St. George: December 13th, 14th, & 15th...

I was there last year at the same time period. Obviously weather can vary wildly but for us, it was sunny and in the high 20's every day at 8 am which is when we normally head out the door. Nobody is our group was motivated to ride in that cold so we started at about 9:30 and temps were up to about 50 by then. For 50 degree weather, I can dress totally "normal" with just a long sleeve jersey because I warm up fast....and then there's no need to carry any extra crapola.

 

Hence, my request

 

Good points, which remind me: if your ride begins with a long climb, and your hydration pack hose freezes by the time you get to the top, you’ll want a fresh set of DRY layers on to begin the downhill, so carry spares of at least headgear and tops, maybe also gloves and socks depending on your tolerance.

 

Yes, my preferred riding temp range is in 50s. For me, anything above 60 is "warm".

 

We were talking about that today at the beach ride... The longest sustained climb we could think of out there was Zen Trail, which is not long by Socal standards.

Most of the climbs out there are pretty short...

 

Guess you have not climbed or ridden Grafton Mesa. A great warm up climb and guaranteed to keep you warm on the way down. A must do!

 

Suck it up buttercup.

Days are short. Gooseberry and Guacamole are a little bit of a drive.

Like @DangerDirtyD said.....layers. However, even if it's really cold, the kind of riding we will be doing will keep you warm. There are no long drawn out fireroad climbs followed by 20 minute descents. It's all up and down....short and quick.

I have thermal knickers, thermal arm warmers, wool socks, cool weather gloves, thermal beanie. Add that to a windbreaker or vest and I'll likely overheat.

I've only ever needed my face/ears/neck covered on long DH's with temps below 30*

 

I also hear that Grafton is not legal.

 

Not so when we were there this year. April.

 

The proper verbiage is unsanctioned. I will be taking you all on Gander which flows between Gooseberry and Grafton, which the last I time I rode it, it was... "unsanctioned".

 

Cool....some new dirt.

 

The local page says there are no legal single tracks there at all- since 2011. The only legal trails are double track and old fire road. They then go on to give a detailed analysis of each single track trail.

 

I am very interested, assuming reasonable weather!

 

Wife's birthday on the 13th, she said I could go but I’m pretty sure that would make me a douche bag.

 

Don’t fall for that test!!!

 

Get a place for the two of you and come on out!

 

Can you send me the link to that sight?
Thanks

 

There’s a link near the top to go to the sanctioned stuff on the Mesa. This page is for the off menu single tracks, some of which look insane.

https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/graftonmesaST.htm

 

https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/graftonmesa.htm

The unsanctioned part is the single track from Grafton to Gooseberry. Scroll to the bottom and see the note. The fire road up and the Grafton Mesa DH is all good baby!
The unsanctioned part I believe is the trail Mikie takes to get to the fire road from Gooseberry.

 

Ah ha, asked her it it was my birthday would she hit the road and she said no! Were on 33 years, might as well keep it going.

 

Anybody thinking about bringing lights? Casa de Mtnbikej is literally a 5 minute pedal from Zen Trail...

 

Yes. I am bringing lights...

 

Oooooooooo......Bear Claw Poppy would make a fun night ride.

 

I am planning to order a set of GO Athletics Polar Series cold weather base layers (top and bottom, and possibly their balaclava). My existing base layers are light weight and only good for about 45 degrees max. I will bring them as well in case it's "warm" while we are there.

 

Generally speaking, the problem with cold weather (50-30) riding is not the riding. The issue is too much stopping and waiting.
If the group can stay together and maintain continuous riding there is no need for too many layers of cold-weather gear.

If it is below 30 degrees I'm heading to Brian Head.
If it is raining hard...... that's a different story.

 

I agree....the riding out there is more interval like than drawn out climbing descending.

Getting to the mesa is the problem if they get a lot of rain. Otherwise the trails on Gooseberry is fine even in the rain.

Trails around St George will be fine with a little bit of rain.

 

Somebody needs to stay back and count the beers!

 

Long way to go just to count the beers that you brought.

 

There are worse jobs to have!!!