With all due respect to Arctic Circle, the fast food
hamburger chain from Utah,
our ride today was Above the Rim. We took on (if that sounds like a challenge,
it was) the Moab Rim trail today and are still here to tell about it.
In fact we would like to rave about it. It's an excellent
technical trail that tests metal and mettle. We're not sure but we would guess
whoever invented the skid plate probably tested it on the Moab Rim trail. We
used ours plenty (but don't tell KYMCO, manufacturers of the vehicle we rode
today) during our ride.
Right from the parking area, the trail is tough and a bit
intimidating. At times it feels and looks like you're right on the edge, ready
to plunge into the Colorado River below. Of
course, you're several feet from the edge but it feels like inches. After you
make the steep, rocky climb to the top of the hill there are lots of smaller
obstacles and challenges as you make your way to the overlook.
The Moab Rim trail has a difficulty rating of 7, which is a
bit higher than our ride experience yesterday on Poison Spider, which is rated as
a 5.
The overlook is just that--a spot where the town of Moab, the valley it sits
in, the La Sal Mountains and rocky desert are all laid out in front of you. The
views are nothing short of spectacular and just being there gives you a sense
of accomplishment for making it to that point.
The weather was absolutely perfect. The high for the day was
81 degrees F and with the cloud cover, we didn't bake like a potato in the
oven.
What another great day of riding in Moab.
Just one more day for the Rally on the Rocks and we're
looking forward to Hell's Revenge tomorrow.
