Pre-Trip planning & first day in Moab

We also had to make sure everyone was in good physical condition. Mark has challenges with his respiratory system and Chip was coming off of a broken collar bone and foot which prohibited him from riding for 2 months. To help increase everyone's stamina we would do longer rides week after week. These included trips up Saddleback or across the motorway. Each ride was longer than the previous. In the end all this training paid dividends. My recommendation to anyone looking to do this ride would be to put in the miles in the dirt. Become comfortable and proficient with rides in excess of 35-40 miles because on this trip you will be doing rides of those durations

In addition to riding and packing we thought it would be a good idea for everyone to know some basic first aid like CPR. The ride would take us away from civilization so if something were to happen we needed to have some basic skills. We had a paramedic from OC offer to give us a class and after several hours we had enough knowledge to make ourselves dangerous.

After all the rides, first aid training and packing we were ready to hit the road. We started at Al's house but before we could get on the road we had to reorganize the bikes in Mike's truck. Once the bikes were loaded we began the 12 hour trek to Moab. Along the way we would stop for gas. In Beaver they had this giant rocking chair and we couldn't resist the opportunity to sit in it for a picture. Of course in Beaver we also heard, "Don't make me call the sheriff". Not because we were screwing around with the chair, but because with all the commotion and excitement Chip almost forgot to pay for the gas. Just as we all jumped back in our cars one of the attendants came out and "reminded" us we needed to pay....

We arrived in Moab with just enough energy to check in to the hotel and eat dinner.

The next day we met our shuttle, and began the trip to Telluride.