White Rim Bike Trip

Last April my Uncle Tom invited me and Clint to go on the White Rim trail with him, Tommy, Steve, Todd, and Doug. Tom kindly made all reservations and arrangements. I haven't had much time to blog about it so here it is 4 months late.

The White Rim trail is an awesome trail in Canyonlands near Moab. The trail is about a 100 mile loop and is full of crazy awesome views. We spent 3 days and 2 nights on the trail.

Also for those of you who may not know me very well, the commentary may or may not be true, but it might be funny. (I hope)

This is a the very beginning, there was an awesome downhill section then a whole lot of uphill.

Before even starting Steve had his 1st breakdown, a flat tire compounded by me braking his composite, threaded quickrelease Skewer, which in my defence looks identical to a typical Skewer, so how the heck was I supposed to know it was threaded, Steve? I'm sorry okay Steve, now please stop giving me the silent treatment!

Julio , Steve, Todd, Tommy, Uncle Tom, Me, Clinton, Julio's Van in the background

Here's another angle, if you look closely you can see Julio behind Clint

Steve's Dad Doug followed us with all the food and gear.

"Are you talkin to me? Yeah, that IS cheese on my chest, you got a problem with that?"

Steve showing off some of his sweet moves, this is an intimidation move he uses in court. It is also used to impress the ladies.

Todd filled his camelback up with Milk, he loves it because it starts out cold, then gets warm, then turns to cottage cheese, then sour creme.

Steve (our camp Mother) holding Clints ankles while he looked off the cliff.

After drinking 2 liters of milk Todd suddenly didn't feel well enough to ride so he kicked Doug out of his own truck.

Me and Clint trying to pose for a photo while a million gnats landed on our faces.

After riding all day we finally reached our camp. My butt has never hurt so bad in my life. Fortunately Steve led us in some stretches so our legs didn't get too sore.

Um, I'm not sure what to say about this one...Nice socks?

  

Day 2, leaving our first camp. Its crazy how those bikes somehow ended up positioned perfectly like that.

Steve's 2nd breakdown, flat tire.

 

Another crazy steep climb.

"ew, whats that smell?"

Tommy refused to smile, or even acknowledge that I wanted a photo because my camera is not "elite" enough for him.

While out, Clint and I took the opportunity to take some photos for the cover of our new album

Examining Steve's 3rd breakdown: Broken Chain

This mysterious Raven followed us around. There is an ancient Indian legend that tells of the ravens joining together and forming a Man called Ravenman...True story.

Just off the trail we found a sweet little slot canyon to go check out

Another awesome view on the trail.

It took forever to get this one because first, Tommy refused to have his photo taken by an inferior camera. Second we had to wait for Steve to find his sunglasses so he could look cool in the pic.

Uncle Tom riding along the trail next to the Green River, which means we were at the lowest point and would be climbing very shortly.

This photo doesn't do this road justice, it was insanely steep.

After reaching the top, Clint, in anger, urinated on the road to show his hatred for its steep incline.

Sand really sucks to ride through

Our last nights camp spot was right next to the green river, it was a pretty sweet camping spot.

Awesome sunset at our last camp

Everyone taking pics. of a cloud in the exact shape of the Virgin Mary crying, Tom said it was a true sign from heaven. It later turned into an Elephant, then a dog, and then a normal cloud... Very inspirational!

Another sweet move, how to get out of a boring meeting, fake a seizure, works every time.

Day 3. After a nice flat 2 mile ride we were getting ready for the final and most difficult climb

 

We just had to climb to the top of this small mountain.

Tommy wouldn't stop riding directly behind the cows, he claimed to be drafting, I have my doubts.

Todd, showing me a new technique "how to cool off your junk without stopping"

All finished. No, my camelback didn't explode!

After the long ride we went to Moab to grub out at the Mexican restaurant and headed home. I hate when a good adventure comes to an end (sad face)

Things I learned from this trip:

1. If you are going to ride 100 miles off road (or anywhere for that matter) it would be a good idea to do a little riding beforehand.
2. Its not a bad idea to bring something to help with muscle recovery. Thank goodness Steve had our back on that one.
3. Always wear your chamois (butt padding) I went the first day without wearing mine and regretted it for the rest of the trip.
4. Garbage bags are an adequate substitute for luggage. Learned that from Clinton.
5. If you go on a trip with Todd, no need to pack extra food for him he will just eat the scraps. Our first lunch everyone was hungry and exhausted, he ate 3 potato chips and half of a Mtn. Dew.
6. If you are going to help someone fix his flat, make him remove the wheel himself.
7. Anyone's bike can break, only Steve's bike can break 4 times in one trip.
8. If you bring a snowboarding coat for rain gear you will still get wet (from sweating) learned that from Tommy
9. Uncle Tom's patience on not getting paid for the trip lasts about 3 months, then he will break your legs if he doesn't get some money. Sorry about that Tom, I forgot okay.
10. Cannon cameras are more "Elite" than all others. That what Tommy says.
11. If you bring absolutely no biking clothing Steve has extras that he will sell you at a discounted rate. Clint
12. Pretty much every photo of Steve is freaking hilarious.
13. Clint really needs to get his own bike to go with his newly acquired biking apparel.
14. You can get anything from "Steep n Cheap" if you wait long enough, or don't mind getting an odd size or color.
15. If you tell Clint we are leaving 1.5 hours earlier than we really are he will only be 10 minutes late.

I also wanted to thank Tom (even though he will probably never read this) for inviting us, making all arrangements, and patiently waiting for months for us to pay our portion of what we owe, and not physically harming me for taking forever to pay him.