As it is the middle of winter there were few companies operating, and those that were, didn’t have flexible schedules that fitted my time frame. Luckily I chanced upon “Mountain Bike Buddies” based in St George Southern Utah about 4-5 hours south of Moab and 1.5 hrs north of Las Vegas. Mark Errickson runs a one man band with a big Ford Explorer he is able to cram 7-8 riders and bikes on board.

As I had been to Moab before, and the weather would be kinder south of there, Mark recommended we stay around his home base of St George. I had previously had a local trail, GOOSEBERRY MESA recommended by a Yukon friend, Dr Ross.  Mark also told me of several other close by, well known  trails: BEAR CLAW POPPY,  PROSPECTOR,  GUACOMOLE,  CHURCH  HILLS,  RIM TRAIL, JEM,  and a just opened 10km loop  BARRELL ROLL .

At 60 years of age Mark Errickson is not your hardcore mountain biker; but he does love to show people around his state and he knows more trails than most. Mark recommended I hire one of his bikes and with Qantas wanting around $400 minimum to transport my Giant and Mark charging me $80 for 4 days it was an easy decision. The brand new Kona Dawg was a great surprise. Ideally, Mark has group bookings of 4 or more, however with my mid winter arrival it was only Mark and I in the big rig.

The first day we rode one of the USA’s most popular trails Gooseberry Mesa. As Mark hadn’t ridden in awhile and had a cold, I was the “gun,” not a position I’m used to. Halfway thru’ Mark “pulled the pin” and I was on my own .With Mountain Lion tracks in the middle of the trail and all the water holes iced over I was in unfamiliar territory; and “luvin it”! It wasn’t till the last day that I realized, the brakes were rigged up moto style which accounted for some of my mishaps. Gooseberry is a really tight technical fascinating, fun, slickrock trail unlike anything I have ridden elsewhere, including Moab.

The following day we headed out early but the sleet and (really) freezing rain, was something I wasn’t  ready for and as I would be riding on my own there was an element of risk  that  we decided was not worth taking. 

The motel Mark recommended was one of the best I have stayed in anywhere and great value at $70 US per night. The Olive Tree Italian restaurant a block down the road served sensational food and friendly efficient service with surprisingly reasonable prices.

Day three and Mark and I drove out to one of the local loops called Church Rocks. With a mud map in my pocket and Mark in his car patiently reading his book. I was on my own again but relishing the chance to explore new terrain. Just like here, each trail has its own character of specific soil types and rock formations and flora.

For lunch, Mark recommended one of the best Mexican restaurants in Utah, brilliant and a unique experience. Without any time to let lunch settle, we were back in the Explorer and off to try Bear Claw Poppy, apparently “on any weekend” one of the busiest trails in the US. Luckily it wasn’t the weekend and apart from some hikers with a couple of Harlequin Great Danes I had the trail to myself. It’s a relatively short downhill trail , about 6 k’s with lots of jump park type stuff…..I can understand why it’s so popular but it was the trail I liked least.

My shuttle was waiting at the end and then we headed for a brand new trail built with IMBA guidance called Barrell Roll; this trail was the most similar to our style of cross country, with a gentle contour climb and similar rolling return, around a couple of hills. The views from all points of the massive surrounding chiseled red rocks were truly inspiring.

I slept soundly that night with 3 trails under my belt for the day and a belly full of wine and food.

Next day was to be my last and I only had the morning for riding, so Mark picked me up earlier and we headed for the JEM trailhead. What a hoot! Anyone from a downhiller to ardent XC extremist will love this gently descending singletrack roll. Thru’ what is essentially desert it rolls along at a very fast pace in scenery that has you looking for the wagon train , Indians,  stagecoaches and posse’s .The finish is alongside a dramatic river gorge  with no room for any mistakes.

This ride was a quick and easy hour; so back in the shuttle and off to a trail that Mark’s friend established in recent years called Guacomole. Like Gooseberry, it is on top of a mesa (tabletop mountain) and would be impossible to find without a guide and probably impossible to get around and out also. Mark assured me this was a rare treat and even mounted his Kona to give me a personalized tour. With the snowcapped red mountains of Zion National Monument in the background and only Mark’s intermittent tyretrack’s to follow it was like a skatepark on steroids, built on a postcard like landscape. Mark had saved the best till last and I vowed to return with my Aussie mountain biking buddies.

I can’t recommend Mark’s services highly enough .He’s knowledgeable, patient, efficient, friendly and tells some of the best stories, as well as reasonably priced. 

Mark Errickson,     Mountain Bike Buddies, St George, Utah  ……………google it and you’re on your way.

I’m planning a trip for October 2011. Probably 2 weeks. Mark will charge you around $500 US per week for unlimited shuttles bike and gear! I recommend his bikes and your gear, pedals, helmet, etc. If you don’t buy anything over there (very hard) it will probably cost around $6,000 aus. A new bike could cost that much. But in 6 months it’ll be an old bike. The sights and trails in Utah will be fresh for the rest of your life. When you are on your deathbed it will be the people you’ve met, the places you’ve been, and the things you’ve done that will be important…….the bank balance and size of house will have no value.  If you are interested email me :   hhtmail@aapt.net.au