IN THE NEWS

VeloNews - March 2002

Multimedia

Book Review by Lennard Zinn

For a chance $13 purchase at a gas station, "Rider Mel's Mountain Bike Guide to Moab" has been a gold mine for me. While it omits a few of my favorite rides in mountain-biking's Mecca, the 25 well-described rides still constitute a treasure trove. Turns out Mel is Canadian, but he know Moab well and, more importantly, he has a user-friendly way of sharing his knowledge.

If you haven't ridden in Moab, chances are you've at least thought about it. But where do you start? Rider Mel's guide is the next best thing to having a local show you around. It stands out among other Moab guidebooks by being fun to read, clearly illustrated, and having as much detail as you need without being overloaded.

A brief foreward lets you in on what's in store out in the red sandstone desert with hilarious illustrations to drive home the points. Good illustrations also clarify the three ride-classification systems. One is a numeric 1-10 scale for the factors of technical difficulty, physical difficulty and "fear factor." The second is an Easy, Moderate or Tough designation. And the third is an icon system to further clarify what you will encounter. The "Giggle" icon identifies the ride as family friendly, the "Classic" accompanies rides any Moab devotee ought not miss, and "Moses" identifies the "what was I thinking?" rides.

A detailed one-page map accompanies each description, complete with illustrations and key landmarks. Ride descriptions are to the point and include numerical ratings, mileage, expected time, and the best time of year to ride it. The reference section of restaurants, hotesl, bike shops, campgrounds and other facilities and services is handy as well. The "Things that Rock/Things that Suck" page, or the "Wall of Pain" page displaying bloody injuries, are testament to Mel's sense of humor.

I got a kick out of reading Mel's guidebook. Furthermore, some of my daughter's teenage friends pored over it, even suggesting some rides themselves. A book that can get your kids and their friends fired up to get out on the trails - now that's worth 13 bucks!

Bike Mag

Bike Magazine - August 2002

FRESH PRODUCE

By Vernon Felton

Rider Mel's Mountain Bike Guide to Moab

HOW MUCH: $12.95

WHERE: www.moabtrailguide.com

WHY: A witty, interesting and useful guide to riding in Moab, Utah: includes directions to trails for riders of all skill levels, thoughtfully drawn maps, ride ratings and tips on riding safely in desert conditions.