Before we ride advanced trails with our advanced guests (new to Moab-style riding), we take some time on more modest slick rock to coach them in slickrock- specific riding skills. It is worth the extra day of prep before bagging your bragging rights on the gonzo rides.  It gives riders a chance to perfect "tricks" such as jumps OFF of moderate shelves...

Modest jumps with safe landings...

Ignore this lady... she is derainged and, uh... off the curve!  We don't go here... unless you bring your own parachute.

SJ's (Sick Jumps) we don't do and we do not ever do sick jumps in the nude.  Certainly not without armor!

Willie, Kona Rep Extraordinaire, on a fly-by of Mushroom Rock.

And... WHEELIE UPS onto shelves and sudden steeps:

(Allan on Sovereign Trail.)

Speaking of steeps, we ride UP as well as DOWN plenty of steep inclines and need some skill sets plus a comfort level with riding these angles.

DOWN (Porcupine Rim)              UP!! (Slickrock Trail)

Much of our advanced riding involves riding "off camber" with the slope falling away or climbing to riders right or left:

Off-camber in the Toilet Bowl on Bartlett

It's good to have a "tuck and roll" fall in your bag of tricks as well.  (Could not get anyone to model for this maneuver.)  It involves on the job training and is moderately successful.  Usually guests successful with this technique arrive here "tuck trained".

If you are up for bagging the Slickrock Trail, Porcupine Rim and several others, it's best to spend the day nailing the essential slickrock specific skills!  We get into discussions and practice of balance... biggie.  Also braking, anticipation, gearing, commitment and otehr essentials.  Ask us about our coaching before you attempt one of these trails for the first time.  It is well worth the time and money and it is a whole lot of fun... not to ignore the new skills you'll take home to show off!  Home rides will be better and you'll probably want to come back for more Moab.

ALLAN POERTNER

Solfun Guide

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Should this biker be wearing armor?


Yours truly wearing armor... nice to have on steeps or gonzo technical stuff.

Here's a smart lady wearing armor on a modest ride... Solfun's Heidi Rentz.

When should you wear armor to ride in Moab?  Only need it when you crash, Dude!

I wear armor on most of the rides I do around Moab as I cannot be trusted not to ramp up the risk on occasion, even on an intermediate trail.  Seems like I fall when I'm showing off or have a momentary lapse of reason.  Ever do that?  I endured my share of crashes while tanning my arms and legs.  I have plenty of scars (the athlete's tatoo) to prove it.  My "tatoo's" are fewer now that I wear armor more often and my mountain biking skills are improved. 

When you come to Moab to ride with Solfun, consider renting armor.  We'll ask you to wear it on trails like Porcupine, Slickrock and Enchillada.

I'll throw in a few more crash shots for your amusement... did I say amusement?  Well, when it's someone else, it's amusing!  It is nice when you fall to get up unscathed, thanks to some protection and it even gives you more confidence.  A friend told me he thought armor gives you a "false sense of confidence." What's the false part?

Have a chuckle...

Action Shots


Action Shots

When you call Solfun to book a tour, ask us about armor.  Ya know, if you don't end up needing it, which is almost always the case, you do look pretty macho in the photos!

Your well protected guide,

ALLAN POERTNER

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THE MESSAGE & PHOTOS BELOW capture the essence of my experience at Solfun.  This family was typical of many of our tours and the nice comment and photos are priceless:

"Allan,

We had a wonderful time in Moab thanks in large part to you and Solfun Mountain Biking.  I have attached some of our/your pictures from the two days.  Sam was ecstatic and will forever remember your day together.  He promises to write a recommendation on TripAdvisor.  I'll check and if he doesn't I surely will.

Thanks again,

Laurie, Sam and Wayne

Wayne and Laurie hamming it up while Allan takes a shot... falling down laughing.

Our group for the day, including Sam, Wayne and Laurie.  Sam (age 16) is an excellent bmx rider as well as mountain biker, and we did a one-one-one ride the next day onsome more techincal terrain... see below.

Sam took this shot of Allan from the bottom of a canyon we rode into...

Sam showing off some of Moab's best biking terrain... forgot our parachutes, so no big jumps today!

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Solfun

1 Sunday, 08 August 2010 14:36

Jim Vance

Demanding terrain and a great guide made for a fantastic Solfun experience. Heidi has it all; awesome bike skills, knowledge of the trails and the ability to mach our skills with the trail. The rides were challenging yet safe. Moab is an excellent destination with terrain for all skill levels. I highly recommend Solfun to guide you through the maze of opportunities.

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It's monsoon season and the afternoons in Moab are prestine for riding...

After a huge lightening/rain storm with raging rivers of rain flowing on the slickrock!

Ahh, life is good.

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