The day started at the headquarters of Rim Tours where the loading process began. Moving stuff from our cars to the tour truck, a huge Ford F350, custom fitted with every thing that we would need for the trip. Our bags with clothes and camping equipment all stacked, packed and tied down in a specific sequence . You could could quickly tell that these folks knew what they were doing. The bikes went on to the top of the passenger van.
With everything in order, introductions were made, quick briefing was held and we were on our way to the start of the trail. Our guides for the tour were Birdie and Dave. Folks that we would get to know better on the ride and would rely on for the entire route. The ride to the start of the trail in the Canyon National Park would be about an hour.
Arriving at the start, the bikes and riding equipment was unloaded and with a couple quick peeks over the edge of the rim provided us with a sobering view of what we'll be doing for the next 4 days. Starting at the rim, we would be dropping about 1000 feet to the desert floor below on via 12% grade switchbacks winding down the sheer wall. Miss a turn, and you won't have to worry about setting up camp tonight.
Dave and Birdie led a map briefing of today's ride with the destination being the "Airport" campsite.
Lunch was the a the landmark called Musselman Arch, at the 7 mile mark. The rest of the day was fairly flat but with soft sand on the trail and using a mountain bike that I was not familiar with, it was slow going.
The campground was called "Airport". So named because during the 50's this area was mined for uranium and this stretch was flat enough to allow cargo planes to land and take off. If you look at the photos, the last couple of photos are of a rock formation that was dubbed the tower as it overlooked the landing strip.
Brian
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