I want to promote another great event. If you haven't done this ride, please consider it. It's well worth the trip. The website is skinnytirefestival.com. It's a LAF event. Moab is a super cool town. Also take your MTBike along. Lodging is very inexpensive. If you need a spring event, please consider this one. Here's the write up:

Cyclists know about Moab; they know it as the home of the Slickrock Trail, the Mecca of mountain bikers. What many don’t realize is Moab has some of the best road biking in the world. There are hundreds of miles of paved roads in and out of the world-class scenery that is known by every adventure seeker globally.

The Festival rides the best of the best: 1) Arches National Park, 2) Along the mighty Colorado River, 3) Dead Horse Point and back.

The Four rides of the Festival highlight Moab’s different riding opportunities. The first two days follow the mighty Colorado River corridor, both up-stream and downstream. The next two days leave the valley and climb the beautiful canyon roads into redrock country.

From the bike seat you embrace the landscape, feeling the contours as gravity tugs on your tires, challenging you to climb and daring you to descend. You’ll appreciate the grand scale of this place once you’ve ventured far from town under your own ‘skinny’ power down byways known only to a lucky few. Join the fun and adventurous group of riders through Canyon Country.

Channeling the energy riding through the grandeur of Moab’s canyon country is bound to inspire. For most riders, cycling is more than just a release; it can help define a deeper sense of purpose. To add to that purpose, the Skinny Tire Festival was created. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Each participant in the Festival contributes to the Foundation. Write a check, seek out sponsors and fight cancer