20 Porcupine Rim, Utah; Great Memories!

Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—all who seek the LORD! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Isaiah 51:1

It was 4:30 a.m. and the dirt road that leads to the Porcupine Rim trailhead was rocky and steep.  The truck, bikes, and gear rattled while a couple of us sang the Star Spangled Banner to the vibrations our throats and lungs made from the washboard dirt road.  The cool air and dew-sprinkled morning was a reminder of how glad I was that we were beginning this ride early, before the unforgiving Moab heat would begin to scorch our body and dry our throats.

When we arrived at the trailhead, the bikes and gear were unloaded, photos were taken with the deep canyon as our backdrop, and it was time to start the ride!  The first destination was an overlook at the top of the rim. It’s the midpoint of the ride and has a spectacular view. Just when I thought I would never get there, I reached it and my eyes scanned the expanse of canyons, mesas, and the desert floor in the far distance.

After a short break we attacked the downhill. Across the saddle and down the single track, riders spun, jumped, dropped, and slid. The sun began to rise higher and higher, and the temperature began to bake my skin. The “Little Colorado,” river could be seen over the edge below, and I wished I was swimming in it, rather than experiencing the intense heat far above.

The trail became steeper and narrower. Small trees, bushes, and grass began to cover the landscape. There were places my bike needed to be carried in order to maneuver the huge boulders and tight crevices. Finally,  the fast descent was reached, and the end of the trail was minutes away. All riders had made it without too many injuries, and there were yelps of joy! It was back-to-camp for a swim, some lunch, and good laughs.  

There is nothing like it–Porcupine Rim, Utah is a favored trail for many riders to be to be tackled not once, but several times on a mountain biking trip. I can still feel my heart pound when I think of the great memories made on the Rim!

I am grateful for the opportunity to have found and ridden extraordinary mountain bike trails.  My hope is to never forget them and to always promote these spectacular places for others to see and ride. I also want to consider where my blessings come from, the Rock from where I was carved.

Challenge 20: One of the things I practiced was to record my rides in a journal.  I didn’t want to forget the thrill of the rides, the camaraderie I experienced, or the sense of victory when we’d finished a tough climb and tackled a “sick” downhill.  Do you have any rides you want to remember?  Record your experience in writing or photos—maybe one day you’ll read your journal and be inspired to ride again and again—and leave a comment! Thanks.

Video courtesy of Youtube: Trail Peek