Conference noted::bicycle

    Let's see now.... Four hours to finish a 10 mile trail.  That's an
    AVERAGE 2.5 mph.  Considering that there might be some fast spots
    where you could hit 15 mph or so, how do you keep your balance going
    less than two miles an hour?
    
    Or is it REALLY like Indiana Jones, and you have to pull yourself and
    your bike out of a pit full of snakes by some old rope?  That might
    kill 1/2 hour or so....
    
    
    MATT

    re:.1:  How is it that racers practice track stands at all the traffic
    lights in the world and yet doubt our ability to keep our balance at
    1 mph?
    
    ??
    
    ed

    re. -1
    
    	YIKES
    
    re. .0
    
    	How is the road riding in Utah?  I skied there this year
    and absolutely loved the canyonland scenery and thought that
    road riding (away from SLC) would be fantastic in the mountain
    areas.  Is it?
    
    							_Jerry

RE:1  I will quote to you out of a bicycling guide, "The average time to bike 
the Slickrock Trail is 4 hours, but 5 to 6 hours should be allowed for first 
encounters. . . There are painted directional and caution signs.  White/yellow 
and wholly yellow trail markers signify 'danger - proceed with caution.'  The 
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is not an alarmist organization and these 
should be taken seriously. . . There are a few assorted caveats which need to 
be mentioned:  bikers need to be willing to push a bike on much of this trail 
-- up many ascents and through the occasion sand traps.  This is considered an 
integral part of 'riding' the trail and should be done shamelessly.  On many 
of the descents, it is necessary to have body weight as far back as possible 
over the rear wheel, and a steady hand with the brakes." 

I have a confession to make, I was only able to ride on the practice loop, 2.3 
miles long because of the degree of difficultly.  I could not believe 
bicyclist were actually able to ride that trail.  It was difficult to keep my 
front wheel in contact with a surface yet I was leaning as far foward as I 
could and still have my feet on the pedals.  On a descent I could never get my 
weight far enough back to keep some traction, and then to come down into a 
long stretch of sand where you need to be perfectly balanced in order to make 
it through without losing it.  You needed to have enough momentum to make up 
the ascents, but at the top there could be a hairpin turn that if you missed 
could end up with a major fall down some canyon.  My son manuevered 
"Slickrock" well and did not need 4 hours, more like 2 hours after many 
attempts.  You become well acquanited with your gears on this trail and your 
balance is critical.  Try it, Matt, you may love it!  The say when you reverse 
the direction and take it backwards it becomes a whole new challenge.

RE:3 Road touring is great.  Write for the "Bike Utah, Vacation Guide" and 
they have listed 14 different touring companies listed, plus all the other 
bike shops and support you will need while you out there.

    Just got back from a *wonderful* 4 day, 95 mile ride along the White
    Rim Trail in Canyonlands Nat'l Park.  Incredible.
    
    Terrific views of desert flowers blooming and enough spires, mesas,
    buttesm, and arches to wish I'd paid more attention during geology
    class.
    
    We rode along a jeep/bike road (where some stretches I couldn't 
    believe a four-wheeler could make it) and camped out under the stars.
    We were with Kaibab Mountain Bike Tours (Moab; 1-800-451-1133); had
    two guides and 12 (?) riders.  These guides would do the usual tour
    stuff for you, (cook, clean, smile) but what really impressed us was
    the wonderful meals they could prepare with no running water.
    
    Some downsides: it would have been nice to have a shower along the way,
    but the Green river was a refreshing bath.  And it rained so hard the
    second day we all huddled and shivered under a rock outcropping.  No
    fires allowed in the park.  Two college grads were celebrating finals 
    and took tumble after tumble, mainly due to their youthful bravado and 
    inexperience on the steep decents.  Looked like refugees from a burn unit, 
    but they said it didn't hurt.  ;>)
    
    They charged $520 for the 4 days/3 nights trip.  You had to bring your
    own alcohol; they supplied the rest.
    
    Kris/Seattle