Photos: Simon Cudby
Riders: Stephen Clark, Chris Vestal
Moab, Utah, is never short on great dirt, technical trails, and scenery that makes you want to stop and pull out the camera. But add a little rain to the mix, and things get interesting in a hurry. We headed to the north end of Pritchard Canyon on KTM 450s, ready to explore some rugged terrain and see where the trail would take us. The weather was moving in, the skies were looking questionable, and the clock was ticking. Naturally, we decided to ride anyway. That’s usually how the best stories start.
Pritchard Canyon delivered the goods right away, with rocky sections, tight lines, and plenty of terrain to keep the KTM 450s busy. The moisture actually helped in several spots, giving the tires excellent traction on the dirt and making it easier to carry momentum through technical sections. The bikes felt right at home, with the kind of responsive power and nimble handling that make a 450 such a good tool for this type of riding. But Moab always has a way of keeping you honest. Just when you start feeling comfortable, the trail throws something different at you.
The rain turned the ride into a game of constantly changing conditions. Water pooled in the low spots, muddy sections appeared where the dirt had been dry, and the slick rocks demanded a little more respect than usual. Traction could go from excellent to nearly nonexistent in just a few bike lengths. Picking the right line and keeping a smooth throttle became more important than trying to muscle through everything. There were places to let the KTM 450s stretch their legs, but other sections called for patience, balance, and a careful look at what was waiting on the other side. Nothing ruins a good rhythm like discovering that rock you just rolled onto is a whole lot slipperier than it looks.
That’s the beauty of riding Moab on dirt bikes: the trail rarely gives you exactly what you expect, and that’s part of the appeal. The north end of Pritchard Canyon served up dramatic scenery, great traction where we needed it, slippery rocks where we didn’t, and enough mud and water to keep things interesting. The KTM 450s were the perfect partners for the day, ready to tackle the rough stuff while we worked around the weather. We might have preferred a little more sunshine, but perfect conditions don’t always make for the best rides. Sometimes, you just point the front wheel down the trail, trust your tires, and enjoy the chaos.
