I Live In An Exotic Locale

06.4.2009 | 11:16 am

Yesterday afternoon, I seriously needed to get out on a ride. So I IM’d Ricky M — Senior Member of the Core Team — and asked him if he could get out.

“Grove Parking Lot. 15 Minutes,” replied Ricky. I have no idea why he initial-caps every word like that.

Now, I’ve been wanting to re-film the Grove Canyon ride ever since Kenny and I rode it earlier this season and my batteries died, just as we began the downhill.

So I made sure to grab a fresh pack of batteries and got out the door.

And this is what we did:


Following this ride, I have the following observations to make:

  • Grove is the hardest-working climb I know of. 1800 feet of climbing, in 2.6 miles. And you feel every foot of it.
  • Grove is much, much more fun on a geared bike. I love singlespeeds, but — unless you’re Brad or Kenny — there are times when it’s really great to be able to shift to the granny gear. When I did this ride on my singlespeed earlier this year, I suffered so much I didn’t want to come back. Riding this on my geared bike yesterday, the trail was difficult, but still enjoyable.
  • When I’m riding the downhill on Grove (or anywhere), I look at the trail to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. As a result, I have never before noticed exactly how freaky and scary the stuff off to my left is. Now that I’ve seen the video, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do this downhill with confidence ever again.
  • Somehow, even when I’m as scared / worried / angry as I am right now, mountain biking helps. It’s really great to take a two-hour vacation from your troubles like that.
  • Ricky is incredibly fast on this downhill. I had thought I’ve become a fast descender, but I lost count of how many times Ricky dropped me on this descent. And this after he had said, “I’m feeling kind of tentative; I plan to take this descent slow and careful today.”
  • Dramatic canyons. Gorgeous waterfalls (not well-captured in the video — I have no zoom with the helmetcam). Cliffside trails. All within a ten-minute drive of my house. There’s simply no getting around it: I live in an exotic locale.

108 Comments

  1. Comment by dug | 06.4.2009 | 11:28 am

    you know, i think i’ve ridden grove probably a hundred times, but now that i’ve seen that video, i’ll never look at that exposure the same way. thanks. thanks a lot.

  2. Comment by plum | 06.4.2009 | 11:29 am

    That was FANTASTIC. Awesome video.

  3. Comment by Bryan | 06.4.2009 | 11:33 am

    I bow down to you Owbi-Wan.

    You guys are truly nut jobs.

  4. Comment by Jean from NY the state, not the city | 06.4.2009 | 11:34 am

    That’s some ride! I could barely watch the video in parts ’cause the trail was so narrow and the drop-offs so steep. Scary and awesome at the same time.

  5. Comment by mike | 06.4.2009 | 11:34 am

    Nice video. Exposure is mental. Just don’t crash. Death on the left is what makes it such a good trail. Keeps the riff raff out.

  6. Comment by Clay | 06.4.2009 | 11:39 am

    Great ride/mind vacation. Thanks for the video, amazing stuff to see for those of us that don’t live in such an exotic locale.

  7. Comment by Aaron | 06.4.2009 | 11:44 am

    Great video. next time I’m up that way, I have to ride that trail.

  8. Comment by clistyB | 06.4.2009 | 11:44 am

    so would it not be cool to run that trail? Is it a biker only kind of thing?
    Glad to know its not as scary IRL.

    Oh, it’s absolutely cool to run that trail. While Ricky and I were up there, I saw three groups of hikers / runners. They’re always surprised to see someone riding it. Much more foot traffic than riding traffic on this trail. – FC

  9. Comment by rich | 06.4.2009 | 11:46 am

    Wow….I used to think I was a mt biker….now after watching that I realize I’m really just a wuss posing as a mt biker. I would have walked a LOT of that trail….
    Awesome video…

  10. Comment by Grayduncs | 06.4.2009 | 11:48 am

    >>When I’m riding the downhill…I look at the trail to the exclusion of pretty much everything else.

    You do not notice that you are pedalling along a slim, slippery ribbon of dust and rock with nothing but fresh air where you could usually, reasonably be able to put down your foot?????? Impressive tunnel vision.

  11. Comment by mikeb | 06.4.2009 | 11:49 am

    Wow!

  12. Comment by lt | 06.4.2009 | 11:49 am

    can i open my eyes yet?

  13. Comment by 331miles | 06.4.2009 | 11:51 am

    Great video. I’ve hiked worse, but never ridden something that narrow and with wash outs that lead to…nothingness. Impressive.

  14. Comment by Susie | 06.4.2009 | 11:51 am

    I have only one question…how many people have D.I.E.D. riding that “freaking” trail???

  15. Comment by Gillian | 06.4.2009 | 11:56 am

    So, it’s official. I mean, I always suspected, but this video is proof, that mountain bikers have cojones of steel. (Even the chicks, Jill!)

    Holy freaking god, my heart is pounding just from WATCHING the thing!

  16. Comment by KanyonKris | 06.4.2009 | 12:04 pm

    Great video.

    I’m torn. Part of me wants to go ride Grove again today, another part wants to never ride it ever again.

  17. Comment by 100 km | 06.4.2009 | 12:07 pm

    Thanks for “exposing” us to that awesome ride Fatty. Those blind corners with sheer cliff on the left boggle my mind. The interesting thing about the video vs. reality is that you get a sense of the dangerous drop off to one side, but you don’t really sense the steepness of the descent and how much you’re braking (or not) for dear life. Based on Dug and your comments it sounds like it’s the opposite when you’re riding and focusing on the trail.

  18. Comment by Chris | 06.4.2009 | 12:08 pm

    That drop off looks terrifying.

  19. Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 06.4.2009 | 12:19 pm

    Holy Cliffs Batman! That looks insane to ride. I think I’d be hanging on for dear life if I attempted that ride. Probably better not to think about it while you’re riding.

  20. Comment by rexinsea | 06.4.2009 | 12:21 pm

    I’ve often found that mountain biking, like downhill skiing, forces concentration on the activity. So when I’m troubled a good mountain bike ride or day of skiing just resets everything, even for a little bit. You’re just forced to NOT think about whatever ails you. Spending time out in mountainy goodness also helps quite a bit. Great post!

  21. Comment by jtm | 06.4.2009 | 12:25 pm

    Wow, makes me glad be on the road bike.

  22. Comment by Greg | 06.4.2009 | 12:25 pm

    Holy cow! Reminds me of that first Imax movie I saw where the shot flies out over a cliff. I found myself backpedaling my office chair just to be sure I didn’t fall off onto the floor!

  23. Comment by Scott McQ | 06.4.2009 | 12:32 pm

    You guys are nuts…

  24. Comment by CLBlood | 06.4.2009 | 12:32 pm

    No way I would ride with that kind of risk involved. I would probably feel even more that way if I could play the video.

  25. Comment by Mike P | 06.4.2009 | 12:39 pm

    After that video the flat, flat land of Illinois is much less boring, and much more comforting. I think I suffered from vertigo just watching that video.

  26. Comment by SurlyCommuter | 06.4.2009 | 12:40 pm

    Devils Gulch and Mission Ridge over in Cashmere are about as close as we get to that kind of constant exposure. Serious pucker factor. Thanks for the vid –

    WIN!

  27. Comment by MattC | 06.4.2009 | 12:49 pm

    What a wickedly awesome trail! The higher the penalty for failure, the more intensely fun the ride! I’ll just jot that down as a ‘must ride’. Lots of those on the list though…just need the time. And I’ve GOTTA get a helmet cam. (HEY HEY HEY!!! Any chance you can use your superpowers to get a helmetcam system to raffle off for LiveStrong?? HMMMMM????) And speaking of raffles…what about the Kona Cadabra? Did I miss a day?? (I guess it could have happened…been rather busy lately).

  28. Comment by buckythedonkey | 06.4.2009 | 12:51 pm

    Like the troll music!

    WIN SUSAN!!

  29. Comment by Clydesteve | 06.4.2009 | 12:52 pm

    You know when we all watched that Danny Mac trials bike video a few weeks ago? And everyone was thinking “Holy %^@$%! Did he really just do that on a bike? Wow!”

    That’s how seeing that exposure make me feel watching this.

    Like someone else said, I have done worse exposure hiking – bad enough that my wife thought the dog was going to fall off the world and die unless she held on to him – but on a MTB? Nope. I am a sedate trail rider, apparently.

  30. Comment by bikemike | 06.4.2009 | 12:56 pm

    uhhh, YIKES! and stuff.

  31. Comment by Clydesteve | 06.4.2009 | 12:57 pm

    BTW, thanks for the easter egg after the credits, Fatty –

    I just about needed the Heimlich Maneuver to get a chunk of apple out of my throat!

  32. Comment by UpNorth | 06.4.2009 | 12:59 pm

    I have this thing about heights… There’s no way I could ride that. You guys are hardcore.

    Is it weird that I have a bit of vertigo now???

  33. Comment by Steve | 06.4.2009 | 1:10 pm

    My wife and I were at Grove Creek yesterday evening, and I was telling her I should ride it sometime…but I soiled my armor just watching your video. There’s no way.

  34. Comment by Angie G | 06.4.2009 | 1:18 pm

    OH MY F****** GOD!!!! You guys are absolutely insane! Good thing I brought my gym bag to work. After watching that video I need the fresh set of clothes.

    I bet it feels totally amazing though. Almost meditative. Your focusing so hard on the trail and what your doing that there isn’t room to think of anything else.

    AWESOME video!!!

    I’m with JTM, I’ll take my road bike thanks. :-)

  35. Comment by The GPC | 06.4.2009 | 1:26 pm

    I am stunned STUNNED by this one. I would never be able to ride that. Unbelievable video man.

  36. Comment by S.E. Childress | 06.4.2009 | 1:26 pm

    Fatty, I was sacred just sitting in my office chair. You guys rock!

  37. Comment by S.E. Childress | 06.4.2009 | 1:29 pm

    Scared… I was scared. Never could type for sh*t.

  38. Comment by Vermont Rob | 06.4.2009 | 1:36 pm

    dude….do you ever sleep? Taking care of a sick wife, the kids and house, holding down a job, riding, blogging and video editing. Bravo, sir. You are truly my hero in more ways than one!

    WIN Susan!!

  39. Comment by Vermont Rob | 06.4.2009 | 1:36 pm

    oh yeah…and that trails looks awesome! Great vid.

  40. Comment by Kt | 06.4.2009 | 1:38 pm

    That cliff-edge part at about the 1 minute mark– SCARY. Did you really ride that??? Are you INSANE?

    Still…. it’s an adventure… and not everyone gets to have adventures….. Awesome.

  41. Comment by MOCougFan | 06.4.2009 | 1:50 pm

    Schnikes dude… that is seriously crazy. I’m terrible at unclipping when I need to. You’d totally have to be able to unclip in a heartbeat.

    That is the mother of all dropoffs.

  42. Comment by Rob M. | 06.4.2009 | 2:01 pm

    Too crazy and daring and palm sweating for me. I’ll stick to the roads, thank you very much.

    I’m surprised that none of the above comments mentions Ricky’s kind of fall and his almost slide downhill for 5 miles or so.

  43. Comment by Linda | 06.4.2009 | 2:51 pm

    Wow. I audibly gasped a couple of times watching that.
    Please be careful if you ever ride that again!

  44. Comment by Sophia | 06.4.2009 | 3:16 pm

    That video made my stomach hurt. I’m not good with ledges on the bike. But the comments were all reassuring. I’m glad I’m not the only one who was scared watching that. Thanks for the video, fatty.

  45. Comment by Philly Jen | 06.4.2009 | 3:18 pm

    OMG, (I threw up a little) x (a bajillion). Freak out!

    I could not even walk that trail. I hit a stretch like that while at Mt. Ranier National Park last year and had to literally sit down and shinny my hiney along an inch at a time, I was so petrified. Srsly.

    Hugs to Susan. WIN!

  46. Comment by Corey | 06.4.2009 | 3:30 pm

    As for video perspective vs doing: I have the exact same thoughts about Porcupine Rim, only I saw the video first, but then when riding the trail, it wasn’t nearly as scary.

  47. Comment by BigShorty | 06.4.2009 | 3:46 pm

    Fatty,

    My house is going up for sale. I’m in the same boat as MikeP…Illinois is flat as a pancake. It is so flat that I was able to watch my dog run away from home for 3 days!!!

    WIN SUSAN!

    BigShorty

  48. Comment by axel in texas | 06.4.2009 | 3:52 pm

    nice video, cool trail, I have trail envy…
    win susan!

  49. Comment by Uphillbattle | 06.4.2009 | 4:16 pm

    Trail??? That looked more like a ledge! A dangerously high ledge! My heart was in my throat the whole time…even though I knew you lived to tell about it!

  50. Comment by ricky | 06.4.2009 | 4:31 pm

    It was nice to get lost with you for some fun, fatty. Thanks for the timely IM. It’s hard to put in words what Grove means to me. I have more happy memories with more friends on Grove than every other ride (with the possible exception of the Hog).I have never seen anyone reach Grove base without a huge smile—even when the mountain beat them and even when things in their lives were complicated and sad.

    Watching that video is harder than riding the trail. I know the core team would agree with this. I’m so afraid of heights it’s pathetic! What’s wrong with your helmetcam anyway?

  51. Comment by Fletch | 06.4.2009 | 4:52 pm

    And I thought nearly getting run over by soccer mom on her cell phone was scary. I bow down to your spherical manhood globes.

  52. Comment by bikerswife | 06.4.2009 | 4:57 pm

    HOLY COW!

    My children watched in amazement the entire time saying, “How is he not falling down?”

    Then they proceeded to say, “I like that bike shirt. Can I have a bike shirt like that too?” I haven’t been here for long, but do you make children’s bike Fatty shirts….and for toddlers? I could definitely have all my children sporting those, even if they were in the bike trailer!

  53. Comment by mc | 06.4.2009 | 5:37 pm

    Ok so as I read your posts over the past year (or two!_ I would often think to myself “yeah next time I am UT I am going to look Fatty up and go for a ride”. OMG if you posted this video to keep all your blog fans AWAY you achieved your mission.

  54. Comment by kentucky joe | 06.4.2009 | 6:03 pm

    I am no longer certain of my manhood after watching that. I would have had to call the park service choppers in to get me down….yowsa…sorta reminded me of the himalaya ride at Disney only on a bike on a real mountain with actual death hovering nearby…
    please post a video of you riding with your twins in a parking lot to help restore my sense of beloging to the FC clan…

  55. Comment by Caren | 06.4.2009 | 6:12 pm

    I just watched this with my mtbing husband. I told him to NEVER tell me if he is riding something like trail! I was leaning toward the cliff the entire time hoping neither you or Rick leaned the wrong way!

    BTW – is the black bouncing in from the top and bottom an anti-shock feature of the camera? WOW!

  56. Comment by the weak link | 06.4.2009 | 6:24 pm

    My testicles just retrated up into my abdomen.

  57. Comment by scrod | 06.4.2009 | 6:27 pm

    Awesome video that reminds of why I ride road. I once fell off a curb, an entire 6 inches. Broke 3 spokes. Scary enough for me, thanks.

  58. Comment by Dave, Boston | 06.4.2009 | 7:19 pm

    Incredible video. I have ridden some hairy stuff but I think this takes the cake.

  59. Comment by Hillphobic | 06.4.2009 | 8:01 pm

    Thanks, Elden, your insightful video has crushed this triathlete’s fledgling offroad ambitions in their infancy.

    In the (totally misquoted) words of Chief Joseph: “I am shattered; my heart is small and timid. From where the sun now stands, I will mountain bike no more forever.”

    Awesome ride, guys.

  60. Comment by Rocket | 06.4.2009 | 8:13 pm

    oopps i fell down takes a whole new meaning, cool stuff.

    WIN SUSAN

  61. Comment by Wild Dingo | 06.4.2009 | 8:37 pm

    Holy crap. I was never so happy to see a parking lot and I wasn’t even on the gosh-darn rid!

  62. Comment by WheelDancer | 06.4.2009 | 9:02 pm

    Unbelievable! I suppose the video makes it look worse but I’m thinking I’ll pass on riding this one.

  63. Comment by Tim E | 06.4.2009 | 9:33 pm

    Holy Shmoley! Just call me Riff Raff, ’cause you’ll never see me on that “trail”!

    My helmet’s off to all who ride the rides like this one. The road is my home (not the trail).

  64. Comment by Ohiorider | 06.4.2009 | 9:58 pm

    *pulling my chair out of my rear after my knuckles returned to their original color*

    “HOLY CRAP! That was awesome and scary”!

    That’s all I have to say.

  65. Comment by Dobovedo | 06.4.2009 | 11:24 pm

    Um, I see the problem. Sane people don’t use the word “trail” in the same way that you freaks do.

    Yes, you do live in an exotic locale. Did you say there was a house for sale nearby?…

  66. Comment by jill | 06.5.2009 | 12:36 am

    Yeah, that video was awesome. It would take a truly confident rider to trust two wheels around that kind of exposure. I’m in awe of your mad skillz.

  67. Comment by Saso | 06.5.2009 | 3:33 am

    You guys have guts, hat off.

  68. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 06.5.2009 | 4:29 am

    There is, of course, a far more obvious answer to Ricky descending at twice your speed. You’re skinny. W=mg does not favour you when considered in tandem with D=1/2pCAv^2.

  69. Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 06.5.2009 | 4:31 am

    And for those of you who have no idea what I just said… I’ll bet you wished you listened better in high school physics now. Your teacher told you you’d need this stuff some day.

  70. Comment by Bob | 06.5.2009 | 5:52 am

    WOW! No thanks – I don’t like doing things where I die right after I say “oops”.

  71. Comment by George McNally | 06.5.2009 | 6:25 am

    Dear God.

  72. Comment by Rhett | 06.5.2009 | 6:53 am

    First time reader. Awesome video. Where is this trail located? In Utah? I’d like to ride it someday.

    Welcome to Fat Cyclist, Rhett! That trail is called “Grove Creek,” and is in Pleasant Grove, UT, about 40 minutes South of Salt Lake. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth making part of your trip. – FC

  73. Comment by PennyPue | 06.5.2009 | 7:05 am

    Really liking the helmet cam.

    I was in SLC, in a plane, on the tarmac. I took a pic of some beautiful hills (mountains) with red dirt. I’m going to need to come back there!

  74. Comment by medstudentitis | 06.5.2009 | 7:16 am

    just watching that video gave me the willies. I’m afraid of heights and I just wouldn’t be able to ride that. Plus, I fall over sometimes on up-hills and I would be afraid of falling right over the edge.

  75. Comment by Bob B | 06.5.2009 | 8:27 am

    Wow. Ricky is riding strong. You’d think a guy pushing 50 with four boys between the ages of 6 and 10 would struggle a bit.

    Back when we used to do Grove, I used to say the the falls weren’t death defying. During the downhill, if you catch a shoulder on the wall and bounce off the cliff, at no point would you die. You’d get scratched up on shale, sure, and maybe break a bone or two, but no death. So there’s that.

    As a Seattillian, I need to stop watching these videos.

    As a Seattilllian, you need to move back to UT. Come home, Bobby G. – FC

  76. Comment by Jennebelle | 06.5.2009 | 8:31 am

    I had an anxiety attack just watching the video! You guys are crazy! In a good way!

  77. Comment by Mike | 06.5.2009 | 9:05 am

    TOO SWEET!

    How did you avoid running over the hikers on the way down?

    the trail’s good that way. it’s so treacherous around the corners that you’re going slow where you can’t see hikers. and in the places you dare go fast, it’s so wide open you can see ahead 100 feet or more. – FC

  78. Comment by KarinNH | 06.5.2009 | 9:09 am

    Uhhh, Ricky, people probably reach Grove base with a huge smile on their faces because they are still alive.

    Wow….

  79. Comment by eclecticdeb | 06.5.2009 | 9:10 am

    Awwww…FREAK OUT! Perfect music.

    Seriously, my palms were sweating. Even though I knew the end of the “story” (you both got back alive), it was still intense.

    Makes me (almost) wish I had a mountain bike. We have some decent trails here that I’d like to try. For now, I’ll have to stick to my road bike.

  80. Comment by Janneke | 06.5.2009 | 9:16 am

    Awesome!! I’ll stick to flat as a pancake Holland tough thank you very much. I almost wet myself watching this…

  81. Comment by Randoboy | 06.5.2009 | 9:29 am

    This reaffirms my decision to stay ON THE ROAD, where bikes belong.

  82. Comment by MrsTeamPhillips | 06.5.2009 | 9:44 am

    That is SICK. I actually broke out in a sweat.

    And, just in case MrTeamPhillips is reading this: if I ever find out you are riding a trail that looks like this, I will take all of your bikes and turn them into road furniture.

    But it certainly does provide a distraction from the stresses of reality. Ride on, brother. Just be careful.

  83. Comment by Chuck Hutch | 06.5.2009 | 10:39 am

    Do it again, but faster!

    That philosophy, on this trail, has a rather obvious and abrupt point of diminishing returns. – FC

  84. Comment by michael | 06.5.2009 | 11:06 am

    You guys didn’t really climb into that hummer after something so beautiful did you?

    yes we did. and then we ate some steak. raw. without vegetables. – FC

  85. Comment by RyanT | 06.5.2009 | 12:14 pm

    You guys have come a long way my friends. Seriously nice moves. I am just wondering at what age do you reach the point of diminishing returns on a MTN Bike? I hope never. You don’t realize how cool Utah County is until you leave. I would be willing to make the drive down any day to ride. It is important to stay strong and have a healty release even in the hard times.

  86. Comment by MattC | 06.5.2009 | 12:45 pm

    I think that Mt. biking is one of those sports that you can just get better and better as as you age (to a point I’m sure). As you skills increase, you ride smarter, not necessarily harder. Also, knowing your own limits of what you can safely do, and when you are pushing those limits is paramount. I Mt bike alone almost all the time, and have no problem being 20 miles from anywhere on some pretty rugged stuff. However, at those times I don’t go pushing my envelope…I stay within (and ocasionally on the hairy edge) of what I KNOW I’m capable of. Being cleated-in on a trail like that would be a MUST to me. If you have to pull a foot out, that means either you encountered something you can’t make, or you messed up. Either way, just stopping on a trail like that would be WAY more frightening than riding it thru (suddenly meeting hikers on a blind turn would be a bit unnerving I admit). And hey…we all know Fatty…he probably doctored up that video to make it LOOK like it’s a fall of doom. It was probably a foot or 2 (grin!) We know how me measures things (ie: Jill=8′11″ tall).

  87. Comment by akaKathy | 06.5.2009 | 1:33 pm

    As someone that has a extremely healthy fear of heights, that was invigorating!

  88. Comment by lazyscrapbooker | 06.5.2009 | 2:35 pm

    i don’t ride, i know nothing about riding… but i do know i could NEVER ride on a trail like that, so close to the freaking edge! FREAK OUT, indeed!

  89. Comment by Frank | 06.5.2009 | 2:37 pm

    I am sure somewhere in those mountains lives something that could eat a biker….soooo….question is…What do you do when going uphill, nowhere for right foot to go, left pedal scratching rock, and you round a corner where mama couger and 2 babies are coming down trail? I have never seen a bike go downhill backwards…..Great job!! Take care.

  90. Comment by JimG | 06.5.2009 | 3:41 pm

    Ummm – You know how you can ride for miles & miles & miles on a road bike – glued to the white line – never faltering – never drifting but an inch or two each way – true like an arrow. Add in a little exposure, a few ledges, a few rocks, tight turns and yep….I freak out. Great Video, thanks. Pedal on Fatty, Win Susan

  91. Comment by ricky | 06.5.2009 | 4:04 pm

    Ryan, funny you asked the diminishing returns question. Fatty and I discussed this at the top of Grove. We decided 50 is the age, which reminds me to say happy birthday to Bob B.

    Frank, we actually have seen some wild things up Grove. I personally saw El Chupacabra on one of the technical moves. He was laughing at me for missing the move. Before I could get my phone cam out for a pic, he darted straight up the wall of the rocky mountain until he was out of sight.

  92. Comment by DeborahB | 06.5.2009 | 4:54 pm

    Oh my gosh. My husband would LOVE that ride! That looked scary as hell when you look to your left and see the drop. eeeee! And the soundtrack was awesome, I was jamming the whole time watching! Great ride!

  93. Comment by Gross | 06.5.2009 | 5:34 pm

    Who’s driving the Hummer?!

  94. Comment by Katie | 06.5.2009 | 7:17 pm

    Yikes?

  95. Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 06.5.2009 | 7:46 pm

    I was whining about the climb at Mile 75 of the San Jose LiveStrong course – 1,000 feet in 2 miles. Your climb is bigger. I too use the granny gear :-)

  96. Comment by MrDaveyGie | 06.5.2009 | 8:52 pm

    Dang, that takes balls.Ride on
    Dave

  97. Comment by joliver3 | 06.5.2009 | 9:28 pm

    I ride both on- and off-road, but after watching that video, I can no longer call my off-road biking “mountain biking”. Maybe “trail biking”.

  98. Comment by Pinkbike | 06.6.2009 | 2:25 am

    Does your mother know where you are??

  99. Comment by Bjorn 4Lycra | 06.6.2009 | 9:20 am

    So do they send out regular patrols sweeping the valley for the odd (very odd) mtber that does not quite keep to the trail. Maybe check the parking lot for any cars that don’t move for a couple of days. It’s a bit like the first bloke that actually stopped and looked at an oyster and thought I gotta try a taste of that there must have been some loony who thought I’m gonna ride my bike up that and then stuff it I’ll come back down again. Nice views though. Good job on the video as well.

  100. Comment by vXhanz | 06.6.2009 | 3:47 pm

    That video gave me the creeps just watching it! You guys definitely live in a great area, but I think I would hike that trail vs. bike it. Thanks for posting that.

    V

  101. Comment by Barbara | 06.6.2009 | 4:39 pm

    Wow…I live on the side of Mt. Tam and there are tons of great trails here (and a few waterfalls), but nothing this for the narrow trail/cliff aspect!!

    Heights and speed! Again…wow.

  102. Comment by kim fritsche | 06.6.2009 | 5:09 pm

    Fatty u da man.
    Thanks for sharing the ride
    wow

  103. Comment by Stomper | 06.6.2009 | 7:53 pm

    thanks for sharing that FC….. nice ride!!!

    Karl aka Stomper

  104. Comment by BotchedExperiment | 06.6.2009 | 10:05 pm

    The fact is BobB is right. There’s only about 4 places on Grove that you’d probably die if you fell off. For most of the trail, if you fell, you’d only WISH that you’d died.

  105. Comment by SkiMoab | 06.7.2009 | 9:19 am

    I agree completely with the Mind Vacation. I was feeling especially uptight and irritable yesterday, so instead of my usual Moab rides, I hit up the Slickrock trail because I knew I’d be pounding the whole way. Had to blow off some steam.

  106. Comment by bubbaseadog | 06.8.2009 | 6:59 pm

    did you show this stuff to susan i mean she and the kids may need you to be a little safer than that….i mean that was scary stuff. how come that trail has not been outlawed

  107. Comment by Cowgirl | 06.9.2009 | 10:05 am

    How in the world did you do this without falling off the cliff? I watched the whole video, waiting for one of you to plummet to your death down the mountain. Geez, I’d be nervous walking that, let along riding a bike along that trail…

    Although if you gave me a horse, i’d be fine. Isn’t that weird how comfortable we get in risky situations, if we’re familiar with it?

  108. Trackback by Free downloads. | 09.1.2011 | 8:47 pm

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