An Epic Ride

"Mile for mile, the most challenging (race) I've everthe Kokopelli Trail end, in Moab. This would entail a
done." This quotes the 2003 "Grand Loop" speed60 mile round trip to Moab and back to the
record holder. His record has since been broken.junction of the Kokopelli and Paradox trails. I
Heed his words or read no further. I can not becannot emphasize enough (again) the difficulty and
responsible for the consequences if you are notbeauty of the loop experience.
heedful. This ride is not for ninnies. Those mightPlease spend diligent time preparing in order to
die trying.extract guaranteed enjoyment and safety. If I
Of all the activities I enjoy, I find that bicycling ishad my way I would take a month to do the 390
the thing that most unencumbers my spirit. Theremile trip, for an optimal experience. Some sections
is a 390 mile mountain bike trail (includes Coloradoare one mile per hour stuff. Some sections are 20
National Monument mileage. I've seen estimates asmile per hour speedways. HELLO! ONE GALLON
low as 370 miles but better over prepared thanOF WATER PER PERSON, PER DAY, IS AN
under prepared, right?) available in the Great BasinABSOLUTE MINIMUM! IF A PERSON IS THIRSTY
Desert and mountains of Colorado and Utah that IHE IS ALREADY IN TROUBLE. WHEN WATER IS
hope will do the same for other people. This loopHALF GONE THE RIDE IS HALF DONE FOR THE
trail is a combination of the Kokopelli, Paradox, andDAY. NO EXCEPTIONS! If riding unsupported
Tabeguache trails. It can be done with 4wdwater availability will be a problem or a least an
support at defined access points.added challenge. I believe that the photographic
So it is possible to bike during the day and sleep inhighlights are at the beginning of the Kokopelli,
a comfortable bed at night if desired (with preciseFisher Towers, Castle Valley, and the mountains
planning). This of course is an expensive option, asand aspens in early to mid October. Check out
comforts always are. Timing is critical for thisthe Hanging Flume near Uravan, Colorado, although
extraordinary ride. The desert sections are tooit is not very photogenic. Again, COPMOBA is an
hot (can be deadly) in summer. The highlandexcellent resource for judging difficulty and speed.
sections are too cold and impassable in late fallMaybe you can do the loop in a week, maniac
through early summer (unless you love hike-a-bikeman. The record is about 3 days. Because it's
in the spring thaw slush). I recommend starting atthere, I guess. I put that feat on the insanity
the Kokopelli trailhead at Loma, Colorado andscale with vertical climbing with just chalked hands,
heading toward Moab, Utah in order to time yourclimbing Mt. Everest without oxygen, and
intersecting of the Paradox and Tabeguache trailsperforming in triathalons. Some people have their
for about October 10th, the peak of typicalpain and pleasure sensors reversed. Much of the
Colorado autumn color in the mountains. It takestrail consists of great singletrack, implying some
me all day (5 or six hours is all day for a 55 yearhike-a-bike. Some parts are backcountry roads. A
old kid) to reach the Utah border from Loma.very few sections are paved. You'll get over that.
This is only about 15 miles but I am ancient. TheSome junctions and sections are indistinct. Study,
following section I can zip through doubly fast.study and use a compass and topo map (or your
Judge your skills realistically and enjoy thisfavorite reliable direction finding resource). An
experience, which I am convinced has to be oneimportant disclosure: When you finish the
of the best available in the world for mountainTabeguache Trail in Grand Junction, Colorado it
biking enthusiasts. I have done the whole loop sodoes not connect to the Kokopelli trailhead.
most mountain bicyclists can manage it withI like to head toward the Colorado National
proper guidance and preparation. So, ride theMonument (left down Monument Road a short
Kokopelli approximately 116 miles, intersect anddistance) and traverse the paved National Park
travel on the Paradox (turns left at GatewayService road from east to west. This will cost 3
Road) 105 miles, which is its total length, intersectbucks per bicycle but is well worth it. After
and travel left on the Tabeguache approximatelycompleting the Colorado Monument road you will
118 miles to Grand Junction, Colorado atbe in Fruita in 2 miles and must take the
Monument Road. Important note: If the loop isinterstate highway westbound about 4 miles to
done as an intersecting trail (which is the correctexit #15 and the Kokopelli trailhead. If you are an
"Grand Loop") about 25 miles of the Kokopelli andavid mountain biker I promise that you will enjoy
25 miles of the Tabeguache will be missed.one of the best experiences of your life on this
Very general elevation changes are as follows forloop ride. The pain was worth it for me. You will
the mountain bike loop: from 4500 ft. to 8400 ft.be whipped though. I did the ride sectionally,
to 4700 ft. to 9500 ft. to 5000 ft. to 7500 ft.meaning out-and-back, on an old (1996 model)
(quick ascent) to 4500 ft. Individual trail elevationSpecialized Stumpjumper hardtail. A great bike. It
variances are: Kokopelli (142 miles): 4200-8400 ft.could do more than I could do.
Paradox (105 miles): 4700-9500 ft. TabeguacheIf you have a thing about only riding clockwise,
(142 miles): 4500-9500 ft. Excellent maps of theyou could start at the Tabeguache trailhead in
trails are available atGrand Junction, Colorado. It is my belief, however,
copmoba>>trails>>trail maps. Pleasethat this option is a little more resistant to
support this important organization. They also signseasonal timing.
the trail and signage was pretty good when IAddendum: The summer wildflowers in the high
rode. Vandalism of signs will apply discomfort andcountry of the Uncompahgre Plateau
necessitate some back-tracking, no doubt. I(Tabeguache) and La Sal Mountains (Kokopelli) are
cannot discount the possibility of extra time beingexquisite. However, desert regions are very
allotted for the famed Slickrock Trail, which is atuncomfortable and dangerous during this time.