Off-road mountain bike enthusiasts passed through Emery County as they rode the back roads of Utah. The group is from out of the state and they bike in the summer and ski in the winter. They write and photograph their adventures as a means to promote the sports.
Kurt is the one who put the ride together and he mapped the routes the group would take. Riding upon dirt trails only is a different approach for some mountain bikers. Some riders stick to paved trails because it’s easier, but these riders are encouraging those bikers to break off those trails and hit the dirt.
The group started the ride from Salt Lake to Moab at Mill Creek Canyon. They followed the Wasatch Crest Trail near Park City. It’s a very popular trail. The Great Western Trail exists through most of Utah. It is a historic trail followed by trappers, traders, pioneers, Native Americans and others. Different sections of that trail still exist today in different forms. Some of it is single track depending on where you are.
They rode the Ridge Trail from Brighton Ski Resort to Sundance Ski Resort. They rode over Strawberry Ridge near Strawberry Reservoir. As they came into Emery County they were in their sixth of eight days.
They started on the Skyline Drive where the old Tucker rest area was in Spanish Fork Canyon and followed it. They came down Reeder Canyon and then Rock Canyon.
James said they ran into ATV riders, people on motorcycles and hunters in the areas they visited. Most said, ‘You’re up here on a pedal bike?” and looked at them like they were a little crazy. “Most riders, don’t go on trails like these. Your fitness levels need to be high. We wouldn’t recommend the Strawberry Ridge, we were pushing bikes up it. They rode the Good Water Rim Trail at the Wedge and spend the night camped at the San Rafael River (Swinging Bridge.) They rode the Black Dragon and into Green River. The last leg of their journey was into Moab where they finish ed up with the Magnificent Seven bike trails. These trails include high cliff views and vistas.
“It’s been an epic mountain bike adventure,” said James.
They call themselves the Commute Crew. Their mission is to bring awareness to National User trails that connect cites with recreation areas. Last year the group rode from Lake Tahoe. This year they decided to try Utah trails. It’s a great way to promote awareness for what’s out there and available to riders. Dirt rides are more challenging and they’d like people to get off the road and challenge themselves with some of these great dirt trails. They don’t think a ride totally on dirt has been done before from Salt Lake to Moab.
“We’re trying to get more people off road and into the wilderness. It’s really safer to ride off the road. Drivers are so distracted these days. There are a lot of safety issues and the quality of the riding experience. Off the road, you can connect with nature. You also get to a see a lot more things that you just can’t see on the road. Like climbing up the Skyline and when you arrive at the top, it’s magical, it makes the effort worthwhile for that view,” said Adamson.
The riders are from Reno, Nevada, Truckee, Calif. and Marin, Calif.
Kurt Gensheimer, James Adamson and Justin Schwartz are along on the trip. Kurt will write articles for magazines. Elizabeth Johnson is the camp mom and she is part of the support crew that drives the trucks and fixes the meals. John Shafer is the photographer for the travelers.
The travelers hope to have their articles published in several mountain bike publications. Their prior trips have been published. Outside Magazine, Adventure Cycling and Bike Magazine are the big mountain bike publications to which riders look for spots highlighting new adventures and places for mountain bike experiences, thecommutecrew.com and on facebook thecommutecrew will give you more information about the adventures of the Commute Crew.
The bikers spent one night at the Castle Dale park as they passed through Emery County and the other night at the Wedge with one night in Green River. They’re really excited with the spectacular scenery they’ve experienced while in Emery County. Look to these magazines for the documentation of their adventures.
Bikers explore the Swell
"Elizabeth Johnson is the camp mom Kurt Gensheimer, James Adamson and Justin Schwartz and John Shafer are along on the trip. Kurt will write articles for magazines. "