Wow thanks for the compliment! The St. George and Hurricane region is one of my favourite anywhere and I return frequently to ride the trails over and over. I might want to do a collaboration video…let me check back with you closer to March. Thanks for watching!

Definitely, it’s a short drive to Bryce Canyon and well worth the trip from St. George. And while you are there you might want to see/hike the Amphitheater.

I really don’t know. I’ve seen others take trailers in there but the roads are a little sketchy and few places to turn around. Might be best to ask in Hurrricane about trailers.

The St George and Hurricane region has so many great trails…it should be an awesome trip!

I like that! A Goldilocks ride…not too fast and not too slow…just right! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the compliment! That is one of my top all time favorites! Thanks for watching!

Hmm don’t know…will have to look! Thanks!

I had a closer look - I also looked at it frame by frame at 1:39-1:41 and I think you might be right. There is definitely something up that tree on the right, as I round the corner. It could be a large birds nest or a bear. But, I didn't notice it during the ride. And this is one of the reasons I record my rides, I often can't enjoy the scenery until I watch the video later, that I am so focused on following a line or avoiding obstacles on the trail that I can't look up all that often. We had been warned of grizzly bears on this mountain, so I was hoping that we could avoid them, but it's always a risk. Thanks for watching!

You from that region? This looks like an awesome trail. We’re heading up this summer and I figure I’d better bring bring the bikes.

I am from Vancouver. I rode that last August on a long road trip to Alaska. The Carcross region has some great trails. Definitely, take your bike.

Nope but I’ve had COVID…

Ron, I would still check with your doctor about an inhaler. Your videos are great 👍

Interesting that I was going to comment on how listening to your breathing kinda stresses me a bit. Based on all the videos that I’ve watched, your fitness level is obviously amazing, but the breathing really does get to me a bit! No judgement here, just commenting!

Thanks!

Very epic! Also not for everyone… I think the hike a bike was maybe an hour. Hard to say exactly because it slowly transitions and gradually gets steeper until it gets too steep…probably 15% or more. Also heed all my precautions noted in the video. Thanks for watching!

If you want to boondock/dispersed camp, there are some amazing spots right on Gooseberry Mesa. Last spring we stayed within sight of the trailhead parking lot. There is also a lot of good boondocking by along Sheep Bridge Road near the town of Hurricane.

You can camp right on Gooseberry Mesa at the BLM dispersed sites which are right along the gravel road just before the trailhead. However, if you are expecting rain, I wouldn’t camp there as the access road can get very muddy. The area can get very busy these days, especially around weekends so I would also advise arriving early in the morning.

That’s right. You can ride the Hurricane Cliffs trail region from the campsites on Sheep Bridge road.

Thanks for the compliment! I’m a little older than you…but never too old to ride Gooseberry Mesa! Thanks for watching!

BTW, I also have ride videos for all the other trails on Gooseberry Mesa and nearby Wire Mesa, so you can fill your boots with awesome rides! You can find them best by using the Google Map on my Ronsworld.ca website and zooming into the Hurricane region.

@@ronsanderson99 I’ve been watching many of them. And your Moab vids too 👍

I’m 57 and training for retirement as well 😅. I added an Orbea EMTB to my stable and I absolutely love it. I still have the skills for technical riding but I don’t have the strength and endurance I once had, no matter how hard I train. But my workouts on the EMTB are often as good as my analog bike (avg heartrate, power, etc). As you get older, you may want to look at an EMTB. More and more trails are being opened to EMTB and frankly, as long as you’re respectful and ride responsibility, no one seems to mind EMTBs. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ron as he continues to power with the analog MTB. Crazy skills and endurance, Ron! - Rob

@ thanks for the compliment! I’m hoping to pedal as long as I can!

Thanks for the compliment! And I like your idea to ride it both ways…the trail looks quite different when riding the other way. But then, you would probably want to also do the South Rim trail as an out and back as well…and not to pair the two trails together. Maybe an overall good idea to spend more time on Gooseberry! Thanks for watching!

@@ronsanderson99 I think you have the solution: more time on Gooseberry!

I use Google Earth…you also have to upload the gps coordinates for the trails.

@ brilliant thanks mate just “googled it” I’m gonna start doing that looks great ! And a great video enjoyed it

Thanks for the compliment! Never too old to have some fun and try something new. I will admit that riding Portal is a bit “out there”, but there are lots of “stretch” goals on more rideable trails. Moab has an awesome selection! Thanks for watching!

Yup, sooner than later…it’s a unique trail, and so much fun!

Always looking to stay safe! But GJ is not a bad destination!

Lots of great trails to choose from. I would also now add one more to this list, the Rodeo trail up near the Horsethief campground.

Thanks! Awesome ride and scenery!

Thanks for the compliment! Riding a trail like this is about being prepared, and the hike up section, for me, is about being mentally prepared for it in advance - I find that makes it easier. Thanks for watching!

Yes, a very fun trail! And probably harder than it looks, the technical bits are challenging! Thanks for watching!

Moab is so awesome, and there are so many outstanding trails, I can’t describe it! But I think that overall, Mag 7 is even more epic than the Whole Enchilada and harder than Captain Ahab or Jackson’s. Thanks for the compliment and for watching!

@@ronsanderson99 Ya no prop's. Always good to watch your rides! We will be doing more Mag7 trails next time we go to Moab and I've had Captain Ahab/HyMasa area in mind for next time too......and more of course. Ride safe and keep the great vids comin'!

@@thatisartnotpffft6368 thanks for the compliment…and you can count on more excellent ride videos coming! Thanks for watching!

Yes, I think the Gold Bar Rim was my favourite segment of the whole ride! Epic trail but kinda difficult to access, otherwise it would be way more popular! Thanks for watching!

Is "blue dot" the trail you can see on strava heatmap? It takes of upwards earlier than the hike a bike...

@@Fluffracka Blue Dot is the former name for what they now call Gold Bar Rim Singletracks on Trailforks. It’s the first section along the top of the rim. It is after you complete the hike section.

@@Fluffracka It most likely is the original “blue dot” route. That part of the route was closed, removed from trail maps and the blue paint was removed where it met Gold Bar (Mag 7) so riders would no longer know where to go, (unless you know of course) As you get 50 yards upward towards the rim off of Gold Bar (Mag 7) you’ll start seeing the Blue trail markings again and it becomes easy to follow. The riding through there is incredible and will take you up to what is know known as Gold Bar Rim (formerly Blue Dot) as mentioned before this old route bypasses the jeep road BS and the straight up hike a bike to the rim. Now, keep in mind the OG route was closed to preserve wildlife and technically probably illegal but is still clearly ridden. If you look on Trailforks, basically where Goldbar (Mag 7) meets Goldbar (old road) is where you turn (there is a sign there that reads something about going straight into the 4x4 route) The OG route is quicker as well because you’re riding slickrock instead of janky loose 4x4 road and no HAB

Thanks for the compliment…a very sweet trail! And thanks for watching!

Thanks for the compliment. And I agree that including some brief sections on the hike-a-bike make the ride more real…as well as my mistake further down. Certainly not a trail for the feint of hart. Thanks for watching!

Yup, I don’t call my rides Epic very often, only for the very special trails! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the compliment! I would say Mag 7 is harder and scarier than Whole Enchilada. And the scenery I’d also probably even better, if you can believe that! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the compliment! Yes, it’s a very challenging ride! And thanks for watching!

Portal is among probably the two or three hardest trails I’ve ever ridden. But an epic ride with world class scenery. Thanks for watching!

@@ronsanderson99 🫡

Thank you very much for the compliment and for watching once again!!

Yea! The whole trail is tough. But I bet you clean way more of the trail then you did way back when! Thanks for watching!

Yea, definitely not a ride for the squeamish! But what a day of riding! Thanks for watching!!

Yes lots of Herbert Jeeves…I once watching someone ride it with a drone. The ledginess will make you want to walk the whole thing! But the scenery, in person, left me speechless!! Thanks for watching!

Yea, cringe worthy is right! And while Portal was mostly one long cringe, I had to be zoned for much of Gold Bar Rim as well. Probably the most intense hour long segment I’ve ever ridden. But the scenery there, in person, speechless!! Thanks for watching!

Yes I agree…I was totally zoned for about half of the Portal. Gripping my handlebars tightly. White buckles. But, oh what a ride! And being confident in that slabby lower section, having ridden some very steep slabs in Squamish, gave me such a sense of accomplishment! Thanks again for watching. I will have some more moderate rides forthcoming!

If you look at the trail elevation profiles on Trailforks, your best options might become apparent. There is the lower section of Goldbar (Mag 7), which begins as a blue, and where the hike-a-bike begins somewhere about half way on the blue Goldbar. This section averages about 8-12 percent grade, which is periodically rideable depending upon technical terrain. But then the sequence transitions into a second climb up the double black Gold Bar Rim where the grade is now around 15 percent which is quite difficult to ride sustainably. The video segment where I turn around a pan the scenery is very near the top of this segment. So the views here are outstanding, and a cool thing to do, if you don't want to ride along the top of the Rim, would be to do the hike up to the rim but then descend back down where you came from to the road as you mention. The hike-a-bike is not technically hard, just physically hard. So, the return segment would be rewarding to ride, but you would need to be physically prepared for this long slog up to the Rim. But, if I understand your plan correctly, I think you could ride up the blue Goldbar and back down at the first right on Gold Bar Rim road back to Arth's Corner. And while the blue Goldbar would be great scenic singletrack, the return downhill segment is a doubletrack where the OHVs frequent. You will see what the doubletrack looks like from the brief segments on my video where I encounter the OHVs. Returning on this segment would be decent, and not all that challenging, but probably not as enjoyable as the blue Goldbar. Also, if you start at the parking lot at the top of Getaway, then your return climb will make for a pretty big day. As an alternative, there is a parking lot at the top of Great Escape where you could shorten your day. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the information. When I did the route the first time and exited after Little Canyon I didn't really find the ride that physically challenging. I will think about the route but perhaps I will ride up the blue Goldbar and then perhaps try and do some of the Goldbar Rim to the lookout and then turn around and head back. I'm usually up for a climbing challenge :)

Yea, Porcupine is ledgy too and hard enough, but both Gold Bar Rim and Portal make Porcupine look easy. But the sweeping views along Gold Bar make that one, if you can stop or take your eyes off the trail long enough, IMHO, even better than Porcupine. If it wasn't for the big climb to get back up to Gold Bar, I think this sequence would be significantly more popular than it is. If you are prepared to do the "hike-a-bike" and walk many sections of Portal, as needed, then Mag 7 makes for an outstanding day. I also think that one needs to "park your ego at the door" and not try to ride sections of Portal that are too risky. I actually prefer Mag 7 to the Whole Enchilada...but you also need to be more prepared. Thanks for watching!

Hi Loic! Glad you found my channel and nice to have you along for the rides! Over the past few years I’ve travelled to some pretty great places to MTB ride and discovered some of the best trails. I I’d ride trails at all levels so I’m sure you will see some videos for both you and your girlfriend to ride! Thanks for watching!

Yes, it is one of my all time favorites too! And Gooseberry Mesa has so many other excellent trails as well! Thanks for watching!

I think it really depends upon how it feels to you. My preference is to go up in size if you’re in the middle rather than go down. But if it doesn’t feel comfortable or the reach feels too far, then choose the smaller size. Thanks for watching!

@@ronsanderson99 Doesn’t the genius actually have more travel than the 2021reign? Couldn’t you decrease the psi in the genius to make it more supple? Especially when you can flick the twin lock lever feature to make it stiff again? I am a fan of Giant (I'm a trance x owner), but it’s just difficult to get a new Giant in my size in country of residence.

The Scott Genius has 160/150mm front/rear travel. The Giant Reign had 170/146mm front/rear in 2021 and upgraded to 170/160mm front/rear in 2022. And yes, you could just decrease the psi to make the suspension more supple. But the idea of completely locking out the suspension with the handlbar mounted switch is what I was referring to. That the idea to completely close off the suspension to make it perform like a "hard-tail" and climb better would still be an issue of comfort. Regardless, I still love my Giant Reign, but the Genius is a pretty cool bike and worthy of a test ride to see if it works! Thanks for watching!

@@ronsanderson99 but doesn’t it have a middle setting for climbs? The regular Genius does seem to as far as I can tell from the specs. Anyhow with my Trance SX, it has a Talas fork to enable the bike to switch from 140 to 160 at the front & I seem to be able to do more technical downhill in the 140 setting as it is more precise steering. This is for steep technical down hill where I care about not dabbing more than speed. I know that goes against the grain that more travel is always better for descents… And as far as the sizing, I am between sizes, and if I use the RAD system, I should size down. So still mulling between a new genius or a reign. Any thoughts?

They are both good bikes…probably look for the better deal?

Yes, definitely put this on your to-do list!

Thanks for the compliment! Glad that these videos inspire you to ride them…the trails also inspire me to video and share them. There are so many great trails throughout Utah! Thanks for watching!

Yup rode by myself. And yes, it’s a long ride. I use gps from strava…but if you are thinking about a satellite service, then that is Zoleo, which comes with an electronic device and a monthly service fee.

Thanks for the compliment! I think Part 2 of this ride is even better...more challenging and scary but also even better views, if you can believe it! Thanks for watching!

Yes, it is definitely a dream! But, Part 2 is a little more "type 2 fun"...where, in spite of the challenge to come, the sense of accomplishment is part of the reward. And the scenery enroute left me speechless to describe! It definitely made for an ovall epic day! Thanks for watching!

GoPro camera never fully capture how steep or difficult MTB trails are. The trail starts east and gets progressively difficult and technical as you descend. So the middle section could be an easy black or a hard blue…you can decide. All the features can be walked around if necessary. But the ledgy bench cuts in some sections might unnerve less skilled riders. I think the shuttle was $25-30, and you could search for Richfield MTB shuttles, their website should pop up. It’s an awesome ride but better to do when the trail is clear and the weather is warm. The high trail elevation will close higher sections in the winter. Thanks for watching!

Yes, it's an awesome bike! But I have ridden mine sooooo much that it's getting a little worn out, so I am starting to look for my next ride...probably will be the same bike, but a newer model! Thanks for watching!

I need to return and ride more of the local trails! Thanks for watching!

@ Of course! Keep the great content coming!

I am planning to explore more trails in the Southern California region. But yikes, I’m not sure I want to encounter too many rattlesnakes! Should I be carrying poison antidotes or taking special precautions?

Wow! My lifetime count in Cali is about that. Had one try and bite me once during a ride. I went by him too fast :)

@@charlieharper4975 The 13 was a record for me. Before that it was 10. The number was higher this year because we had two straight winters of rain and wildlife has come back after 5 years of drought.