backcountry skiing with the foothill freak

 

November 6th to the 8th, 2005

3 Days on the White Rim Trail
The freak has been scheming to ride his BMW f650 from Salt Lake, around the White Rim trail and back. But would it be possible? He decided the best way to scope it out would be to ride it first on a self powered bike backed up by a fully overloaded support vehicle. There was more food, wet wipes and diapers than we could ever hope to consume in three days, but hey, that's life on the edge of the white rim.

Petra overlooking the colorado
Day One: Supa Slovenka overlooks the Colorado River.

 

Seamus on Mussleman Arch
Don't trip as you finesse your way across mussleman arch.

 


Here are the four lost bikers that followed us to camp in search of water and hydrogenated power snacks.

 


I've seen the desert and the damage done. The open road reflected on the bumper of the sag wagon.

 


Here's our dedicated driver after a hard morning of "driving the shit outta that truck!" (actual quote from previous trip). Supa Slovenka stares menancingly from within.

 

specialized FSR
This seemed liked the perfect spot to take a pict of my totally bad ass machine of a mountain bike.

 

piki peek a boo
Piki Peek a Boo

 

atlas shrugged
This guy passed through our camp on his trek across america. He hopes to be the first to carry a 20 gallon tupperware from coast to coast. Good luck Rubbermade Man!

 


Sunset of day 2. A touching moment before the kitchen zar forced us to eat pesto pasta with fresh pine nuts, parmesan, wine and a side of creamy tomato minestra. The rigors of camping aren't for everyone.

 

no soup for you!
What's tha Matta with you?.. Our camp on Murphy's hog back. Someone drank too much and walked off a 60 ft cliff here a week earlier. After checking out a tent site right on the edge of the cilff, I opted for one a little further inland.

 


On the morning of our last day I woke up really having to go to the bathroom. Then I saw this amazing orange light and grabbed my camera. I managed to only take two shots before the warm glow completely dissappeared.

 


Some pictures, no matter what you do, are just going to turn out well.

 

white rim trail above mineral bottom
Here's the whole Famn Damily, minus our dedicated driver. Piki shown in full camelback suction mode.

 


The White Rim locals are waaaay tough. Whatever you do, don't look them in the eye...

Well, the white rim 2005 ride was a total success. So successful that, unfortunately, there aren't any epic stories to tell. It's enough to make you want to go and ride all 100 miles in one day so you have something to report. Or, if you're really dying for a good story, feel free to borrow one of my roomates motorcycles and ride it across mussleman arch. I dare you. Extra points for riding a wheelie.

As for riding the Beemer on the trail? It would be a fun way to travel the area, camp and spend more time hiking and running the trails. Some of the sand traps would be tricky with a 400 lb. bike so a little training on the dunes of the little sahara state park are in order. But that will have to wait. It's going to be ski season any second now...