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Slickrock Bike Trail:
Utah
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Description:
From the Trail Website (www.utah.com): The trail that made Moab the self-proclaimed center of the mountain biking universe needs no introduction. Today, Slickrock is perhaps the most popular mountain bike trail in the world, boasting over 100,000 visitors per year. But did you know that the Slickrock Bike Trail was first developed by motorcyclists in 1969? They still use it periodically but mountain bikers have long since adopted and dominated the trail since the mid 1980s. The word "slickrock" was derived from early settlers whose metal- shod horses found the expanses of barren rock slick to cross. Mountain bikers find just the opposite is true because the naked sandstone is as "slick" as coarse sandpaper. This unique medium is a proving ground for many bike manufacturers because it allows a mountain bike to be ridden to its fullest expression. The traction between stone and tires can hold a bike at gravity defying angles, which can prove intimidating at first. But once mastered, or at least tolerated, the free-flowing nature of Slickrock might very well be the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Sections of the trail named "Faith in Friction, Steep Creep, and Baby Bottom Bowl" give colorful insight to the trail's demeanor.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Slickrock trail and the Sand Flats Recreation Area begin about 2.5 miles from the center of Moab. Follow the Sand Flats Road from the intersection of Mill Creek Drive - about 300 South Street. Signs mark the way. There is a $5 per car entrance to use the area for the day, more to camp or for a week-long pass. The Slickrock trailhead has a paved parking area, restrooms, a Dumpster and information booths but no running water.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
This trail is open nearly year round. Located in southern Utah in the desert, the temperature stays rather high all year. One small suggestion: start out early in the morning on this trail since the temperature can reach, and pass, 108 degrees.
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Slickrock is NOT a Rails Trail
By jjpnenglish on August 15, 2008
Don't be fooled by going to Slickrock thinking you'll be riding on an old railroad bed. This is an expert trail that goes up and down the steepest petrified sand dunes in the world. They are hard to walk on, let alone ride. You need to have superb bike handling skills or you will get hurt. It can take unskilled riders as much as 8 hours to finish the loop. Any temps over 80 degrees will risk heatstroke since the slickrock bounces all the heat back at you. You need a minimum of 100 oz of water with you. And forget it in the rain since that's why it's called SLICKrock. Is it fun? It is ABSOLUTELY the best ride in Moab (if you have a lot of experience on a mountain bike). But please, don't underestimate this trail.
Trials Bikes on Slickrock
By Scott Clark on April 09, 2005
"I love the Moab area and have been going there to ride my vintage 1974 Suzuki RL250 Trials Bike for over 30 years now. The slickrock trail is one of the funnist trails I've ever been on. There are a lot of trials trails that are more diffecult, but none that has the awesome beauty of the desert like Slickrock has. Maybe I'll see you there next time! P.S. While you are in Moab, you owe it to yourself to check out Poision Spider Mesa also. This is an excellent trail for MT. bikers and Trials bikes. Happy trailing! "