Fruita, Part 2 (Kokopelli’s)
We rode the Kokopelli’s trail systems today. Started out Mary’s Loop to Rustler’s Loop. Rustler’s is a “Practice Loop” and considered beginner, but it is fast and fun in its own right. Back onto Mary’s, then onto Horsethief Bench. The entrance/exit to Horsethief is GNARLY rock drops. I’d love to see someone actually ride it clean. Horsethief was awesome — great views of the Colorado River, riding on the edge, rocks, ledges, both up and down. Then it was back onto Mary’s and then Steve’s Loop and Handcuffs. More rocks and ledges. Some portage. Back on Mary’s, we passed the bottom of Lion’s loop and went on up to Mack Ridge. Mack would have been MUCH better as a downhill run (for future reference, I think we should have taken the left onto Lions and connected to Mack in the other direction). About halfway up Mack’s, I bonked. Pushed a bunch of climbs that I would normally ride. Rode down the other half of Lions at the top of Mack’s for a fast, loose, rocky double-track downhill. Then back onto the gravel frontage road back to the trailhead.
Horsethief:
Up close:
I’m not sure how far we rode, but we stopped a lot to take pictures and try technical sections a few times. We probably rode for about 6 hours. It was very hot.
Things that would have been good on this ride: More sunblock. Butt’r. More water.
I surprised myself and did a few technical rocky sections that pushed my skills. No falls. The trails today were tighter, fast (in most sections), some portage over rocky sections that I’m guessing aren’t ridable for ANYONE. Overall, the trails were nice and rocky and most of it ridable. Some areas reminded me of a technical Dupont.
I think Brian and I both agreed that we liked this area better than Bookcliffs.
I got the “right” bike this time. Pivot Mach 5…. It was AWESOME!
Tom — we tried to go to Hot Tomato for dinner (the place across from OTE). They were closed “for cleaning”? We ended up at the El Tapatio next to the hotel. Typical Mexican food.
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