Mountain bikers will help shift Moab’s active season into gear with Poison Spider Bicycles’ annual Thaw – a three-day mountain-biking event from Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2. Festivities include rides, clinics, parties and prizes.
“The Thaw is a really fun season opener,” Magpie Adventures owner Maggie Wilson said. “It’s a great time to nurture the whole spring is here vibe.”
Bike vendors such as Pivot, Niner, Yeti, Kona, and others will be stationed at Moab Brand Trails parking lot, located about eight miles north of Moab near the Bar-M Chuckwagon. Registered participants can demo vendor bikes throughout the weekend.
Participants can easily access nearly 30 miles of riding at the Brand trails and take advantage of the Porcupine Shuttle service that will be available throughout the event to take riders to the Magnificent 7 trails.
Mag 7, as it is more commonly known, comprises 26 miles of trails that begin near the start of the Gemini Bridges road on state Route 313, and ends across U.S. Highway 191 near the Bar M Chuckwagon.
In a nod to the ladies, organized events begin with a women-only skills clinic on Friday, Feb. 28, facilitated by professional women guides and instructors from local outfitters, Poison Spider sales manager Billy Snyder said.
“It’s girls helping girls become better bikers,” he said.
Wilson, who will be instructing during the clinic, said it will be an opportunity for women who are interested in mountain biking, but “feel too intimidated to get into it because their boyfriend is so hardcore.”
The clinic will be broken into three skill-level categories. Beginners can join a safe and comfortable climate in which to learn the most basic skills and understanding of mountain biking, adapted to the needs to the group.
“’Zero pressure’ is the point of the women’s clinic,” Snyder said.
Intermediate riders will participate in an organized group ride, learning new skills on the Mag 7 single track.
Advanced riders can hone their technical and adrenaline-pumping savvy in a clinic that will cover jumping and drop skills under the tutelage of Sylvie White and Wendy Palmer, both of Moab Mountain Bike Instruction.
Men and women of all ages are welcome to join the Saturday Legends Ride, a group ride with the bike vendors and some mountain biking hall-of-famers and ex-pro riders on the Mag 7 trails.
“It’s an opportunity to put the bikes through the paces with the people who created them,” Snyder said. “However, those wishing to know who the legends are will have to join the ride.”
Both Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1 will be capped by parties. Friday’s meet-and-greet at the Love Muffin Café is “so fun,” Synder said.
“If you participate in only one event, make it that party,” he said.
Saturday’s party might offer stiff competition, though, as Poison Spider has reserved the entire Gravel Pit Lanes bowling alley to hold the celebration. The night will be filled with fun and games and a lot of giveaways, including both a Niner and a Yeti bike frame, Snyder said.
Women participating in the clinic will meet Friday, Feb. 28 at noon at the Poison Spider shop at 497 N. Main St. All other rides, demo and shuttle services meet at the Brand Trails parking lot.
Thaw events and services are open only to registered participants. Registration costs $55 for all events and includes a t-shirt. Demo bikes are available beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28 through 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, when the event closes. More information can be found at Poison Spider’s Web site or by calling their shop at 259-7882
Three-day Thaw event kicks off season with rides, clinics and parties
Registration costs $55 for all events and includes a t-shirt. Demo bikes are available beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28 through 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, when the event closes. More information can be found at Poison Spider’s Web site or by calling their shop at 259-7882.
“Its an opportunity to put the bikes through the paces with the people who created them. However, those wishing to know who the legends are will have to join the ride.”
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