Immobile on the Island in the Sky

Canyonlands is split into two sections, the Needles and the Islands in the Sky. The Needles is supposed to be the most spectacular area but sadly we didn't realise the two halves of the park are not actually connected by roads as we typed the visitor centre into our sat-nav - DOH! 

This was not as problematic as it might sound as Ralph managed to do his back in on the road bike ride the previous day. This meant 2 days of Fiona Driving Miss Daisy, with Ralph laid flat on his back on the back seats. We only managed a small walk at Canyonlands as Ralph was without his Zimmer frame. 

We camped in the desert for one night at Horsethief campsite near Deadhorse state park, the sunset was amazing, and luckily we saw no dead or stolen horses.

Hobbling in a scenic location, poor old boy.

Just 2 miles of walking and the views were amazing

It took Ralph a long time to stand up again after sitting down

OK, OK we get the idea the view was good.........

driving mr donkey

The slick and the prickly

If there is a place to rival Whistler for the crown of mountain biking mecca it may well be Moab, home to the world famous slick rock trail. We spent 3 days biking in and around Moab, 2 offroad, 1 on road

The whole enchilada http://vimeo.com/16105154 which end in the famous porcupine rim trail.

slick rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NkgQ7pzdC0

At the top - yes we cheated and took the bus

A trek remedy, Fi got the even more rad yeti 575

Fis rad bike failed in the first 20 minutes, the back brake blew out making the next 31 miles down hill not something to look forward to. Luckily we sorted out a ride with Bob a high school biology teacher  and paragliding instructor who studied at a Finish Communist community on Vancouver island. Ralph continued on his own...........................

The view at the top was pretty

The trail went very close to the cliff at times

10 miles down, 21 to go

The mural at the bike shop was amazing

The next day Fi got a new bike and we decided to do slick rock with Jose Louis a nice Mexican guy we met on the bike bus the previous day

The trail was marked with painted lines, stupidly we set out at midday on a trail with very little shade

Jose manged all the up, needless to say we didn't - the rock is so grippy though that you can go up nearly vertical slopes

Shade at last

The views from the trail were amazing

Half way round and still feeling OK

Ant carrying so rubbish

By the end the heat got to Ralph, it was more of a slog than a good time by the last 4 of the 18 miles, 

This is supposed to be the second most scenic land fill in America

The road ride