desert trip, part 3

Another sunny and cool morning in Fruita found us breakfasting at Camilla's Kaffe (open 7 days/week, breakfast and lunch only), then packing up our room and heading a little way out of town to the Kokopelli trail system.  The trail head was very busy with lots of MTBers buzzing around but once we got out on our trail - we did the Rustler's Loop - we saw no-one.  The trail was great: flowy and mostly hardpack, with fantastic views over the Colorado River.

The Kokopelli trail signs were very funny

We did just one circuit (about six miles) and then moved on to the third major Fruita trail system, Rabbit Valley, not far from the Colorado/Utah border.  The Rabbit Valley trails are mixed-use, having originally been established for dirt bikes and OHVs but with the addition of MTB access with the rise of cycling's popularity.  The singletrack is for MTBs and dirt bikes; doubletrack is for everyone, including ATVs and jeeps.  This means that the trails are a little more chewed up than those that are MTB-only.

Rustler's Loop view (Kokopelli system)

We did a combination of Trail #2 and the Kokopelli Trail, getting out to the state line and back, and passing tons of primitive BLM campsites.  The ride had nice rolling hills but a real mix of surfaces - hardpack, red sand, gravel, loose rock and slickrock.  Sand usually freaks me out but at this point we were riding through so much of it that I started to figure it out: shift down and keep the revs high, relax the deathgrip on the handlebars, stop holding my breath.

Rabbit Valley singletrack

It was also terribly windy, like, crazy windy and the blowing sand got in our eyes and mouths.  By the time we got back on a firmer gravel road, however, I was so grateful to be off the sand that I refused to complain about the headwind, even when it almost stopped me cold.  We had quick beers and sandwiches back at the truck, huddled down beside the wheels to keep out of the wind, and then continued west.

Sandy section

To mix things up just a bit, we took the scenic Route 128 to Moab, past Fisher Towers, through Castle Valley and along the Colorado River.  At this point (midafternoon), all the riverside BLM campgrounds were full; Moab itself was jumping, with NO VACANCY signs at most of the hotels on Main Street.  Made me glad for our reservations.

In another wash, this one rideable

We checked in at the Kokopelli Lodge (we figured this was our tenth time staying there!) and did our usual clean-up/do laundry/put together a plan for the next day before walking to the Moab Brewery.  It was super-busy as usual but we scored seats at the bar pretty quickly.  The bartenders were outstanding, managing the crowds with finesse and good cheer.  We ate (veggie burger and veggie burrito) and enjoyed our beers (Johnny's IPAs) and had a good time people-watching.

Route 128 is scenic all right

The day finished up with us adjourning to the chairs outside our motel room for one more beer whilst wrapped in fleeces, warm hats and wool socks.  That night's forecast was for 30 F and the temperature was falling fast.

Ride stats:  14.9 miles total (both rides); 2:05 hours; 7.1 avg. m.p.h., 23.3 max. m.p.h.