The Ride

A self-supported endurance ride through the wondrous Markagunt Plateau. See the guidelines below.

Running date of July 5th, 2008. Start early.

Here's a map of the route idea as it exists today.


I'm estimating 80-90 miles, and 13-14k of climbing.

Starting at the Brian Head peak trailhead, we'll ride the Marathon Trail south all the way to Utah 14. Turn west on 14 and take it for several miles, then turn north of Utah 143. Turn west and find the Blowhard trailhead, then ride Blowhard all the way down to Utah 14. Turn back east, looking for Woods Ranch and the western trailhead for the Virgin River Rim trail to the south. Ride the VRR in it's entirety, all the way past the Strawberry Point road to the Strawberry Point trailhead. Head north-northeast on the jeep road, turning west on Utah 14. Just after Duck Creek Village, look for the Aspen Mirror Lake road. Follow this north, on the eastern side of Houston Mountain, until it meets back up with the Marathon Trail. Go north until the Marathon singletrack breaks west, at this point continue north until the Bunker Creek trail junction, then turn west and follow the Sidney Peaks trail back to the finish.

While these directions are, for the moment (11/26/07) vague, even under the final iteration self-sufficiency will be paramount; expect to show up with all the info you'll need to survive the day without getting more lost than you desire. The following links may prove helpful:

-Official Brain Head bike maps and trail descriptions.
-MTBR discussion with BH 100 map and link to GPS track.

Guidelines

1) You are physically on your own. All food, water, and supplies must be either carried by you alone, purchased from a store off-route, or filtered from in situ sources along the course. No "coincidental" prearranged support, psychological or physical. If you bonk, get lost, or have a major mechanical or injury, have the knowledge, wherewithall, and ability to get yourself found and saved without the assistance of others.

2) Follow all LNT guidelines. No gel wrappers left on the trail!

3) Be a good citizen. Interpret #1 within reason. If you see fit to give a fellow racer directions, mechanical assistance, water, a tube, or moral support, do so. Similarly, do not expect or feel entitled to any of the above. It's nice to have good neighbors, but there isn't a law mandating it.

4) Obey all laws, natural or man made. Don't be mean to hikers, cut off cars, or ride bikes off trail.