He - Moab Day 4

Wednesday started with cold and rain and we decided to follow its lead and just take a rest day.

But Thursday came back with a vengeance.

The plan was Klondike Bluff up to Baby steps and then doing an afternoon ride at Merrimac. Spoiler alert: We didn't make it over to Merrimac.

The whole Klondike Bluff and Baby Step loop was recommended to us earlier in the week. Some dirt road, some slick rock, some single track. How bad could it be?

Let's just say that "Baby Steps" was anything but.

After a few miles of dirt road and some sandy washes we began to climb up Klondike. Not overly technical but some exciting sections. After some debate over directions...which luckily worked out in favor of my internal compass, we were climbing on seemingly endless slick rock. For those that don't know this term, imagine football fields of solid rock tilted at odd angles with corrugation that ranges from benign to unrideable.

This was mostly benign, but steep none the less. Each time we thought we reached the top, another section would present itself. The trade off was the views were getting better all the time. Once we crested the bluff things began to get interesting. Mostly fast single track but a few killer climbs strewn with loose rock and soul crushing inclines.

It was on one of these sections of single track that we broke through to another level of riding. Climbing in a higher gear we blasted over a small climb and kept our momentum as the tandem began to glide...instead of bash...over rocks. Think of it as the difference between stumbling and dancing.

Now the fun begins...or as Lea puts it...the constant fear of life and limb.

The trails drops down a section of ledge strewn slick rock for miles. It literally never seems to end. But each drop is cleared and I think we were both more that a little impressed by our skills and the bikes ability to take a beating.

Twenty some odd miles and were back at the car. A little bruised, very tired, but successful at a trail that would be challenging for most people on singles...much less a tandem.