission on Mars but today this area was waking up and chalk full of new life.

This section of the Dino-Flow between Little Salty and Baby Steps flippin' ROCKS!! Pun Intended. The Juniper Trees are in perfect aliment for leaning through the curve or hopping over a slab while keeping safe from its projecting limbs. Beautifully well placed rocks define the trail. The whole Dino Flow line is Epic!!

My loop consisted of the Chilkoot Pass > Agate East > Jasper West > Jurassic to Dino - Flow. At that point of Dino, Klishy rode up Klondike Bluff > Baby Steps > Alaska > Homer.

On this map, the HAPPY FACE next to the Dino TH, righteous section to ride. Klishy & I updated each other with cell phone photo of our current locations. All Went According To Plan

These Purple Fringe groupings were tucked in  so nicely around all that sandstone. They enjoyed the company of Notch-Leaf Phacelia and jaw dropping Silver-Leaved Phacelia. Oh, by the way, were are my paleontologist friends because dinosaur tracks are everywhere in this particular region. And I Am Clueless

And Now For Something Completely The Same
Hope you find the humor in that Monty Python twist. My last few days on the borrowed bike wheel from Fast Eddie was spent on morning rides at the Lunch Loops and I enjoyed even more blooming wildflowers. So Picture Perfect

The stunning Indian Paint Brush normally stands out to me but those Bur Marigold yellows have totally drawn me in.

This patch of Navajo Spinach stopped me dead. I sat here and munched down on my sandwich and soaked up the views from this vantage point. I responded / sent texts and never saw a single soul.

And that is just about the time a sexy common gardner snake slithered right between my feet and up along the "boulder" that I was seated upon. I didn't move a muscle and he didn't have a care in the world. Peaceful Crossing of Paths

GOALS:

1. Hosting Uncle Grubby And Showing Him A Tremendous GJ Time
2. Speak My Truth With Wingnut
3. One Max Rep on the Bench, Weigh Myself, & Incorporate A Few New Exercises 
4. Finish Off My Notes For The May 13th Radio Show
5. Hydrate Baby 

Until Next Time,
Cheers