Rider Patrick Zarrick ,who has completed the Telluride to Moab route 4 or 5 times over the past ten years, has decided to take his adventure one step further...and do both routes back to back!  Leaving the Telluride trailhead on July 5, he completed the route, shuttled back, gave himself one day turnaround time and took off on the Durango Route yesterday!  Happy trails Patrick!

The Alternate Route available the first day of riding on the Durango Route is open!  Riders have reported that the Alternate Route on the second day was wet and muddy and encounter only patches of snow.

Nikki,

Thanks for the San Juan Huts!  This was, by far, the most strenuous but BEST vacation I've ever had!  I'll be back in 2009 for the Telluride to Moab route.  Tonight I'll start downloading my pictures and writing entries for my bike blog.  I had a GREAT time and was fortunate to have four great companions for the week.

Thanks for everything!  If you ever need someone to direct potential riders who might have questions, I'd be happy to help.

~Chris~

Hi Joe,

My name is Tyler Lucas. I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for providing us with the opportunity to ride mountain bikes on a multi day tour with minimal impact!! I've made the Telluride to Moab trip 3 times with Patrick Zarrick (he is a professor at my former high school - St. Louis University High). 
After living in Boulder for 4 years, I have been in Crested Butte for the past 3 years, biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The Telluride to Moab trips helped encourage me to pursue an active mountain lifestyle and career. I now work selling mountain adventures (winter and summer) to large groups. I love where I live and am thankful for the opportunity to get out in the hills for a little high country solitude.

Today, Patrick is probably sitting outside Last Dollar Hut enjoying the sunset (and thunderstorms?) from the top of the pass. I'll be joining him in Durango next week to start the new route (I couldn't swing 2 weeks off). I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait. 
Hope we get to see you and the dogs somewhere in between!

Regards,


Tyler Lucas

On June 7^th, 2008  the San Juan Hut Systems donated a free Telluride to Moab hut trip to Bret Weitzel and his team toward his efforts to raise money for the Children's Cancer Fund of New Mexico. Brett is a cancer survivor and made the ride just eight months after having his right leg amputated following a 13-year battle with cancer. You can visit Brett's web site here and read more about his story. 

Click through here to see the article about the trip that appeared tin the Moab Times newspaper

 

One of the most common questions asked by riders is "what kind of carry system should I use?" Joe Ryan owner of the San Juan Hut Systems offers this advice.

 
You basically have 3 options, pannier bags, trailers, and backpacks.

I recommend panniers and a solid rack like those made by Old Man Mountain (see our resource tip here). Stay away from seat post racks at all costs. They just plain can't handle this terrain and will break.  We have had several calls from riders telling us their seat post rack broke and they had to leave gear in a hut. Old Man Mountain racks are available through our local shop Peak to Peak Bicycles .

 

Trailers, why bring a trailer? You shouldn't need that much stuff. That's why you signed up for a San Juan Hut Systems trip. We provide most everything you need.  Trailers also are not a good option in mud. On spring and monsoon season trips (around July 10 to about September 10) you will see a lot of mud. The mud you encounter on routes is not your typical mud; it is the super gooey stuff that will gum up a trailer in no time leaving you in a world of hurt. Trailers will also prevent you from having maximum fun on the alternate single track routes.

 

A good backpack or hydration pack is a fine option as long as you aren't carrying too much. If you can travel ultra light this is all you should need. A big heavy pack on your back however is a sure way to take the fun out of a trip. It will throw you off balance and cause you serious pain.