Though the Thought Police at IMBA have deleted it from their archives, the inaugural IMBA Epic Ride on April 28, 1999 actually happened on The Edge Loop in the Fruita, Colorado Bookcliffs. With this historical event having been redacted by that organization, I felt as though my account that was written right after the event should be available for at least the curious to peruse.
The inaugural IMBA epic ride was today on The Edge Loop in the Bookcliffs. About 45 people showed up at 9AM to venture out with the group. The variety of people included IMBA staffers, as well as a few local IMBA members. There were also several industry persons there.
After introductions, everyone was split into 4 groups by speed. I was selected to guide group #2. As group #1 left, I selected a local rider in group #2 to assist by leading with me sweeping. The pace kept us even as we headed west on the Frontside.
Some of the riders who were not paying attention to how the locals were dressed at the beginning had to peel a layer or two near the start. Once we got rolling though, it was a quick run to Coal Gulch. As I finished the singletrack run onto the 4x4 road, the group was waiting with one big collective grin. What a great start!
The next section was the social hour. The gradual climb up Coal Gulch is a good place for a chat, unless really burning it up. Just as I was telling Mark, a guide for Western Spirit out of Moab, how I had double pinch flatted once 8 miles back in the very same canyon, I inexplicably blew a 1/2" hole in my rear sidewall. After a quick fix with some duct tape and a new tube, we were rolling again. It was bulging a bit, but didn't look too bad.
The following section was the (sometimes dreaded) main climb. It's not very technical, it's not really steep, but it lasts a while and is rather steady. Dr Steve, a local, was content to just sit and spin in a low gear, so I just hung back with him and enjoyed the views. The higher you get on the climb, the more amazing the views become, especially of the Roan Cliffs. About 2/3 of the way up, a Group 3 rider caught us and decided to slow her pace to ours for a while. Near the top we caught another rider from our group and finished it out together. Group 2 was still finishing their Clif bars as we arrived, so we dropped our packs and commenced to snacking also.
The next section, Ross Ridge, is a few ups and downs on the same 4x4 road as the climb, but the pitches are a bit steeper in places. Steve and I started out about 3 minutes after the main body of our group left. After one mile, that damn sidewall blew out again. After I had gotten the wheel off and the tube out, Jon and Group 3 were passing. He asked if I had a tire boot and it hit me. I had one that I should have used from the start and felt really stupid for not thinking of it initially. With a newfound confidence in the sidewall of my rear tire, I quickly passed Group 3 and caught up with Steve.
When we reached the viewpoint, we could see the rest of Group 2 turning onto the singletrack drop-in to Lipan Canyon. We found ourselves there within 5 minutes after negotiating the 3 steeps that lead to the singletrack
Steve insisted that I lead into the canyon because he had never ridden the complete Edge Loop. After little resistance, I accepted his offer and ventured forth. The next 2 1/2 miles or so consists of nothing more than pure joy. It twists and turns down through the Pinyon Pines and Junipers and all you need is your brakes. I feel that this section of singletrack really puts the "C" in epic, as do many who have ridden this trail. After dropping into the canyon bottom, my hands a bit sore from braking and a huge grin to boot, I promptly caught two other riders from Group 2.
We pulled up to the infamous waterfall portage to find our group was already getting ready to hand the bikes down. Of course, I was elected to be in the spot where it took the longest reach both ways, but was more than willing to be there. After handing my bike down last, the rest of the group shimmied their way down the rope to the bottom of the waterfall.
The run out of Lipon Canyon is in the wash for about the first half mile, then takes a straighter line going in and out of the wash, rolling up and over the flats above the stream bed. Everyone stuck together pretty well throughout this section. After it emerges from the canyon, the trail heads towards a short pitch and switchback to climb out.
We rallied up at the top of the climb out and then continued across the traverse to another short stream bed section. The climb out of the stream bed has a couple of steep and technical moves that claimed all but one rider. The switchback on this one is historically loose and once again claimed me.
After everyone finished the climb, I fell-in behind the last rider who appeared to be having a little difficulty. After riding through The Corkscrew (named after the infamous hill at Laguna Seca), we had mostly downhill to a final climb out before dropping to the road that leads into Layton Canyon. The bonking rider walked up the last climb, then asked if I had ANYTHING to eat. Of course, I gave up my last energy bar and was thanked most graciously. We then continued to the road and the rest of our group with a high fun factor downhill that winds and twists through the Junipers.
After meeting up at the road, it was decision time. An informal poll decided that we would finish on the original route, instead of Chutes & Ladders. So, we pointed our bikes downhill and headed to the singletrack that leads across the lower portion of the desert to the parking lot. When the last rider and I came to the intersection, I noticed 2 riders had missed the turn. We tried yelling to them, but they could not hear us, so I sent the one rider after the others and headed down the 4x4 road to catch the 2 wayward riders. They stopped after about 1/2 mile and saw me catching up to them, thankfully they waited.
We headed back and made the correct turn, then made our way across to the lower parking lot. Of course, we were parked near the top of 18 Road, so we finished by climbing the Prime Cut. Half way up it started raining, making us pick up the pace. We finished with it still raining, but knew there was snack food and Fat Tire Ale waiting for us. Group 3 came in about 40 minutes later, followed by Group 4 about another 40 minutes after them. When everyone was settled, they handed out a few mementos, including a pint glass with an IMBA Epic logo. Everyone had a great time. If any of you get the chance to participate in one of these rides, do it.
I really don't care why IMBA decided this was not a part of its history, but do feel that those who took the time and effort to participate have been slighted. Me, I'm amused by it all and enjoy being able to show that organization by pointing this out with my proverbial middle finger.
