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Author:
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Bicycling Magazine
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Date:
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29 Sep 2008 5:47:37 PM
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Activity:
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Mountain Biking
ActivitySearchMountainBiking
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State:
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Utah (UT)
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Distance:
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14.66 mi
(Change units)
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Elevation:
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Total Gain: 1517 ft
Total Loss: 1515 ft
Net Change: 1 ft
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Difficulty:
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8 / 10
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Tags:
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Castle Valley, Utah, Moab
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Rating:
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Unrated
Rate it
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One of the most popular 24-hour races in the country, 24 Hours of Moab loops 14.6 miles along sandy singletrack and jeep roads. Heading east from the campground, the race route parallels Behind the Rocks Road (descending a few endo-inducing sandy dips) before turning northeast on a slickrock climb up Bridger Jack Mesa.
Veering west, the course (well-marked on race-day, but not throughout the year) traces jeep roads and tackles a few steep, windy, and very sandy descents--keep your weight back and go easy on the brakes.
The first huge technical obstacle of the day is the Nose Dive, a seemingly impassable cliff drop that most riders walk. A less hairy option is available (as on several of the route’s rock obstacle sections), but it’s still pretty technical.
Continuing west, the course loops behind a massive redrock formation (complete with a signature Moab arch) onto a stretch of slickrock that gives way to another sandy descent. After cruising down another flat, sandy doubletrack, the course dumps riders onto “The Ledge,” a multi-tiered rock drop into a steep, rocky jeep road descent--many riders walk this section as well, though there are rideable lines here.
After an aggressive (and sandy) climb, the course loops by the redrock formation again before bombing back towards the start on a sandy jeep road. When the course is very dry, the sand can be thick and slow on this stretch. If it has rained recently, the sand is a lot more forgiving and you can really build up some speed on the final 3 miles.
For Moab bike rentals and service (and to pick the local brains on the best slickrock around), check out Poison Spider Bicycles.
-Mapped by Mark Harrison and Tim Shisler
TO TRAILHEAD: From the intersection of Center St. and Main St., head south on Main St./UT 191 for 13 miles and turn right on Behind the Rocks Rd. Continue 2.3 miles on this rough dirt road to trail access on the right.
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Datum: |
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24 Hours of Moab
| Dist: 14.66 mi |
Points: 715 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Le Mans Start
Location: 38.418662°, -109.466744°
Racers get a running start at the 24 Hours of Moab. © Shannon Davis
Straightaway Start
Location: 38.419166°, -109.465499°
With the exception of the first-lap "Le Mans" start, the course begins on a sandy doubletrack trail with a fantastic view of the rocks. © Tim Shisler
The First Climb
Location: 38.422899°, -109.444385°
As the course turns north-northeast, the arrows point up a rugged and rocky slickrock climb. There's plenty of grip on this stretch, but finding a smooth line is a challenge. © Tim Shisler
Racecourse Sunrise
Location: 38.438699°, -109.442453°
© Mark Harrison
The Rocks
Location: 38.440245°, -109.443398°
© Mark Harrison
Sandy Straightaway
Location: 38.439472°, -109.448462°
Sandy Drop
Location: 38.440371°, -109.450786°
The first significant descent of the day drops down a winding sand slide where your brakes will do more harm than good. Believe it or not, this stretch will actually boost your balance feel for riding on sand. Take it easy on the front brake on the way down.
Rock Formations
Location: 38.441086°, -109.455371°
© Mark Harrison
Nose Dive
Location: 38.448279°, -109.474511°
Think you can ride it? Think hard before you do: The majority of riders hike-a-bike down this hairy cliff-like drop. There's a less technical route to the left that's no piece of cake either. © Tim Shisler
Fast Straightaway
Location: 38.442430°, -109.486570°
The course has a handful of slightly downhill, fast straightaways on jeep road. © Tim Shisler
The Big Rock
Location: 38.433623°, -109.503050°
© Mark Harrison
Divot
Location: 38.434295°, -109.506247°
Just before trail loops behind the big rock, a momentum jarring divot threatens to endo riders. It's an easy spot to handle (the best line is to the right), but after a few laps some people forget about the endo-inducing ability of this spot. © Tim Shisler
Behind the Big Rock
Location: 38.435237°, -109.506655°
© Mark Harrison
Fast, Flat, and Sandy
Location: 38.452026°, -109.495561°
© Mark Harrison
The Backside
Location: 38.452144°, -109.501677°
The flat, sandy jeep road behind the big rock is another stretch of the road well-suited to making up some time. © Tim Shisler
The Ledge
Location: 38.449382°, -109.508803°
The second most technical spot on the course, The Ledge drops riders off a multi-tiered rock drop into a extremely rocky and loose descent. There are rideable lines through this stretch, but it's another spot where many riders choose to dismount and walk.
The Final Climb
Location: 38.437287°, -109.517727°
After the Ledge, there's still an extended slog through sand and rocks before the final downhill back to the start. If the sand is dry and thick, seek out rocky lines for more traction. If it has rained recently, the sandy lines will be more efficient. © Tim Shisler
The Final Descent
Location: 38.432682°, -109.504337°
After looping back by the big rock, the finishing area comes to view along with a fantastic backdrop of the La Sal Mountains. Get ready to fly back down to the start on a sandy jeep road peppered with slickrock. © Tim Shisler
La Sal Mountains
Location: 38.428715°, -109.490132°
© Mark Harrison
Thick Sand
Location: 38.425773°, -109.481463°
If conditions have been dry, the sand on the final descent can be thick and slow--even though you're riding downhill, it will feel like climbing. Stay in a light gear and keep spinning. © Tim Shisler
Light Sand
Location: 38.425487°, -109.481378°
If it's rained recently, the sand on the final descent will be packed down and washed out a bit, making for a much faster run back down to Behind the Rocks Road. © Tim Shisler
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