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Moab, UT June 15-21, 2008
Ride from Grand Junction, Colorado to the world
famous
Moab, Utah along the beautiful 148-mile Kokopelli's trail.
Distances will range from day to day between 19 and 40 miles. This is
relaxed pace on an intermediate level trail. The trail varies from
2WD dirt roads to technical rocky sections that most will have to get off
and portage their bikes. Most of the course is ridable by
intermediate riders.
The entire length of the trail is stunningly beautiful
with jagged canyons and breathtaking vistas and Desert R.A.T.S. riders
experience every beautiful mile.
Riders will rendezvous in Moab, UT on Sunday June
15th, to receive instructions with detailed course maps
and final instructions. Early on Monday morning, riders will be
transported to the start of the ride near Grand Junction and head off for the first
of six days. Each day riders will be greeted at the camp area and
directed to the tent city where they can mingle, access their gear, enjoy a
hot meal provided by Gemini Events and rest up for the next day.
Nightly meetings will be held to discuss the following day's course and make
announcements. Riders will carry a minimum amount of mandatory gear at all times over the
course of the entire event. Each morning riders will rise for breakfast, also provided by Gemini Events, and an early morning start of the
next stage from the site of the tent city.
This bike tour is run in conjunction
with the Desert R.A.T.S. running race, now in its 5th year so family members are encouraged to
travel alongside runners but are not allowed to provide physical support.
The 40-mile section is certainly the greatest
challenge with most of the climbing for the week done on this day.
This day is followed up with an optional day off, resting on a soft sandy
beach or to get back in the saddle for a short out and back ride. Each
day will have additional trail suggestions for riders looking to further
explore the beautiful landscape.
Riders finishing the entire 148-mile course will
arrive in Moab, UT with the satisfaction of having completed the ultimate
desert ride. That night, riders and runners are invited to a post race
get-together open to family and friends.
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Desert R.A.T.S. will provide
tents and meals for riders, including a hot meal at night. In the morning,
breakfast will be provided prior to the start of the stage. During the day
snack foods and sandwiches will be available. Sleeping and overnight supplies will be
transported to the camp area for the riders.
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Daily outdoor camping will be at
pre-selected sites. Gemini Events provides tents (6-8
persons per tent). Participants may use their free time to prepare their
set up for the night and for medical care, if necessary.
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An Expedition Journal will be
supplied to each competitor upon check in. This book will reveal the
exact course and will include maps, course description, crew information
and various points of interest along the course.
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Each evening a briefing will be given relating to the next days' stage by
the organizers.
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We strongly urge that each
rider have the capability to carry 100 oz. of
liquid.
This is a general description of
the course with exact details being given at the beginning of the ride.
Each rider will be given an Expedition Journal with a course description and
daily safety requirements. This Expedition Journal must be carried with the
riders at all times and be presented at all aid stations. All mileage
on this page is approximate but will be updated for exact distances at the
time of the ride. There will be additional trail suggestions for
riders looking to get more distance but riders are required to check in at
aid stations for safety reasons.
Day 1: (20
miles) From Loma to Rabbit Valley this section is truly one of the most
beautiful sections of the entire course. Amazing canyons and overlooks
make this section a great way to start the race. Two water drops will be available.
Day 2: (39 miles) From Rabbit
Valley to Fish Ford you will get your first taste of how remote this trail
could make you feel. A climb to the top of the mesa will
add a nice steep half mile challenge in the middle of the day. One aid
station and two water drops will be available, the aid station is as you hit
the Westwater pavement and the water drop is after the pavement ends four
miles later. The next water drop is just as the road begins the long
gradual descent toward Cisco Boat Landing.
Day 3: (18 miles) One aid station will be available
as riders cross Highway 128. As you enter the trail you
will travel through remote rolling cow pastures and over slickrock, until you
finally make the climb away from the river. Although there are many
twists and turns, the riding is good until you cross Highway 128 where you
will encounter some short sandy sections.
Day 4: (40 miles) Upon
leaving camp, riders will immediately cross Highway 128 and begin a long
climb. After the water drop at 5 miles riders will experience the most remote section
this trail has to offer and will have to watch the road signs
carefully. After that, the trail widens and will be a steady
non-technical climb for the rest of the day.
Day 5: Day 5 riders are faced with a
choice to either go for a short out and back ride or enjoy the day on a soft
sand beach swimming in the Colorado River.
Day 6: (26 miles) A wonderful finish to such an arduous
week is a fun mixed ride finishing at the Slickrock parking lot. Starting with
the steep climb on pavement this section will allow beautiful views of the
La Sal mountains and Fisher Valley to the east. A fast downhill on jeep road
brings you to a short out and back on the legendary Porcupine Rim trail.
The wonderful ride will finish at the Slickrock trail parking lot and the finish line. The
aid stations are as the Kokopelli's trail leaves the pavement and on the
short out and back which racers will hit twice.
Cost:
Standard Registration: $900
Riders accompanying a runner: $750
Registration
form
Mountain Bike Rentals:
In Fruita -
Singletracks at the Park
Hotel
In Moab -
Rim Cyclery
Poison Spider
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