If you’re in the market for a mountain bike – or looking to get into the sport – you might want to check out the Poison Spider Spring Thaw happening from March 9-11 at the Moab Brands Trailhead, 9 miles north of Moab.
It’s an opportunity to try out new mountain bikes, learn skills, be shuttled to trailheads, and have fun riding and partying with other mountain bikers.
On Saturday, March 10, at the Bar M Trail, Spring Thaw participants will try out new bikes throughout the day, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. More than a dozen vendors will be on hand to demonstrate various bike-related products. A catered lunch will be provided at the trailhead.
Friday is an all-women event, where starting at 11 a.m. beginner, intermediate and advanced riders will learn mountain biking skills from female instructors. Participants will split up into groups with women of similarly matched skills and interest for either a skills lessons or a group ride led by certified mountain bike instructors and guides.
“It will be a good balance of skill development and riding, and a chance to dust off your bike for spring,” Moab Mountain Bike Instructors co-owner Sylvi Fae said. “It’s a nice way to get back into it, and brush up on techniques you haven’t used since last fall.”
Later that day, from 4 to 5 p.m., the company Shimano will offer a Ladies Tech Clinic, where instructors will teach how to fix flats and broken chains, and how to take wheels off and on.
If you prefer one-on-one learning, Moab Mountain Bike Instructors is offering a 20 percent discount off private lessons for anyone – male or female – who is signed up for the Spring Thaw weekend.
There will be a “meet and greet” for all Spring Thaw participants on Friday, March 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Atomic Lounge, 1393 N. U.S. Highway 191. If they haven’t already, people can register for the weekend event that evening.
Another Shimano Thaw Party will take place on March 10 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Gravel Pit Lanes, 1078 Mill Creek Drive. Event director Billy Snyder said they’ve rented the bowling alley for the private Poison Spider Thaw event, which will include free bowling, DJ music, hors d’oeuvres and a mechanical bull-riding contest. Proceeds from a silent auction that evening will benefit the Grand County High School mountain bike team, Snyder said.
“We want to raise as much money as possible for the high school team,” he said. “If you like to have a good time and ride bikes, come to the Thaw and support the high school team.”
Spring Thaw introduces the latest and greatest in new bikes, and gives participants the opportunity to talk to professionals about what exactly they’re looking for in a bike. The event always results in a few sales, Snyder said.
Poison Spider Bicycles will refund the $99 cost of attending the Spring Thaw event to use toward the purchase of a mountain bike purchased that weekend, he said. The event attracts riders from as far as Park City; Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley; Boulder, Colorado; and Telluride.
“People want the kind of bikes we’re demoing out there,” Snyder said.
Sunday kicks off with a biscuit and gravy breakfast at the Moab Brands Trailhead, followed by opportunities to try out new bikes on longer, more technical rides. Shuttles will be available to the Mag 7 Trailhead, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mountain bike demo event allows you to try before you buy
“It’s a nice way to get back into it, and brush up on techniques you haven’t used since last fall.”
When: Friday, March 9, through Sunday, March 11
Where: Moab Brands Trails
Cost: $99 for three days
Info: 800-635-1792, or www.moabthaw.com
For more information, call 800-635-1792, or go to: www.moabthaw.com.
