Why I Love Riding Bikes - Solo Ride on Navajo Rocks Trail in Moab, UT - Hardtail Party

Why do you love mountain biking? In this episode, I share some of my favorite reasons I ride mountain bikes. Did you learn something valuable? If so, show your appreciation and support this channel by becoming a Patron today: / hardtailparty
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Trails ridden:
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[@L4J20]

"All my troubles melt away when I mountain bike." .......exactly 😊

[@DevanSisson]

Yes! I’d argue that biking in general is freeing.

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

I enjoy listening to you Steve, it's not Rambling at all. Plus, I'm re-learning some things that have escaped me over the years since getting back into MTB. So thanks for sharing/teaching Brother.......🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾👍🏾

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

I LOVE reading and learning about things that have been Petrified over the History of our World. Like that Slick Rock, it does look just like a Sand Dune, and it became Petrified way before we were ever thought of.......WOW! 🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾

[@kathardt-holoch4361]

I totally agree with your assessment of why you ride.

[@jonthesailorman]

We just rode the Big Mesa loop last week! My Fuse and my girlfriend’s Fathom did great! Our favorite part of mountain biking is we get to get outside and appreciate nature.

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

I appreciate the HEADS UP on the Trails out there Steve, 🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾👍🏾And it is a Beautiful View.

[@Cotictimmy]

My fave video so far - along with the Ionic Johnny Rotten ride. 😍

[@caseybot1433]

We found Navajo rocks last time out and loved it, @58 I agree with you the fun trails don’t have to be the hardest trails

[@dhosinski]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. MOAB was at the top of my bucket list. I made it back in 2016 and Navajo Rocks was the first trail I rode. I was at the 2016 OUTERBIKE event. It was a great experience to be able to. Test so many cool bikes.

[@douglasyoung927]

This is the kind of trail I love and I live near many of them but I also live near many trails that are steeper and more aggressive. My passion in mountain biking comes from finding smooth lines, flow, and pumping a trail where there seems to be no way to do so. Sometimes if you just slow down you can unlock the full potential of any trail and have more fun than you can on the rougher "high skill" trails that everyone obsesses over. I almost always ride alone because I've never met another 'serious' mountain biker that enjoys the slower "fundamental skill" trails that can allow you to push your riding to the next level.

[@hardtailparty]

Come ride with me, I love slow rides.

[@Themilkmanskid.]

Great narration! That looked fun, 'cept the night part😄. Great vid!

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

Very well Marked Trail.

[@stephenkohler3472]

I used to think Moab was completely overrated. I loved the town, the scenery and the camping but the trails just seemed insanely brutal, full of jeeps or both... Then I did Navajo rocks one spring and was like, "Oh. THIS is why this place is special" I didn't want that trail to ever end.

[@CasperRc81]

Greed of the bike and the gadgets it comes with. I love the immature bmx riding it goes along with it also. Like that the bike can replace a vehicle for the some points. And conquering challenges. Have little friends so ride solo a bunch. Thank you for your honesty.

[@michaelwoodward5787]

Wish I was there! Got to go west someday . Great video!

[@StefsMTB]

Never been to Moab. I ride alone most of the time due to my work schedules. I don’t like riding alone but the alternative is not to ride at all. I do live the meditative aspect of riding alone though. Sessioning alone sucks but you do what you live to improve.

[@pixeljedi8472]

My favorite “normal” ride in Moab!

[@jamesdschmidt_]

Even though I've been riding for years I really enjoyed your narration. Don't feel like you are rambling. I could soak up your thoughts for days. Keep the shows coming please!

[@jamespilar9840]

Great info thanks,I enjoyed to hear your version on The reason you ride.

[@chameleonpogono]

Riding is a good way to relax and forget about things. Those are fun trails. I'm glad I was able to ride them.

[@_CrankZilla]

Man that rock wall section ! Reminds me of Tatooine. I was expecting a Jawa to pop out! 👍😎🌴

[@isaaclavoie]

I rode these trails last month in my first ever trip to Moab, and it was an AWESOME to start with this trail. Fantastic, varied, great views. Sadly just seeing this video now, great job.

[@jasonlewis6914]

Love that fact you ride all hardtails. I have a Jamis hardtail. completely deck it out all titanium bolts handlebar barends quick release. Fsa afterburner wheels. Keep up the awesome work man 👊

[@hardtailparty]

Sounds killer!

[@annkirton9918]

my favorite part of mountain biking is the rhythm of breathing and climbing. its like going to a rave just focusing on movement. I lasted 10 minutes on the practice loop in 1991 (pre suspension) before bending my front rim in an over the bars accident

[@djlarroc]

What a great video! I love where my MTB can take me. Places most people don’t go.

[@breakandrun70]

That was a super cool trail, especially at night. It looks like it would be a lot of fun. I love mountain biking, for the exercise, solitude and meeting people.Have a great party in the mountains and be safe.

[@jordanrhodes]

Amazing trail. But you really go out of your way to educate and give some nice historical facts. Your appreciation for nature is contagious as well. Nice work.

[@ronin550]

This was the best info I've heard about Moab!! And now I know where to start!! Appreciate it, this was out freaking standing 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@hardtailparty]

Wow, thanks Kirk.

[@baddriversofcolga]

My brother and I did a roadtrip across the country in August and this was the trail we did in Moab. Lots of fun with some challenges but not too exhausting.

[@bigshan5806]

Your knowledge and respect for the area is awesome. You love the sport, a man who’s passionate about what he does makes what he does cool for himself and for others. Thx again for another great vid.

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks BigShan.

[@rjahn3000]

I agree on the de-stress aspect of riding, when you ride your mind is focused constantly on riding and you really can't think of other things so the stress melts away. Thanks for the video I will be riding Moab soon!!

[@cellphonenut]

Steve such relaxing footage really enjoyed it thanks so much for sharing 👍

[@brannonjones3668]

Great Video! Keep it up! Just discovered you and subscribed after this one and the timberjack review. Great riding footage. Thoughtful conversation. I’m stoked!

[@smithfamily710]

Mountain biking is my happy place. I use to race but now l love to ride solo, it helps me to relax. Moab is on my bucket list along with whistler, but l still have so many great trails here in Australia to explore.

[@sparks701]

What an amazing ride. That's going on the bucket list for sure. I like solo rides and a night ride is so much fun.

[@shaunroach7829]

What a great video!! Loved the transition from daylight to night the trail in darkness look unbelievable to ride!!! Great job Steve this channel has become my favourite KZbin MTB channel!! As always you give a great explanation of things and your review of products is always educational!! 👌👌💪💪👍👍🙌🙌🙌

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks Shaun, that means so much.

[@JimmyRadloff]

Dude... I just posted something on Facebook today with a very similar message about letting your stress just melt away by getting outdoors and enjoying yourself. I'll have to ride that trail next time I go to Moab. I loved riding the Mag 7 trails...we skipped the last two trails though which made it so much nicer. Gold bar and Portal at the end of a long ride is just brutal.

[@hardtailparty]

Agreed. I have only ridden all of mag 7 once. It was a death March. I much prefer mag 5.

[@ericcontreras8863]

Love riding for the Fitness and the adventure.

[@tamserenity]

I think it is also therapy to get out on the lake in a boat and drown a worm. I love my hardtail for sure tho!

[@ravynx]

Moab is on my bucket list. So many places to go on our great planet, heck even in just our country. We're planning our first out-of-city trip to Palo Duro Canyon in North Texas next spring.

[@mbiraside]

Enjoyed the video, the commentary, esp history, local culture/customs , ie crypto soil etc. Keep doing these. As a beginner its very informative for me. Never ridden on slab rock, enjoyed cactus runs , or seen a rattlesnake, but i want to. Getting a rigid plus in about a month, hopefully it will work out. As a past gear reviewer you should put out a vid on your thoughts for shades, shorts, gloves, shirts, backpacks, hip bags etc. You'd have at least one listener. Thanks for tsking me along the ride. The desert is awesome.

[@JEMMTB1]

I just put this vid in my list 'must ride here' I'm from Australia and it is a stay home event, but it's not forever, I'll take your advice and ride here 1st, hopefully in a year or so. Great vid Steve thanks

[@bass-player.22]

I really enjoy clearing a really techy trail on my hard tail

[@ipok77]

admired your hardtail bike,,, im into hardtrail bike... great ride you have.

[@peterides9568]

Oh man. I think I need to do a huge North America trip one day. So many cool trails. I also need to edit more videos to maybe get you guys interested one what we have going on down here.... Thanks for that inspiration too!

[@MichaelJohnson-iz4xn]

One of my favorites! Haven't ridden it solo yet. Great video!

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

Wow 😮 awesome trails looks really cool great video 👍😊🚵‍♀️

[@JustinRamseyphotography]

I always ride Navajo Rocks loop when I am down there. Sure I hit the Whole Enchilada, Captain Ahab, Mag 7 etc, but this is a great recovery/mellow ride between the tougher rides. It is also like you said a great start to Moab, just like Klondike Bluffs, both are way overlooked as great trail systems down there. Thanks for the commentary!

[@arod4084]

Great Video! Steve. I also love how quite my Chromag Stylus is compared to my Ghost Framer aluminum full suspension.

[@ronanderson5736]

I have not been to Moab, but it's on the list, I plan on moving out to the Prescott area, so looking forward to it. My philosophy on riding is same as yours, nothing finer than being out on the trail. Wow, what an awesome trail.

[@hardtailparty]

Prescott is booming right now. Lots of great trails too.

[@ronanderson5736]

@@hardtailparty looking forward to the great riding out there! Probably be coming out next month! Thanks

[@ajmalave9510]

Hi there! New subscriber, I loved this video I was just in Moab recently doing some reconnaissance on what trails to take my mtb on since I’m an intermediate/beginner I didn’t think there was much for me to ride, thanks for the recommendation. I have to go back now!!!

[@mikelynch8842]

i normally do not like just pov vids, but that was good with good info.

[@hardtailparty]

I hear ya! I try not to film too much POV unless I can add some interesting info. Thanks for watching.

[@scotti_wan_kenobi]

I like riding with friends because you can have a laugh and joke about stuff, and get things off your chest. But I kind of prefer riding alone for the meditative aspect that you mentioned, just me and my bike out in the countryside. I live in the UK, but my children live in BC, about an hour from Vancouver. I plan to ride there as much as I can. I'm planning some bike packing trips in Scotland and Wales next year.

[@honzomonkeybusiness515]

Awesome video! Beautiful scenery! Where i'm from (Sweden) it´s all greasy roots, slippery rocks and mud this time of year :) I wanna ride in the desert on "a (steel) horse with no name" ;)

[@abel2cycle989]

I watched this video and it helped me so much on my switch backs. I might just do a night ride. I only have 1 video on my channel and it's my hardtail. The way you speak/talk about riding has helped alot, I learned a couple things watching your videos👍 but listening to you talk about switch backs has helped. I'm having my 5th kid, so not sure if I get to make it to utah, my goal this year is Sedona az, but not the festival. I'd like to ride some trails in Sedona. Also when I'm on my bike road/mountain bike I'm free. All the stress goes away. Its strange, like I'm really alive, that's why I ride. Anyways great content. 👊😎🤙

[@StaggerLee68]

3 pedal strokes on a bike and we're 7 year old badass kids again. Cycling cures what ails ya.

[@rotorwind177]

Looks like a great loop! We will have to check it out next time we are in Moab. Unfortunately didn’t get to it this trip.

[@isaacreynolds7768]

I rode that trail!!! That's a super fun one Steve!!

[@hardtailparty]

Awesome! Yeah, it's a blast. Great climbs, great flats, and great descents.

[@shamrock4840]

This video gave me anxiety @ the end - being in the desert riding @ night and trail markers fading in the dark. My East coast brain says no way.

[@squishlefunke]

Wish I was back out west this week - It's been a week of gloomy wetness here in New England 😥... But Sunday everyone in the MTB community up here will be de-stressing when it clears out. PS... Cryptobiotic is such a cool word. I'll have to find a way to work it into conversation.

[@Guineson]

took 3 or 4 sit downs, but i watched it all. it really does look like a great ride, moab would be sweet to visit but i wont hold my breath lol. i love night riding as i often actually ride better since focus is higher and less likely to get distracted by my surroundings. i run 2 lights 1 on the bar with a diffuser and 1 on the helmet as i find it helps a bit more with shadows and judging features.

[@hardtailparty]

I think you deserve a medal for finishing the video. I didnt expect people to make it all the way through!

[@Guineson]

@@hardtailparty haha i really enjoy your videos and dialogue along with riding style. my video watching is generally in 10 / 15 min intervals so these longer videos can take a while, but you and dusty betty both put out great relatable videos that i always try and watch in complete

[@lostman65]

nice video steve! i was out there this past weekend... i rode half that trail sunday afternoon. i wanted to do one more trail before i headed back to colorado. it was my first time riding that trail, i loved it.

[@hardtailparty]

Awesome. Which half did you do? Big lonely to ramblin?

[@lostman65]

@@hardtailparty i did rocky tops to middle earth to ramblin.

[@hardtailparty]

@@lostman65 That's a great way to ride it. Way less climbing. Super fun trail.

[@lazylearner967]

Those glasses are sweet. I need prescription lens so I feel my options are limited. How are you doing?

[@williamkinzel3635]

awesome video! have ridden navajo numerous times and it is super fun. Totally agree with your sentiment. I've ridden portal too and did I have more fun? Not really..... I mean I rode it fine but is MTB really about just riding the most gnarly lines? not for me.... Anyways I also run the OneUp hypercompliant Bar on my honzo with Pike ultimate fork. is it noticeable? I don't notice it.... but it looks cool... again nice work! heading to Moab in a few weeks with the wife. will for sure be hitting Navajo zone.

[@flist121]

This video is awesome! My son and I are planning to come in the spring and these are the trails I've picked out for us to do first and your video was super informative. Any suggestions on a good time to go in the spring? We are coming from Canada so don't want to hit closures from the winter. Was thinking beginning of April, but your input would be super appreciated.

[@fredcotterell2978]

Hey Rodney. I too love Moab. Please feel free to share any rides or tips you may come up with over on Fat Biking and Health.Wade ( Bansherune) turned me on to your videos)

[@GCarnell]

❤️ Great video. Thanks for all the gear tips. Have any for prescription protective eyewear?

[@hardtailparty]

I know prescription eyewear exists, but I don't know much about it.

[@hardtailparty]

Why do you love riding bikes?

[@derekmann4317]

hardtail party I love riding because it’s like an mental escape. I feel completely free when I ride. Free from stressing of the world and it allows me to recenter myself. It’s help be a better husband and father to my children interestingly enough. I also enjoy the physical aspect and the riding community. For the most part many of the riders I’ve come into contact with are very nice maybe because the shared passion. Thanks for your great videos Steve. You have help me in more ways than one. Keep up the good work!

[@_CrankZilla]

Freedom.

[@MrAllinclubs]

Nice , have you ridin the Dead Horse point Intrepid trail ? It's about a 9 mile loop. Do it Counterclockwise Great Pyramid to Big Chief to Crossroads to Prickly pear. Fun ride in Moab.

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, I've done it. Very scenic.

[@nebulous3234]

Many seem to recommend long-travel enduro or all-mountain bikes for Phoenix/Sedona/Moab type trails. Now I'm all confused about what my first MTB should be since rear suspension is apparently optional.

[@markthoeny1370]

Can you get those julbo glasses with prescription lenses.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm not sure. Good question.

[@mountainlessmtb9940]

Hard trails are fun but sometimes you need to just spin and take in some scenery

[@hardtailparty]

well said.

[@cnskate36]

was this from the Outerbike weekend? we had a great time at that event

[@hardtailparty]

No, it was from earlier in the summer. Outerbike is a fun time!

[@controller2152]

Mountain Biking is total Stress Relief for myself and yes, I plan on riding Moab w/ my Ripmo. My wife has a e-FAT bike and was wondering if the have any green ebike trails? Is Moab e-bike friendly? Thanks Steve Dave

[@hardtailparty]

Moab is not ebike friendly for bike trails. But you can take her ebike on any moto trail or 4x4 trail, and there are tons of those.

[@controller2152]

@@hardtailparty ...... Thanks Steve... That’s the plan, she needs to work on the basics and I can fat bike w/ her and then I can have fun on the Ripmo.🤘🤘🤘🤘🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️🚴🏼‍♂️

[@Nihilist13]

How much water/hydration do you carry? Per hour? Electrolytes and bars?

[@TheAseymer]

Do you suspect the top section of the Whole Enchilada will be rideable first week of November?

[@hardtailparty]

I wouldn't count on it. I'm riding it tomorrow, and that's the latest in the year I'd want to go. It currently has zero snow on it, but it's already frigid up there. Its below 40* up there every morning. November could still be clear of snow, or it could have several feet of snow. Poison spider bike shop is a good resource to know what's open at any given time.

[@JeffVonKiper]

You're rolling on 27.5+ I heard you say in the video. What pressures were you running while on Navajo Rocks?

[@hardtailparty]

Probably around 15 psi front and back. It was a few months ago so I dont really remember.

[@capamerica8453]

Thank you for mentioning the crypto-soil! It takes so long to recover from a single footprint.

[@JimmyRadloff]

Do you still have the Steel Middle Child or was that from last year's trip?

[@hardtailparty]

Yes, i still have it.

[@rakewawrz5200]

Man I wish I was there prioritizing with you I ride a stock giant Fantom 29er do you think I could handle that trail?

[@hardtailparty]

A giant fathom could definitely handle the trail. Depending on your fitness and bike control, you may it may not be able to handle it. It's an intermediate trail with expert sections every now and then. It might be best to try the trails at dead horse point state park first. If those are too easy, you're ready for Navajo rocks.

[@rakewawrz5200]

@@hardtailparty are there any Trails like that in the Flagstaff Payson and Prescott Sedona area and what type of tires are you using for that type of Trail have maxxis icons right now my basic ride is from the football stadium to around Arrowhead mall and farther through the 101 wash.

[@hardtailparty]

@@rakewawrz5200 Yes, there are trails like this in prescott and sedona. Is that where you live? We'll have to connect and do a ride together sometime. I use a 27.5x3.0 maxxis highroller 2 front tire and a 27.5x2.8 maxxis minion dhr2 rear tire. Icons are very fast and light tires, i'll bet you love them. Are you in Glendale? Phoenix has some amazing trails too. Are you in high school, or have you already graduated? If you're in jr high or high school, check out the NICA race program. I'll bet your school has an xc race team. Great way to get involved and get to know your local trails.

[@takje8067]

Which model of sunglasses do you have? The link no longer works.

[@hardtailparty]

@@takje8067 ive got a link to them in my latest video

[@takje8067]

Thank you. I then go to the website, but I can't find the glasses with the lens that colors with the sun.

[@hardtailparty]

@@takje8067 they're called reactiv lenses

[@takje8067]

@@hardtailparty I'm going to try to find them. Thanks for your comments.

[@takje8067]

I found it. I am very grateful. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@matticus6339]

What bike computer is that?

[@hardtailparty]

Wahoo elemnt

[@matticus6339]

@@hardtailparty Thank you Sir. Great video as normal. Love the vids you do and thanks for the time and effort in making them and sharing. Also, thanks for the vid on old school vs new riding style. Put those techniques into practice on my San Quentin 3 today and it made a WORLD of difference.