By:Cameron Stockton
Sometime during the summer of 2024 while working part-time at the shop I was invited to join THE WTB MOAB TRIP. I had heard tales of this trip among the gang while wrenching away on occasion. It always sounded so amazing, especially with me wondering how I would ever make anything like that happen for myself. During the invitation discussions, I was apprehensive because of the always dreaded excuses of time and money. I was told, “You probably shouldn’t go, unless of course you’re into life changing experiences.” – MJ. Thankfully, this tipped the scales in my decision to go.
A few of us rented; some had their bikes flown out, but I rented a full-sus trail rig from Poison Spider Bike Shop in Moab. I had never seen a bike completely covered in frame protection tape. Like every available square centimeter covered. AMAZING!
Day 1- Dead Horse (14mi/ 850ft)
The plan on the first day was to land, travel to Moab, retrieve our bikes and go hit Deadhorse MTB Trail. I was lucky enough to travel with people that I have been multiple times. So, the details were all ironed out. I have heard of horror stories in which people ride without knowledge and go backwards up trails like Porcupine Rim! We rode Deadhorse on purpose for the first day. It’s an easier trial with a great view (they all have great views), so it’s a great transition from the plane to the desert, and for what’s to come.
Day 2- Navajo Rocks (18mi/1850ft)
Navajo Rocks was the first time I got to feel the desert. We left the van into the vast expansion of large wind eroded rocks, sand, and cacti. Amazing views, crazy climbs, even crazier descents. Hot and dry conditions mixed with my great level of enthusiasm to ride as quickly as possible have left me about 5 miles to the van, but no more water… I ride for some time without complaining because i understand how valuable that commodity is and how others will need what they have as well. However, I asked one of my compatriots for a bit and they obliged me. Just enough to wet the whistle, but not even a drop in the bucket to quench my thirst. I was in a deficit, and that little bit was but a payment going fully to interest. Finally, the van appears after a grueling climb up some very steep and dry rock faces.
Day 3- Porcupine Rim (22mi/879ft)
Everyone who has daydreamed or done any research at all knows about Porcupine Rim. The little sister of the Whole Enchilada. Our group was split into what to do, so half of us did W.E., and the other half did P.R. The shuttle drops you off near the top and for W.E. you must start your day with a massive climb to make your way to the very top of the mountain. For us, less adventurous P.R.r’s, we were driven back down just a bit, then dropped off at another location to begin. While the milage has trended upwards all week, here the elevation kicks back down; that is because this is a descent day. In our 22-mile journey we lose 4200 ft! This was the most amazing day for me. Sure, it’s mostly downhill, but some of this is used as jeep tracks. “Sandwiches on a rock” was the goal of the day and it was met.
Day 4- Hiking
Delicate Arche and Devils Garden. We had to leave crazy early for these one. Believe it or not, many more people hike in Moab versus MTB. Crazy right? Anyways, we had to beat the crowd, which we did. Welp I was BOOED at D.A. Many onlookers awaiting a sunrise shot got mad when I decided to walk up and have my photo taken by a friend of mine. They began to boo, and then everyone did. IDK if you have ever been booed by complete strangers in a strange place, but I don’t recommend it. However, after the great shaming was over, we traveled further into the arches’ acres and picked up trash from a hole under the hoard. They didn’t go pick up trash, they just posted their videos and photos online as if they created something unique, so I would say they were the problem, not me. Anyways the day continued with that being a great way for us to now know how to express our disproval of anything in the Moab way. BBBBOOOOOOO!!
After hiking, some of the guys still decided to go have fun somewhere doing something. I wouldn’t know because I hung out at the pool, drank a bunch of beers, and looked at cliff faces off in the distance.
Day 5- Colorado (26mi/2400ft)
We had two places to be in Colorado. The first set of trails were McInnis Canyons Natioanl Conservation. Up and down and some technical chunky stuff. It was really fun, but the real trouble was ahead. The second trail should have raised flags with how happy a particular member of the tribe was about it. However, we moved on. If anyone ever asks you to ride Zippity Do-Da, you absolutely should and you should do into it with no prior knowledge at all. The idea of riding a roller coaster is coming back to my mind.
Have you ever asked any old lady who makes your milkshakes, how in fact she would shake those milks? Spoiler alerts; they won’t like it.
Day 6- Captain Ahab (8mi/1306ft) 
“Put your big boy pants on for this one. Everything you have been through this week has been carefully crafted to prepare you for this trail”. Everything on this trail was hard. First, you have to traverse a dried-up creek bed full of sand. Then you climb approximately 800ft over 4 miles. Lots of fun stuff, but some super scary stuff. Then, at the top, you take your group photo, then you head down. Heading down is descending 800ft over 4 miles. The level of exposure is maximum, don’t make a mistake, don’t slow down, and pay, pay, pay attention. You don’t even get to see the 300 ft drop if you’re focused on not crashing the bike. But if you get a glimpse, you put it out of your mind quickly as there are more potentially future altering maneuvers to make. If you make it all the way down to the last bit of reprieve, you might want to drop a drive side pedal and let it strike a large rock on the ground. This will surely send you OTB, down an embankment, coming to a stop just before a now small 20 ft drop off. After you realize what has happened and that none of your bones seem to be broken, the dust literally settles. Some strangers will be heading in the direction you were coming from, and they will ask if you’re okay while your compatriots will be too busy laughing. Wouldn’t change any of it. Thanks for the invite!!