Archive
Posts Tagged ‘mountain bike huts’
Monday, May 14th, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Day 3: 7/10/09 Deep Creek
Team Oracle left the Black Mesa Hut at approximately 7:45 a.m. Opening the upper windows in the hut helps with circulation. It seems that earplugs are a must to get some sleep. Eight tired males in a small room yields a nightly symphony of bodily noises. Kevlar found some clothes in his bag last night left from the Italians. I’m sure he will be digging deeper tonight for more intimate apparel.
Caspar a.k.a Kevlar took off first down the hill dressed in white. I’m sure the locals thought the Colorado Yeti had returned to the Black Mesa. The downhill today was great. FSR 615 was very rocky with patches of mud. We ate lunch at the ‘T’ intersection of Beef Trail Road. The locals drove by and offered some grit to the PB&J.
We arrived at Miramonte Reservoir for a quick swim. No sign of Kevlar. We pushed on for Dry Creek Basin Hut and arrived at approximately 1:45 p.m. Kevlar had the hut open and had a plate of milk and cookies waiting for us. We were also greeted by biting black gnats. Some of the team made some nachos for all to enjoy. Curious George repacked his front bike bearings with Vasoline.
Interesting to note some of the items the team members brought: “Jim Dandy” is still carrying his eight pound arctic raingear. He’ll probably put it on and run through some Moab lawn sprinklers to justify the load. Curious George has enough bike tools to open a shop in Durango. Kevlar has a livestock brush that he hopes to use to groom an elk herd.
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, Biking, Durango, moab, mountain bike huts
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Telluride to Moab, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, May 7th, 2012
It’s true that your glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves take a toll after big rides, especially those first big rides. But it comes down to the core when it comes down to post-riding pain and particullary back and neck. Here are a few exercises that align the spine, encourage upper body flexibility and relieve pain in the back, neck and shoulder–and a few can be done right at your desk. Check out Bicycling Magazine easy upper body training in yoga fashion.
Tags: Bike, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking
Posted in Bike | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Team Oracle
Day 1: 7/8/09 Bolam Pass
The eight amigos (seven California boys and one from Colorado) left the Starbucks at Purgatory around 8:25 a.m. The extra coffee was critical for the anticipated *** trail needed to be deposited to mark the way for the stragglers. Great climb up the mountain. Creek crossings were a surprise. We got to wash our shoes and the “Wizard” participated in a high-altitude baptism. Thought we had the hut at the Graysill mining site. If that’s the hut we’re in for a long ride. Made it to hut around 1:45 p.m. The Italians left the hut in great shape. The two cans of chili missing indicated their dinner was less than special. We started dinner early. “Kevlar” field-dressed a Marmot. We had pasta as a side dish.
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, customer feedback, Durango, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking, trail conditions
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab, Trail Conditions | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2012
How much do you know about shifting? To make riding more fun and bike repair less frequent, check out these tips from seven-time Canadian national cross-country champion Andreas Hestler from Bicycling magazine for a better ride and a longer drivetrain life.
- Is cross chaining the answer? Riding in a combo of the big chainring and big cog, or the small ring and small cog, is generally not a good idea. But Hestler says, it can at times offer the ideal gear and races set their bikes to handle it. However, it’s rough to shift into.
- Think before you shift. Your eyeing that hill climb before you and it’s all about anticipation. Anticipate your next gear and when to accelerate. Shifting after terrain changes sets you back energy-wise and slows you down. Same goes for sand and water crossings—think before you get in gear.
- Care for your chain. Changing the chain, Hestler says, keeps you from having to replace your cogs and rings as often. And be weary of wet-dry riding, chains weaken in these conditions. Check your chainring and cassette for burrs and nicks.
- Go easy. Make shifting light, careful and timely to avoid breaking something. “If you love your bike it’ll love you—shift lightly and carefully,” says Hestler.
Tags: Durango, mountain bike huts, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, mountain biking tips
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Telluride, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Monday, April 9th, 2012
All you Repeat Offenders with San Juan Huts mileage under your belt, we heard ya!
What is absolutely crucial for a rider to take on the 215 -mile Durango to Moab or Telluride to Moab hut to hut trip, and what can you ditch?
Responses ranged from the very wise and simple-a Gortex windblock shell jacket-to the celebratory-wine in a bag, anyone? One rider brought too much gear as is the tendency for some folks and ended up shipping some unnecessary belongings back home from the tiny Gateway Post Office. Other advice was as straightforward as bring a change of clothes to avoid the 24-hour lycra adornment. Smart.
Our favorite: A solar charger for your phone or camera (there is no electricity at the huts) so that you can take photos and send them to us!
Thanks everyone for your input! And be sure to keep checking in on our Facebook page!
Tags: moab, mountain bike huts, mountain bike routes, summer huts
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
Riding to the Gateway Hut mid-summer
Here in Southwest Colorado in spring it’s flip-flop weather one day, Sorels the next. With iffy spring conditions, summer sounds real appealing and perhaps far off. But it’s time to book your bike trip. Do you know when the huts are available?
Both the Telluride and Durango to Moab routes open in June, but dates vary due to high elevation hut locations where snow can fall and linger past the summer solstice.
Telluride to Moab: June 2, 2012
(High elevation huts include Last Dollar Hut at 11,000 feet and Spring Creek Hut at 9,100 feet)
Durango to Moab: June 15, 2012
(High elevation huts include Bolam Pass Hut at 11,411 feet and Black Mesa Hut at 10,625 feet)
Remember, too, when booking your hut trip to keep in mind winter can make an early appearance, as early as late August. But late September is generally the time we warn riders most about potential snowfall. Be prepared!
Our summer season is short, but oh so sweet!
Tags: Bolam Pass Hut, Gateway Hut, Last Dollar Hut, moab, mountain bike huts, mountain bike routes, Spring Creek Hut, summer huts
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Mountain Bike Routes, Summer Huts, Telluride, Telluride to Moab, Trail Conditions | No Comments »
