chain tops
On-line Moab Souvenir Shop
Click on the "curios" cart for on-line sales of Moab souvenirs including bicycle jewelry, Native American arts and crafts, southwestern folk art and curiosities, minerals, rocks and fossils.


OTHER DESTINATIONS

AUTHORIZED DEALER


Moab mountain bike safety and survival
"Ignorance is no excuse to do something stupid."

SCHEDULES | MOAB, UTAH | HAWAII | MOUNTAIN BIKE SALES | STORIES | TESTIMONIALS | RESERVATIONS | COMPANY BIO

MOAB MOUNTAIN BIKING
SAFETY, SURVIVAL & ECOLOGY

     "I want to thank you for your website which includes safety points for survival in the desert. My son was one of the Iowa boys who became lost and died in August of 1995. I know that the death of our boys had a very deep impact on a lot of people. I am heartened that they have not been forgotten. As with everything which happens to us here on earth, I believe there is a higher purpose. If even one young person can be saved from death by knowing about Chris and Mark, then they have not died in vain.
                     "Sincerely,
                      Di Holt"

*See navigation and hydration section.

Information saves lives. If you have any additions, stories, or suggestions as to how to make this portion of our web site better, please CONTACT DREAMRIDE.

mountain bike toursMountain biking is a dangerous sport.
Moab is a good place to find out.

MOAB IS MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA BECAUSE IT IS A GATEWAY TO AN AMAZING VARIETY OF DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. EVEN THE EASY TRAILS ARE HARD. DISTANCES ARE EPIC. MILES ARE LONGER THAN YOU THINK. KNOW AND RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS. POPULAR TRAILS LIKE MOAB SLICK ROCK TRAIL AND PORCUPINE RIM ARE NOTORIOUS FOR SENDING PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL. DON'T BE A NEWS STORY IN THE MOAB TIMES INDEPENDENT. PROTECT YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE. BE SAFE, FIRST. A GOOD TIME WILL FOLLOW.

Top priority warning: If you lead a sedentary lifestyle and have a history of heart disease in your immediate family, forget mountain biking in Moab. If you have diabetes, allergies, asthma, or health problems that could complicate emergency medical attention be sure those who ride with you are aware of your needs should a medical emergency arise. DO NOT TAKE MEDICATIONS THAT EFFECT JUDGMENT OR MOTOR SKILLS BEFORE OR DURING A MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE. Duh.

Most trails surrounding Moab, Utah are remote, physically demanding, technically difficult, and even extreme. Trails that are considered difficult in other areas may be rated "easy" in Moab. Every visitor is surprised at effort necessary for simple survival in the desert, especially when weather happens. The cycling community in Moab can be irresponsible when it comes to recommending trails to visitors. Not understanding the hardcore nature of Moab's mountain biking reputation, your own limitations, and "NATURAL LAW" storiesin canyon country can lead to lethal attempts at recreation. If you ride Moab religiously, learn to use rational fear as a gauge. Magical scenery and deliciously challenging trails are patrolled by the Grim Reaper, who rides a rigid bike by the way. Abandoned bikes on the trail could mean an injury. Report such finds to local Search and Rescue or the Grand County Sheriff Department. A sad example of just how dangerous it can be to ignore abandoned bikes is the case of the two Iowa boys who died on Porcupine Rim in 1995. The families of the boys did not find the boys' bikes for months after the bodies were found, because they had been stolen by two creeps from Scotland. These inconsiderates sold one bike in Berkeley, CA and took the other back to Scotland with them. It took three weeks to find the boys, and Search and Rescue didn't start searching till one of the boy's parents found their son's car. Finding the bikes would have hastened the search and may have saved the lives of the boys. So, make sure that abandoned bike does not belong to you. Ride with a buddy and let people know where you are going when you head out!

ADDENDUM: JULY 30, 1998 ISSUE OF THE TIMES INDEPENDENT -- A sample of a random week in Moab. See further addendums at the end of the safety information.

VOLUNTEERS SEARCH DAY AND NIGHT FOR UNPREPARED CYCLISTS LOST ON LOCAL TRAILS

story by Franklin Seal

     Krista Seeley, a 40-year-old woman from Victorville, Calif., suffered a broken leg Monday while mountain biking in a remote area on Poison Spider Mesa and was saved by determined volunteers of the Grand County Search and Rescue team.
     Seeley and her husband were approximately four miles in on the main Poison Spider jeep trail when the accident occurred and her husband used his cell phone to call for help.
     "We ended up hauling her about four miles on a litter rigged to a six-wheeled ATV," said Grand County Search and Rescue Commander Frank Mendonca. "I know she had a bone broken in a couple of places and she couldn't move it."
     Four search and rescue volunteers, along with a BLM ranger and one of the ambulance drivers, used ATV's to reach the victim and bring her back to the ambulance which could only negotiate the first mile of the trail. After being treated at Allen Memorial Hospital, Seeley was transported at 7 p.m. to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. and is listed in satisfactory condition.
     Search and Rescue volunteers were also called out last Sunday night at 9:42 p.m. when 17-year-old Kevin Anderson of Maryland became lost on the Slickrock Bike Trail.
     Anderson's parents dropped him off at the trail head and intended to pick him up an hour later after he had taken his rented mountain bike on a quick run around the practice loop. Instead, Anderson decided to try the real thing and ventured out onto the main trail, getting lost and stranded as soon as it got dark.
     When he didn't show up his parents became alarmed. Two cyclists at the parking lot volunteered to search for the lost boy but became lost themselves when it grew dark. They did not have flashlights. Anderson's parents later asked a passerby to call 911 when they reached Dave's Corner Market.
     Two search teams of paired ATVs drove the twisting and dangerous trails through the night while three other volunteers searched by foot, and a lone jeep patrolled the perimeter to the west near Swiss Cheese Ridge.
     Anderson was located by one of the ATV teams at 11:42 p.m. about five to six miles out on the trail, unharmed but thirsty. The lost searcher-cyclists were located earlier in the night a mile or two out on the trail and were escorted back to the parking lot by the three Search and Rescue hikers.
     Thursday, July 23, two Search and Rescue volunteers took all-night jeep rides on the Poison Spider Trail to rescue two mountain bikers who called from their cell phone around dusk to say that they were four to five miles out on the trail and -- though they weren't lost, and did have flashlights, water and food -- they were concerned about the lightning storm swirling around them and wanted a ride home. Both bikers and rescuers arrived back in town at 2:30 a.m.

Moab guidebook SAFETY FIRST!! This book will help you know the trails and know what is needed to ride them.

"There are trail guides; and then there's the real deal." ~ Bike Magazine

"Mountain Bike America's Moab guide is setting a new standard for guidebooks. Lee Bridgers' first-hand accounts give the reader a sense that they have some behind-the-scenes information about Moab." ~ Brian Fiske, Senior Editor of Mountain Bike Magazine

Lee Bridgers, Dreamride owner and founder, has written a very different mountain bike guide to Moab with a focus on environmentalism and safety. The 300 page book is filled with rich, detailed descriptions of over 40 Moab trails, supplemented by awesome photos and helpful relief maps. Stories of local characters and events accompany relating chapters. Read this book when coming to town, before your Dreamride vacation. It was written for first time and repeat visitors to Moab, and Dreamride clients especially, to be read on the toilet, in the bed or in the tub, as well as from the saddle. It will help you decide just how best to use our services and give a deeper understanding of the history and culture that thrives here. Get a signed copy. Call 1-888-MOABUTAH.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. WATER CARRYING, FLASH FLOODS AND LIGHTNING
  3. NAVIGATION, HYDRATION, EQUIPMENT, FOOD AND CLOTHING
  4. PLAN AHEAD AND LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
  5. CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER SELF-PROPELLED CREATURES
  6. TRAIL ETTIQUETTE
  7. UPDATES AND AMMENDMENTS

[Top of Page] [Next]

to reserveVacation CatalogDreamride HomepageReservationsScheduling
Call 1 (888) MOAB UTAH in the states.
If you are calling from foreign shores the number is 435-259-6419.
FAX number is 435-259-8196.
or write to:

Dreamride
P.O. Box 1137
Moab, UT 84532

For email contact information click on:
CURRENT DREAMRIDE EMAIL ADDRESS

copyright Dreamride 1997 None of the material, written, graphics, or photographs, may be broadcast, published, re-written, re-edited, or used in any way outside of this site without the written consent of Dreamride Mountain Bike Tours and Film Services and Lee Bridgers. Use of this site signifies agreement to terms of use.
The Road Makes the Trail Look Safe as Mother's Milk.
Donate to the Ross Dillion FoundationIn September of 2008 we were blessed with a call from Rusty Dillon, looking for a suspension seatpost for his old Yeti. What followed was a slow introduction to the heartbreaking story of Rusty's son, Ross, once a CAT 3 road racer. While training on a seemingly safe road in Sonoma, Ross was struck from behind by a driver searching for a drink in the back seat of her car. America's cult of the car, its lack of caring when it comes to health care, and the strength and resolve of a caring, loving family are no more evident than in the story of Ross Dillon. Click on the picture to go to Ross' website. There are updates on his condition there. And please, make a tax-deductable donation for Ross' care, if you can.

Mountain Bike Vacations based from Moab, Utah.
Reading about safety and survival is a good thing. Ride with the most experience hardcore day ride provider in the Moab area. Our guide services greatly reduce risks and greatly enhance the experience. Dreamride is the most experienced hardcore day ride provider in Moab, offering mountain bike vacations for solos, couples and groups no larger than five.
Moab 3 day mountain bike vacation The 3D can be a weekend getaway, a good choice for novices and out-of-shape intermediates, or a great Moab sampler for those with tight schedules. Moab 3 day mountain bike and/or road ride series For a small group of strong riders, the RFT is a great deal. Moab 5 day mountain bike vacation The 5 Daze has long been our most popular Moab package, best for fit novices, intermediate to expert riders. Moab 5 day ultimate slickrock mountain bike vacation The Ultimate is the 5 Daze package on steroids with luxurious lodgings just yards from our door, a Toyota Sequoia shuttle vehicle, expanded range, night rides and food and drink. Moab slickrock skills clinics If you want to learn how to ride a mountain bike, Moab has all the challenges. Dreamride has been running skills clinics in Moab for 10 years. Dreamride slickrock skills camps have been seen on ABC's Good Morning America and in Sunset and Mountain Bike Action Magazine. Guided day hikes around Moab If you need a hiking guide, Dreamride was Moab's first guided hike outfitter. Reserve a day hike series or combine hiking with mountain biking as part of any private package.