One thing I like about BKXC is your knowledge of local history which you share on the trail. No surprise to see moto since "The Slickrock Trail was originally created by dirt bikers in 1969."
"Always good when you feel your heartbeat in your teeth." Another Brian classic. Love this trail. Nothing else like it in the world. Love all that climbing. Such a sticky surface. Only the strong shall survive.
I grew up in Utah when Slickrock was easily the most famous MTB trail in the world. Nothing against alpine single track, but for me Moab and Slickrock will always define mountain biking-freedom to choose your lines, stop and session various features, and enjoy the beauty of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
I was one of those dirt bike riders during the 70's on my new 1973 Yamaha 175 enduro. I saw 70's riders on Honda Tail 90's. It's fun on smaller and light dirt bikes that created many of the routes long before mountain bikes came along. I switched to a hardtail later, a Peugeot Canyon Express with clips, 1986. After the 80's I've done it on many brands of suspension mountain bikes. If you can do a forever track stand and power up long and slow it's a great day there!
I haven’t watched your Channel in a very long time. It was around the time when you, Seth, and Alex all went to Moab and rode and you dominated that one climb on Alex’s bike. But now that I’m here years later seeing you in Moab makes me realize how far you’ve come as a rider. You’ve become so much more skilled and you still got those climbs all day! Even the quality of the videos and sound have changed so much and the whole time is a history lesson with tire asmr. Amazing video!
"Dreaming the impossible dream and climbing the impossible climb." BKXC is Don Quixote, in the most positive sense. An Idealist. A Riding Romantic. Not tilting at windmills, but conquering climbs, vanquishing descents. And he always has a trusty Sancho Panza up front. Ride on Brian, ride on...
I rode here back in late 2017 on a rented SC Hightower. Such an amazing trail and so very different from what we have here in east TX. The grip there is amazing… and regarding the climbing, it’s the only place I’ve ever had to stand and grind up a hill in the biggest cog at max effort.
This made my hands sweaty. I rode this trail once and I can’t believe you say this is one of your favorites. Sure the trail is one of a kind and its a Moab classic. But I thought I was going to die out there. Dr. Seuss type landscape that felt eerie and farther away from any civilization than I was comfortable with 😹 Maybe if I had your strength and momentum, I wouldn’t have suffered so much… Great video!
Yes the trail was actually built by motorcycles. It's fun on MTB or motorcycle. The hills on a motorcycle have the same pucker factor but traction and falling over backwards isn't an issue. Given the choice I prefer the MTB just because it's such a quiet beautiful area.
I rode slick rock on an E-Bike last summer and let me tell you. The trail is already a blast. But having an E-Bike just makes it more enjoyable. Highly recommend doing that.
So many people rag on Slick Rock. Mainly because there are MANY better trails in the area, but if you've never ridden there Slick Rock is a MUST RIDE on your first trip. It's just such a classic trail.
I rode Slickrock on my Epic- no dropper, cleaned everything and really enjoyed the spot. It is different that what I imagined it to be. I believe you rode here with Seth and that video influenced my trip!
First ride on slickrock was in 2001 on a cannondale Raven. The seat is in your stomach on some of those steep descents and you can’t go nearly as fast. Way different experience on a modern bike. Just rode it last week and had a great time. Super fun, unique, challenging trail if you are an all around competent trail rider up and down. It gets hate from the enduro bros that only spin up fire roads to bomb sustained descents.
Old geezer here. We rode slick rock way before droppers came on the seen. Very challenging trying to get back over your seat on steep drops. Rode it like that 8 years in a row. Much easier with dropper for sure. Great channel by the way.
I've ridden this trail 3 times, and each time it was a killer. That was a long time ago, when I was young and bulletproof, I probably wouldn't make it now. Good Times, loved it.
Rode it for the first time last Oct. Never experienced so much tire grip in my life. It made climbing everything almost sweat less, even with a nasty headwind. Descending was super deceiving. The ground looks like the tires will slip at any moment, yet they are glued to the ground. It was surreal. Personally, I wouldn't recommend people ride Slickrock first on their trip. Not unless they are very fit and are used to LOTS of climbing. For those who aren't, there's a good chance riding it will ruin your next couple of days recovering. Love Moab. Can't wait to go back
I use Moab as my Proof I was a climber. . . . and yeah slick rock has some verticals to climb!!! Going up the backside of gold bar rim, hopping the shelves. . . .
Road Slick 3 times - more fun on my eMTB ( I'm 73) my girl friend who doesn't ride but ❤️you videos. She yells at you everytime you get close to a cliff. Oh an she said the redemption rides made her heart beat fast.
Stumbled upon your vid. Moab looks like fun. When I was into MTB, Ibis as a company was just getting started. Good on them for still being around. I enjoyed your workout!
First trail I did in moab was slickrock and after completely failing I drove my rc jeep around and the next day I found a green trail to regain my confidence 🤣🤣 the bar-m trails are great for beginners but not so great for rc rock crawlers, slickrock had lots for rc rock crawlers, no rc crawling the trail
I rode slick rock and it was perfectly good for me. There are so many more new trails there in Moab now! We stayed one week and rode every day and still didn't do all the stuff, we wanted to do. I also love Fruita. More fun trail is a kick! You make the scary stuff look easier than it is! Great riding!
Moab is an amazing place and you are correct - it is highly recommended to be an advanced rider with climbing skills to ride there. That said it is still an awesome destination even if you don't mountain bike or are mid-level skills, just use common sense and stay off of trails and features that are above your level. You, Seth and Alex's videos got me inspired to travel there from South Florida a few years ago and it was fantastic, but it I feel lucky to have not crashed and gotten seriously hurt or died, as it was crazy steep coming from flat South Florida! Moab and BKXC rock!!!
Nice Brian! My last ride there at age 65 convinced me to learn flat pedals. Still prefer clipless, but next time I ride SR I’ll know I can easily bail out to avoid big tumble downhill.
I loved the trail -- fun and the views out there are so spectacular. But it kicked my ass. It's not really technical, but the climbs are damn steep. Heartbeat in your teeth, indeed. And I did it on a hard tail with no dropper post, so that added to the ... experience. No crashes, but it clearly wasn't the right tool for the job. Still glad I did it though.
You need to come to Colorado Springs....we have multiple rides over 20 miles with Amazing singletrack and massive elevation. Tons of ways to link so many amazing options. Just saying! My first MTB vacation (20 years ago, at 15) was to Moab as well, such a good time!!
Please make a video of a place that fits "If you know you are NOT a good climber, this place will make you think again." Been looking hard for that. For decades.
Did the Kokopelli Trail about 2 weeks ago, if you look up "brilliant" in the dictionary the primary definition is "mountain biking out in Moab". There's something like 16,000 feet of climbing they say, if you don't botch it and drop a wrong canyon in some delirious dream state, that is. I dunno how much vert it actually is but if you like climbing and descending in the desert canyon country and up into the mountains...it will not disappoint. Even solo unsupported with no cashes and some snow/mud issues, happy happy happy climbing. Git yer hike a bike on a bit if yer fully loaded, there are mandatory spots anyway. It's a f@cking magic route like everything else in the area, day in and day out, the whole silly way. It's hard to notice how hard you are actually grovelling when you can't stop looking around agape... it is Mars here on Earth. Happy trails all you burly Desert Rats! Slickrock is is a mandatory desert party, don't botch the life sequence and miss out on that kind of fun. Go man , go.
The climbs are something else out there but the descents are pretty easy. Still one of the best trails out there and its a classic, so it has to be done.
Pretty sure I broke my chain once on that first big climb you showed. That was fun. I was riding a Specialized Hard Rock. Try riding Slickrock on that and do a comparison video. 🙂
My girlfriend and I only did a few laps of the Slickrock Practice.. we only had a week before Returning to the Sea on the East Coast. That elevation difference is brutal
I’m also an east coast flat lander, I was there for 3 days and then did one lap of practice loop. I’ve never been so short of breath but I was having a ton of fun. I even managed to ride all of the sand pits but had to take breaks when I topped out a few of those punchy climbs.
If you are ever one I-75 going from north Georgia to Florida or other way there are two trails(with nice camp grounds) Indian Springs/Dauset trails which has 30 miles of trails 15 really good miles. And Arrowhead Park which had 8 miles of really fun and hill trails in Middle Georgia so hilly that it is Chainbusters hardest race they do even compared to their North Georgia races.
The first few times I rode this was on a 26"-er. But the most recent time was on a 29"-er. I found the climbing much more difficult with bigger wheels.
I actually didn’t feel like using my dropper seat post was called for on this trail as opposed to a lot of local trails in Colorado. I’d love any feedback on my short or long Slickrock video!
I was out their last year and I didn't ride that trail. I didn't trust my skills and was their as a solo rider. I should have looked for a group ride.... But I rode Island in the sky trails. Awesome stuff. and I got schooled in some skills.
Sadly, at 3:45, that used to be a more difficult off camber step, but "they" (whoever they are) decided to dumb it down a little and chopped off the step a bit.
![The 12 "Backwards" MTB Basics for Beginners [The RIGHT Way - 4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IfwwgTkrTU4/mqdefault.jpg)
One thing I like about BKXC is your knowledge of local history which you share on the trail. No surprise to see moto since "The Slickrock Trail was originally created by dirt bikers in 1969."
"Always good when you feel your heartbeat in your teeth." Another Brian classic. Love this trail. Nothing else like it in the world. Love all that climbing. Such a sticky surface. Only the strong shall survive.
I grew up in Utah when Slickrock was easily the most famous MTB trail in the world. Nothing against alpine single track, but for me Moab and Slickrock will always define mountain biking-freedom to choose your lines, stop and session various features, and enjoy the beauty of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Amen to that!! It has a very special place in my heart
I was one of those dirt bike riders during the 70's on my new 1973 Yamaha 175 enduro. I saw 70's riders on Honda Tail 90's. It's fun on smaller and light dirt bikes that created many of the routes long before mountain bikes came along. I switched to a hardtail later, a Peugeot Canyon Express with clips, 1986. After the 80's I've done it on many brands of suspension mountain bikes. If you can do a forever track stand and power up long and slow it's a great day there!
I haven’t watched your Channel in a very long time. It was around the time when you, Seth, and Alex all went to Moab and rode and you dominated that one climb on Alex’s bike. But now that I’m here years later seeing you in Moab makes me realize how far you’ve come as a rider. You’ve become so much more skilled and you still got those climbs all day! Even the quality of the videos and sound have changed so much and the whole time is a history lesson with tire asmr. Amazing video!
This is one of my favorite trails as well! Conquering those climbs is incredibly satisfying!
Trek 850 for me.
"Dreaming the impossible dream and climbing the impossible climb." BKXC is Don Quixote, in the most positive sense.
An Idealist. A Riding Romantic. Not tilting at windmills, but conquering climbs, vanquishing descents.
And he always has a trusty Sancho Panza up front. Ride on Brian, ride on...
I rode here back in late 2017 on a rented SC Hightower. Such an amazing trail and so very different from what we have here in east TX. The grip there is amazing… and regarding the climbing, it’s the only place I’ve ever had to stand and grind up a hill in the biggest cog at max effort.
I did it a few years ago, in moderate biking shape at best. Threw up three times. Didn't really enjoy it, but glad I did it.
This made my hands sweaty. I rode this trail once and I can’t believe you say this is one of your favorites. Sure the trail is one of a kind and its a Moab classic. But I thought I was going to die out there. Dr. Seuss type landscape that felt eerie and farther away from any civilization than I was comfortable with 😹 Maybe if I had your strength and momentum, I wouldn’t have suffered so much… Great video!
It looks amazing out there though. Alien almost
Yes the trail was actually built by motorcycles. It's fun on MTB or motorcycle. The hills on a motorcycle have the same pucker factor but traction and falling over backwards isn't an issue.
Given the choice I prefer the MTB just because it's such a quiet beautiful area.
Some fun climbs indeed. I loved the grip for the climbs and side hills. Also on a Ripmo.
My heart rate felt elevated just watching this… you’re a goat! I mean that in the nicest way 😂
In my country we would call Brian a cabron ;)
Idk what’s more impressive, how easy you make it look, or the fact that you’re still able to talk whilst riding. Truly incredible!
I rode slick rock on an E-Bike last summer and let me tell you. The trail is already a blast. But having an E-Bike just makes it more enjoyable. Highly recommend doing that.
So many people rag on Slick Rock. Mainly because there are MANY better trails in the area, but if you've never ridden there Slick Rock is a MUST RIDE on your first trip. It's just such a classic trail.
You saying “Going for it!” Literally reminded me of that time you said it at porcupine rim😂
I need a "going for it!" T shirt with a picture of Brian riding off a cliff
Now, that looks like some fun ridin'
I rode Slickrock on my Epic- no dropper, cleaned everything and really enjoyed the spot. It is different that what I imagined it to be. I believe you rode here with Seth and that video influenced my trip!
First ride on slickrock was in 2001 on a cannondale Raven. The seat is in your stomach on some of those steep descents and you can’t go nearly as fast. Way different experience on a modern bike. Just rode it last week and had a great time. Super fun, unique, challenging trail if you are an all around competent trail rider up and down. It gets hate from the enduro bros that only spin up fire roads to bomb sustained descents.
“Enduro bros that only spin up fire roads to bomb sustained descents”
I’m in this comment and I don’t like it ha
that wireless dropper/shifter combo makes the bike look so weird, but clean and beautiful.
Old geezer here. We rode slick rock way before droppers came on the seen. Very challenging trying to get back over your seat on steep drops. Rode it like that 8 years in a row. Much easier with dropper for sure. Great channel by the way.
I love the slickrock trails in Moab. I was Born and raised there and the mountain biking is amazing.
I've ridden this trail 3 times, and each time it was a killer. That was a long time ago, when I was young and bulletproof, I probably wouldn't make it now. Good Times, loved it.
Slickrock was my first Moab trail I ran when I was 10 (2000). I was on a full rigid bike haha, I can’t imagine doing that on a full rigid now
Rode it for the first time last Oct. Never experienced so much tire grip in my life. It made climbing everything almost sweat less, even with a nasty headwind. Descending was super deceiving. The ground looks like the tires will slip at any moment, yet they are glued to the ground. It was surreal. Personally, I wouldn't recommend people ride Slickrock first on their trip. Not unless they are very fit and are used to LOTS of climbing. For those who aren't, there's a good chance riding it will ruin your next couple of days recovering. Love Moab. Can't wait to go back
I use Moab as my Proof I was a climber. . . . and yeah slick rock has some verticals to climb!!! Going up the backside of gold bar rim, hopping the shelves. . . .
My first mountain bike vacation was Moab on a rad hardtail 😎
Road Slick 3 times - more fun on my eMTB ( I'm 73) my girl friend who doesn't ride but ❤️you videos.
She yells at you everytime you get close to a cliff.
Oh an she said the redemption rides made her heart beat fast.
Stumbled upon your vid. Moab looks like fun. When I was into MTB, Ibis as a company was just getting started. Good on them for still being around. I enjoyed your workout!
Oh how I would love to ride there once! I love the two-mics-setup!
First trail I did in moab was slickrock and after completely failing I drove my rc jeep around and the next day I found a green trail to regain my confidence 🤣🤣 the bar-m trails are great for beginners but not so great for rc rock crawlers, slickrock had lots for rc rock crawlers, no rc crawling the trail
I rode slick rock and it was perfectly good for me. There are so many more new trails there in Moab now! We stayed one week and rode every day and still didn't do all the stuff, we wanted to do. I also love Fruita. More fun trail is a kick! You make the scary stuff look easier than it is! Great riding!
Looks like a certified leg burner this trail is, would love to try it someday
Moab is an amazing place and you are correct - it is highly recommended to be an advanced rider with climbing skills to ride there. That said it is still an awesome destination even if you don't mountain bike or are mid-level skills, just use common sense and stay off of trails and features that are above your level. You, Seth and Alex's videos got me inspired to travel there from South Florida a few years ago and it was fantastic, but it I feel lucky to have not crashed and gotten seriously hurt or died, as it was crazy steep coming from flat South Florida! Moab and BKXC rock!!!
You leave me feeling optimistic! Miami to Moab, here I come!!!
That looks really cool! Wow nice trail!
Rode this last year while it was raining. such an amazing trail to ride.
Made me LOL when you said "Always good when you can feel your heart beat in your teeth"!
Hahaha, it happens from time to time!
That climb at 10:10 got me the 1st time I rode it, took me like 4 tries to get up and over that 1st hump, you made it look so easy. Kudos
That trail was begun in 1969 as a motorcycle trail, discovered by mountain bikers in the early 80s.
Nice Brian! My last ride there at age 65 convinced me to learn flat pedals. Still prefer clipless, but next time I ride SR I’ll know I can easily bail out to avoid big tumble downhill.
Many years ago I was camping there and met some guys from SLC.
We road slickrock, one guy riding a "HUFFY".
This place looks like so much fun!
I loved the trail -- fun and the views out there are so spectacular. But it kicked my ass. It's not really technical, but the climbs are damn steep. Heartbeat in your teeth, indeed. And I did it on a hard tail with no dropper post, so that added to the ... experience. No crashes, but it clearly wasn't the right tool for the job. Still glad I did it though.
Yeah, those climbs are serious business!
Up, Up, down, down! Haha I remember that cheat code
what an awesome place to ride a bike
You need to come to Colorado Springs....we have multiple rides over 20 miles with Amazing singletrack and massive elevation. Tons of ways to link so many amazing options. Just saying!
My first MTB vacation (20 years ago, at 15) was to Moab as well, such a good time!!
Slick rock is super fun. I live in Moab and work at moab cyclery washing bikes.
Please make a video of a place that fits "If you know you are NOT a good climber, this place will make you think again." Been looking hard for that. For decades.
My Dad rode motos on the Slickrock trail in the 70's long before mountain bikes were even thought up.
TO: BKXC Weird message says to txt you on telegram. don't know if it was real or not.
You got your van fixed up? To make the trip is seems. Glad your back on the road and making more videos of your adventures.
Fun. First did that trail in January 1987. There were only 6 people on the entire trail.
My bike was steel, rigid, 3×5 friction. shifting.
87 was my first as well. Full rigid Jamis Dakota. Granny gear on a 3x6 was about like 6th on an eagle setup.
tingling jubilies I love it!!
Love this classic. First time was late 80's on the rigid Trek 850, need to get out there again on the plush full. Great vid!
Did the Kokopelli Trail about 2 weeks ago, if you look up "brilliant" in the dictionary the primary definition is "mountain biking out in Moab". There's something like 16,000 feet of climbing they say, if you don't botch it and drop a wrong canyon in some delirious dream state, that is. I dunno how much vert it actually is but if you like climbing and descending in the desert canyon country and up into the mountains...it will not disappoint. Even solo unsupported with no cashes and some snow/mud issues, happy happy happy climbing. Git yer hike a bike on a bit if yer fully loaded, there are mandatory spots anyway. It's a f@cking magic route like everything else in the area, day in and day out, the whole silly way. It's hard to notice how hard you are actually grovelling when you can't stop looking around agape... it is Mars here on Earth. Happy trails all you burly Desert Rats! Slickrock is is a mandatory desert party, don't botch the life sequence and miss out on that kind of fun. Go man , go.
I am absolutely positive that I’m NOT a good climber. 😀 Continue to work at it though.
Love ur vids bro,ur always out riding some badass trails
cool track, I love watching you and your rides
This is so cool, i've always wanted to try mountain biking but dont know where to start
This is simply amazing
Love the line. How does it smell? Scarry! Ha funny. Need to get back to Moab!!!
Everyone talks about the GoPro effect on downhills but never the GoPro effect on climbs!!!
Yeah I rode Slickrock years ago and it kicked my butt.
I didn't have a dropper post, so I had to do the old stomach on the seat move.
The climbs are something else out there but the descents are pretty easy. Still one of the best trails out there and its a classic, so it has to be done.
Pretty sure I broke my chain once on that first big climb you showed. That was fun. I was riding a Specialized Hard Rock. Try riding Slickrock on that and do a comparison video. 🙂
Rode out there once when a storm came through. Was so windy, that standing up was tough. Though the slickrock still had good grip with tires 👍
SR looks like great ride for an e-bike.
My girlfriend and I only did a few laps of the Slickrock Practice.. we only had a week before Returning to the Sea on the East Coast. That elevation difference is brutal
I’m also an east coast flat lander, I was there for 3 days and then did one lap of practice loop. I’ve never been so short of breath but I was having a ton of fun. I even managed to ride all of the sand pits but had to take breaks when I topped out a few of those punchy climbs.
you were riding this with seth and singel track sample. was it like 5 years ago? old but gold. PAIN AND PRESSURE!!!
I do tough technical climbs on my entry level Hardtail I would love to try that on a high end FS.👍😎.
We did the practice loop and that was enough for us, then we went to run falcon flow and it was soooo good.
Falcon flow was ok but it certainly wasn't a flow trail. The climb near the end was pretty tough too.
@@mushieslushie I enjoyed every minute of it, climbs and all.
If you are ever one I-75 going from north Georgia to Florida or other way there are two trails(with nice camp grounds) Indian Springs/Dauset trails which has 30 miles of trails 15 really good miles. And Arrowhead Park which had 8 miles of really fun and hill trails in Middle Georgia so hilly that it is Chainbusters hardest race they do even compared to their North Georgia races.
Brilliant Post Brian!! More from Moab eh! Still reeling from watchin your last Video at Portal!
That was freakn amazing. Put it on the list no doubt. I might do some walking up here and there, but i gotta blast those downers. lol.
The first few times I rode this was on a 26"-er. But the most recent time was on a 29"-er. I found the climbing much more difficult with bigger wheels.
Just the game genie. Awesome
While you're in the area you should hit Grand Junction and ride the ribbon, and of course Free Lunch.
I actually didn’t feel like using my dropper seat post was called for on this trail as opposed to a lot of local trails in Colorado. I’d love any feedback on my short or long Slickrock video!
I was out their last year and I didn't ride that trail. I didn't trust my skills and was their as a solo rider. I should have looked for a group ride.... But I rode Island in the sky trails. Awesome stuff. and I got schooled in some skills.
What a wicked trail so different than anything in New zealand
Wicked thanks would love to do slickrock one day
I’ve only done “Practice loop” and I don’t think I’ve ever been so gassed on a short ride.
I can not count the times I have smashed that LIKE button since the beginning...
Great content as always
For a little trail history watch “50 years of slick rock” on CZcams. The trailer is around 4 minutes, full vid around 35 minutes.
and I quote "tingling the jubilies"
You should borrow a fat bike and come ride the Winnemucca Nevada NON petrified sand dunes after a rain or snow, amazing what you can climb!
Sadly, at 3:45, that used to be a more difficult off camber step, but "they" (whoever they are) decided to dumb it down a little and chopped off the step a bit.
Winner Thumbnails
I rode this trail twice. The first time I didn’t make all the climbs. The 2nd time I made all of them so I never have to ride it again!! 🤣
For my birthday I want to see you on the trial BKXC
❤
Being from Florida I would no be able to make it up 😂😂
Amazing
1
Yup whens the Gunnison trip bro?
RIP to the van
I rode the beginning of February and filmed my experience seeing only one other cyclist on the Slickrock!
That Game Genie comment😂
A hardtail would have been awsome