In November 2016 Danny went to Moab, Utah and some other amazing mountain biking spots on a staff trip for Lewes Cycleshack and Deers Leap Bikes. Danny’s trip diary is below and tells a great tale of some fantastic biking…
Cycleshack USA Trip 2016.
Day one, Wednesday: of this trip, was a long one. Leaving Sussex at around 10.30AM and heading for Heathrow. After an easy check in and a spot of lunch we board the plane for a 10 and a half hour flight.
We arrived in LA at 6.30PM local time, about 2.30AM UK time! Steve met us at the airport and drove us to our first night’s hotel in Costa mesa, via an In n Out burger, for some food. We sat outside as it was still about 27 degrees, at 9.00pm! Shower then bed.
Day two, Thursday: saw us start with a short drive, to the ocean. Newport Beach, to be precise. I had a paddle in the Pacific before breakfast!
Bit envious as the surf looked great, by my standards, and there were a few surfers out catching some morning waves.
Pancakes, eggs and bacon at the “stuft surfer cafe” then on the road for a six hour drive
This country is… VAST!…
On to our next destination, Prescott Arizona, at 6100 feet.
Day three, Friday: We woke on friday morning, to minus something temperatures. It was COLD last night! Ice on the tent this morning. Drove into prescott , a really nice “old” town and had breakfast at the Lone spur cafe, whilst watching the veterans day parade set up.
We then drove out to granite basin to hit the trails. A bit of faf unpacking the bikes for the first time then riding.
I was first to fall off, 5 minutes in! Only a bruised thigh and some scratches from a juniper bush. Trails were sandy, front wheel washed out a few times but great fun. 8 miles and two runs later I had ridden at 5000+ feet for the first time.
Short drive over to cottonwood, via this view
And on to the campsite.
Of to Dennys for dinner, then bed.
Day four, Saturday: Cottonwood – Randall’s diner for breakfast.
View from Starbucks is cool!
Today, we rode: Sedona- llama trail, little horse trail, Chapel trail.
We bought BBQ food and cooked dinner tonight at the camp in the dark.
Bbq – hot dogs, steak, wedges and beers.
Day five, Sunday: We packed up camp, went to town to Randall’s again for breakfast. Such a busy place but they recognised “us brits” from yesterday and even gave us some cake to take with us!
Then it was a loooooong drive, (it’s a big place), to the grand canyon.
Words and pictures cannot do it any justice, so pleased we decided to visit here instead of an early ride today.
From here we carried on through monument valley to moab. Via flagstaff, some of it on route 66.
Arrived at the campsite in Moab (“home” for the next five days), put the tents up, and went into town for dinner (food is a BIG part of this trip 
) at zaks.
Some of the local brew……
Day six, Monday: Went to Dennys for breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausages, hash Brown and two Pancakes, coffee and juice. Pretty much the standard… Then it was off to the supermarket for supplies and a look around the local bike shop, poison spider. We took a half hour or so drive out of town, to the top of today’s trail – Bull Run.
Had a great ride down via Gemini bridges
(I’m standing on a “bridge” of rock)
We got a little lost. Sometimes the only thing to follow are yellow stripes on the rock
(you can just see one under my bike) and we missed a turn. Went a mile and a half up, only to have to turn around and head back down! 
. We did make it out and met with Steve, headed back to camp for a quick shower before heading to town for dinner at zaks again. All you can eat pizza for $10.99.
Day seven, Tuesday: We had breakfast at Wake and bake today, big as usual.
We then drove out of town to the trail head again, but this time rode a different trail, called Getaway.
So good that we got a lift back up, and did it again! Best flowing trail of the trip.
We ate food at Eddie Mcstiffs tonight, another good burger! And more local(ish) beer.
Day eight, Wednesday: Wake and bake for breakfast again, (we’re becoming regulars!) yum.
Then the drive out of town, past The Slick Rock trail, about 8 miles up a dirt track road.
Once the truck was parked, it was another 2 miles or so of riding/pushing uphill to the start of the EPIC Porcupine Rim trail.
