The Fruita/Grand Junction Adventure of 2007
Just returned from three days of bike riding, moto riding and business meetings. Ripping singletrack is the new golf. Today is tired but happy.
The more you click, the more I can post. Lee Likes Groceries dot com! |
The photos could have been more abundant and better composed, but this trip was more about ripping than reporting.
Monday
Fireman Jeff and I drove to Grand Valley OHV Area in Grand Junction and let fly.
![]() I didn’t throw down for the Sprinter because it’s easy to park. KTM 450 EXC, Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper, Specialed Enduro SL, Honda CRF450X. |
![]() And out they come. Jeff does the honors. |
![]() Tons of hills and ridges and washes. It’s a skate park for motorcycles. Here’s our November 2005 adventure. |
![]() I picked a random trail, and it went up up up … Jeff plans his next move. |
Tuesday
![]() We had the place to ourselves. Such is the pleasure of being a firefighter or a freelancer — flexible schedules baby! |
We rode moto at the Rabbit Valley OHV area near the Utah border, and it was so dang good there are no photos. Random snippets:
Pulling 3rd gear across sand whoops, bap-bap-juuuump bap-bap-juuuuuuump! Blipping 1st gear singletrack, up rock ledges and along a tire-wide sidecut with oblivion on the outside; must … look … forward. 10 nonstop miles of whoops, ups, downs and tree slaloms. Imagine the best MTB singletrack, heart rate of 140bpm, just working and pumping and braaaping nonstop. Hard to beat.
We drove to the 18 Road trailhead in Fruita, where we ran into Kyle from Yeti-RPM. The three of us rocked Kessle Run not once, but twice. Miles of rollers and berms snake down an almost rock-free wash. The climb is so easy and the descent is so sweet — oh man. Said Jeff, “this is the first time a decent seemed longer than the climb.” Kessle Run is so blessed, I can see that being the case.
Wednesday
Today Jeff and I split up. While I got my ass kicked by trainer James Wilson (more on that soon), Jeff explored the east end of the Kokopelli Trail on moto. The trail winds 140 miles from Fruita to Moab, and that seems like a good project.
After the training session, James and I met Ryan Cranston at his house. Ryan races DH and SD for Yeti, and he works for MRP. Good guy. He took on his local loop, which did not suck.
Back to work. Next adventure: Moab around March 20.
Awesome stuff !!
Here in CT the riding sucks but seeing your trip pictures and reading about the fun keeps me inspired!
thanks
mike
Hey that looks sweet!! We are still covered in snow out in the northeast. hope to get on the road this weekend where the temps will be above freezing for the first time in forever.
I was wondering about a review on the Enduro SL?????? I just got one and I’ve only ridden it once for about 4 hours and loved every minute of it. I wanted to get your thoughts on the suspension set up for drops and jumps. I love the fork, but seem to bottom it out on even smaller drops. I put more air in it, but haven’t had a chance to ride it again. When I had the recommended air pressure for me (I’m 160lbs) I thought it was a bit soft. I still think it is the best bike I’ve ever ridden though. Thanks!!!!
Hey Patrick,
My Enduro SL has FOX suspension, so I can’t comment on setting up the Specialized stuff. But I’m supposed to get it soon …
I’ll tell you this: That bike rips!
living vicariously through your words and pix, keep it up lee! we need it badly on the mud soaked east coast! sorry to hear about rufie, i think the homeland trip is a great idea!
You were here and you didn’t say hi? Poor form Lee, but I’m glad you had a goodtime.
You’re right: Not cool.
I passed Over The Edge Sports on the way to 18 Road thinking I’d drop by on the way back, but after riding the shop was closed. I’ll be back out that way in a couple weeks …
Oh man, I miss Fruita. Lee, is that last riding shot from the Lunch Loop area in Grand Junction? (looks like bentonite hill)
btw… Rode the demo forest today. Great traction, no dust, good friends, and lots of jumps. A damned fine day.
Scott! Yep, that’s the Lunch Loop. Great stuff! Sweet on the Demo … you’re jumping!!!???!!! Awesome. 🙂
Lee. The Lunch Loop area kicks butt. Did you get a chance to ride Holy Cross? Awesome flow, and the turn that goes around and under the huge boulder is amazingly cool. Our buddy Kevin Foote lives in that same area. (he’s the guy who designed a lot of the best trails around Fruita and GJ)
I hesitate to call what I’m doing ‘jumping’. I ride off the end of ramps and keep my front wheel up. No gaps, and certainly no style.
Give the chow-buddy a tummy rub from me. I miss that guy. Azoo jabba jabba!
Holy Cross = YES!!!!
Dude, what a trail. That’s the kind of trail 6″ trail bikes are made for. Riding it with Ryan Cranston was a bonus — he knows every detail “Lee, around this bush is a rock, hit it with speed and double it …”
Keep rocking your jmp kung fu. Next time I see you ‘ll show you the secrets; with all your riding experience, it’ll be a snap.
Rufus says AZOO JABBA JOOO!!!!!
Sorry to hear about Rufus… hope he pulls through. I hear the labrador coast is spectacular…
Oh, and nice trip too… sounds as close to perfection as you can get…
Thanks re: Rufus, and you’re right about the trip. A great bro, great trails, bikes, motos, The Rufus … Living the life!
I did that trip last year when I split up with my s/o of 9 years… actually I did two trips: one to the Chilcotins for some backcountry riding that is unsurpassed in my books and one to Les Gets in France that has some of the best riding I’ve ever done as well (I highly recommend both). In both places the good camaraderie of close friends made them trips to remember for the rest of my life.
good luck dude… hope you enjoy your new life as much as I am…
Thanks brother. The world is an oyster, and her shell is opening for me …
Or something like that!!! 🙂
Vermont is on the way to labrador.. http://www.stowemtnbike.com for sniggle info@teamdarksidemoto for brapin.. Lamoille county yo.
Wow, I was just searching for s-works on google images and came up with this. I’ve just spent the day at work dreuling over the new 2008 specialized bikes coming out, especially the s-works beasts!!!
It looks like you guys have your lives made!! KTM 450 and an s-works stumpy…..
I’m just custom building an sx trail III frame at work at the moment. It’s burning a hole in my pocket but it’s going to be bloody amazing!! I’ve also got a Suzuki RM250 (2 stroke all the way). I just need the merc sprinter to go with it all.
That looks like an amazing place to ride mtb and mx!!
Remember, MONEY’S FOR SPENDING!!!