Line choice, line choice! I’ve always been amazed out how well you can ride a trail blind and still see new lines. Great trip and vids. Thanks for sharing.
I love riding alone, but it's a real double edged sword, as you are indeed alone when flats and other mechanical issues arise, not to mention accidents. You're brave to not carry a pump along on that terrain. Beautiful scenery.
This ride was rather short. Worse comes to worse itd be a hike down. Itd be annoying, but not the end of the world. The other rides were rides that you'd be royally screwed if you didn't have a way to inflate your tire.
@@LiHao8377 way less than that :D. A good hiker can hike 5 miles in 2-3 hours. If it's downhill probably faster. My brother and I did a 20 mile hike in 10-12 hours in southern Utah slot canyon country through a creek with the trail overgrown with vegetation. It was a slog but doable. We didn't have to pack out bikes though, just 40 lbs packs.
It's a trail building work-of-art! Amazing that a trail with that much rock and flat areas can keep speed so well. thanks for posting another quality vid.
Phil I thought you might find it interesting that the large group you passed as you were getting toward the top of the climb is a bunch of us from the Lakes Region of NH on our last day of our Chasing Epic trip. The Earth Roamer you pointed out belongs to one of the guys in our group.
I wish the slickrock in Sand Flats had fresh blue lines back in Jan/Feb when I rode and recorded. The white lines were faded and/or just harder to follow. Still fun though!
I always carry a couple co2 cartridges and an adapter with me for this reason, super light and will easily fill a tire, and can sometimes even reseat a tubeless in a pinch
I've ridden Ahab twice and wanted to see what you did with @7:30, I saw the line out of the corner of my eye and stopped to look, but didn't have the nerve (or skills) to pull that off. And @13:45, I tried that section multiple times. Always went left and got myself in trouble. Your line was intimidating but that's definitely the way to do it!
I was like "Did he just went back for an easy line? Wut? What's wrong...", but soon after you explained. After that, many lines were left for the next time, quite sure your planning to go back soon. Amazing scenery, views and terrain. Thanks for again an awesome video
Great vid Phil! I have no idea how you handle all that Terrain on the Fly. If I were to go right half the s*** you right I would have been Air Evac-ed 12 times this year 🤣
I rode this trail many years ago on a Walmart Iron Horse bike. I endo-ed right after the cliff area and broke my derailer hanger. Luckily, it was a short walk from there.
So many alt lines on that trail. The first alt where you went up to the right, you can also 'skinny' to the left. The lower stuff is as hammered as I've ever seen it from the flooding they had.
Amazing trails. I've ridden many of them and wonder who created them? Be cool if Skills with Phil could find and interview these folks because that is a monumental task and how it was done, how long timewise, etc would be interesting.
Next time check out " Moab Rocks" Not the most difficult or near death experience.... but alot of fun and flow. You will definitely make your own lines on that one. Muy Bueno as always Phil!! 💪👍
I love Captain Ahab! You rode some lines I never even noticed. When you come back to ride, I would suggest Rock Stacker and Jackson's. They're in the same area, but have a some bigger features, with exposure similar to Portal.
As other's have said, add Jackson and Rockstacker to your trail list for next time. Challenging double blacks for mere mortals but a ton of fun for you I'm sure.
I have a buddy that has lived in Moab and worked for several outfitters since the 90s. The last time I was there I told him, "I can't believe out of all the times I've been here, I have never seen a rattlesnake". He told me, "That's because there aren't any". I was shocked and thought he was joking but he assured me that he was not. He said, "I know,, you'd think they'd be everywhere but in all the years I've lived here, I've never seen one. You might see some little snakes but they only grow to a few inches, that's it." I know someone will call BS. I'm not looking to get into an argument. That's what he told me.
@@SkillsWithPhilI think it probably has to do with the food supply because now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever seen any rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks or gophers there either. They can't burrow into the rock to nest and there really isn't much foliage for them to eat. Kinda you can't have one without the other.
Wasn't my favorite trail out there TBH. Feels like 90% climbing. The scenery was mind blowing and that alone is reason enough to go back but Ahab is a lot of techy climbing on top of more climbing. Kept waiting on that downhill.
hey Phil and comments I have a question to ask? What do you reckon the best bike brand would be for a teenager or young adult soughta and also huge fan absolutley love your vids keep going your such a talented rider and creator love your vids❤
How do you have the seatbelt wrapped for holding up your bike in the van? That's the kind of ingenuity I'd use all the time since I'm not super comfortable with mine hanging off the back on a rack with the amount of city I have to drive through to get to my riding spots.
Question, is low pressure tire not good to ride in that terrain on MTB? I would think low will give more grip but I’m not an expert. Opposite for off-roading.
Moab Miles hit a bit different as the kids say... Thanks to poor fitness, heat, elevation and a freak downpour meant Ahab was damn near an all-day adventure for me. 😆
I did! I found that I kept getting distracted and would look off to the side, so it made the video a bit nauseating. I'm pretty sure that was one of those moments.
My assegai in the front is a maxxterra while my back is a minion maxxgrip. I honestly prefer maxxterra because it works good enough and i don't have to change tires as frequently. I'd normally run both maxxterra but the only DH casing minions i could find had maxxgrip.
Hey phil, loved the video. I have a kenda tire in the rear for my bike and it keeps losing air but there isnt a puncture or anything and it cant be the cold because the front isnt losing any. Any suggestions?
Could be a puncture along the bead of the tire where it contacts the rim. These are virtually impossible to seal. Another option is a leaky valve, and if it's not that it could be a rip in your rim tape. Sometimes if a spoke is out if tension it can puncture the rim tape. Lastly, if you tire is worn, and perhaps the sidewall has rubbed against rocks, air could leak through the sidewalls.
@@SkillsWithPhil thank you. I dont do lots of rough riding because of the area i live. Ill check it out tomorrow and do a thorough inspection. Be safe and yeah keep up the good content!
Wow, good eye. I totally missed it. So sad :( Thanks for the reply, Phil. Oh man, only 30 years old and from Colorado. Young and lived at altitude, yet it appears it was a heart issue (he complained of chest pain before his crash and demise). Moab is serious, man! So many fatalities have occurred there, among every recreation group. Go prepared - don't ride without the vitals LIKE A PUMP!!!! Get in shape, know your equipment and skill level. I recently watched a video of a guy who brought a friend or family member out for "his first mountain bike ride ever." Not really a good idea. Sure, there are dirt roads you can ride, but this guy took him out to the single track (not super technical, but still). Approach with caution, care, fitness and common sense!
In my 25 years of mtn biking, I've ridden in Moab half a dozen times. Each time I tell myself "maybe I'm missing something. better try it again" and each time I end up thinking this isn't for me. I'm a high alpine guy for life. That completely useless comment aside, what I have learned is that I enjoy watching Moab videos more than high apline videos. Go figure.
It isn't for everyone. I went every year in the 90's and couldn't shut up about it. Convinced two friends to go and they were totally not impressed with it. They, too, prefer alpine riding with swooping single track and that sort of thing. The desert didn't captivate them like it did me. Me? I like it all! Well, except fire road. Friends don't let friends ride fire road!!! (Wow, washboard, what fun! Said no one, ever!)
I just use my apple watch and select outdoor cycling workout. It does use gos and will give you a map of your ride but not as detailed as Strava or Garmin but for me it's good enough.
Hi Phil, i heard you say you're good with the full face as long as you remove the cheek pads? Why is that? I'm having such issues, lately they give me a really bad rash on my face. Lasts a week. Don't know what it is, the sweat, the soap, what's your opinion?
I remove the cheek pads on the climbs and then put them back in for the descents. It's for better ventilation and do they don't get to sweaty while climbing. But yeah, it's worth pulling them out and washing them from time to time if you aren't. I know i get rashes from my helmet buckles
5 seconds in and I can confirm it's a certified Phil classic
Thanks man!
100% agree
its amazing how well this terrain fits your riding style. Even in the woods you find lines like nobody else, but out here you are on an other level!
Watching you shred on trails pretty much blind is amazing! Always a good day to watch you ride!
Phil, thanks for taking me along. I appreciate mother nature from your perspective but at my age thats all I can do.
That line at 10:45 was bonkers dude, straight up skills.
Lines like that make me with Phil had a filmer with him. All his lines must look insane cool if you were standing along the trail when he went by!
Totally agree, that was wild!
Line choice, line choice! I’ve always been amazed out how well you can ride a trail blind and still see new lines. Great trip and vids. Thanks for sharing.
I love riding alone, but it's a real double edged sword, as you are indeed alone when flats and other mechanical issues arise, not to mention accidents. You're brave to not carry a pump along on that terrain. Beautiful scenery.
This ride was rather short. Worse comes to worse itd be a hike down. Itd be annoying, but not the end of the world. The other rides were rides that you'd be royally screwed if you didn't have a way to inflate your tire.
I ride alone 99.9% and not carry anything with me beside water. I am a very good hiker....no issues to hike 8miles with bike..
@Javier Olivares A very good hiker can hike 5 miles in 10-14hours
@@LiHao8377 way less than that :D. A good hiker can hike 5 miles in 2-3 hours. If it's downhill probably faster. My brother and I did a 20 mile hike in 10-12 hours in southern Utah slot canyon country through a creek with the trail overgrown with vegetation. It was a slog but doable. We didn't have to pack out bikes though, just 40 lbs packs.
It's a trail building work-of-art! Amazing that a trail with that much rock and flat areas can keep speed so well. thanks for posting another quality vid.
Another great video, Phil! I was part of the group you rode by at the beginning of Ahab! All from New Hampshire!
Loads of fun to watch...good idea playing it safe on the rear tire...thanks for sharing your Moab trip!
I didn’t see all those cool option lines when I was there. But then again, I was suffering badly. Nice ride!
One of my absolute favorite trails! Wish I was there right now.
Phil I thought you might find it interesting that the large group you passed as you were getting toward the top of the climb is a bunch of us from the Lakes Region of NH on our last day of our Chasing Epic trip. The Earth Roamer you pointed out belongs to one of the guys in our group.
I wish the slickrock in Sand Flats had fresh blue lines back in Jan/Feb when I rode and recorded. The white lines were faded and/or just harder to follow. Still fun though!
I always carry a couple co2 cartridges and an adapter with me for this reason, super light and will easily fill a tire, and can sometimes even reseat a tubeless in a pinch
We rode Hard Money in September and loved it! Ore Chute looked intense!!
Oh man, so lovely!
Last time I rode this was last January. There was a lot of snow in some spots.
Definitely one of the best in the area!
I enjoy your commentary. I am also amused by the fact you use the seatbelt to keep your bike in place. I also think it’s ingenious.
lmao love the seatbelt setup for the bike at the end
I just picked up a Stumpjumper comp alloy Monday, hopefully it's not too cold after work so I can break it in
I've ridden Ahab twice and wanted to see what you did with @7:30, I saw the line out of the corner of my eye and stopped to look, but didn't have the nerve (or skills) to pull that off. And @13:45, I tried that section multiple times. Always went left and got myself in trouble. Your line was intimidating but that's definitely the way to do it!
I was like "Did he just went back for an easy line? Wut? What's wrong...", but soon after you explained. After that, many lines were left for the next time, quite sure your planning to go back soon. Amazing scenery, views and terrain. Thanks for again an awesome video
Yeah, hitting that would be a pretty dumb move with how low my tire was feeling, but I did considered it for a split second.
great vids, thanks so much!!! Moab is somewhere i was planning on going in the spring!!!
Hands down my favorite trail. Got to link Rockstacker and Jackson's next time! Great riding as always
Great vid Phil! I have no idea how you handle all that Terrain on the Fly. If I were to go right half the s*** you right I would have been Air Evac-ed 12 times this year 🤣
One of my favorites! It’s worth the pedal back up to the upper ahab junction after you’re done and come down Jackson instead of riding the road.
The solo mission was cool! Gotta be careful of line choice when you're on your own. fun watch!
I rode this trail many years ago on a Walmart Iron Horse bike. I endo-ed right after the cliff area and broke my derailer hanger. Luckily, it was a short walk from there.
Bummer you couldn't hit it full speed! Such a sick trail🤙
Riding out there looks so fun and different, great vid Phil!
Next time you're out this way I'll gladly be your supplies pack mule haha! Hope you all had a wonderful trip.
So many alt lines on that trail. The first alt where you went up to the right, you can also 'skinny' to the left. The lower stuff is as hammered as I've ever seen it from the flooding they had.
So many alt lines. I'd like to revisit this with some like minded folks and just session this stuff.
Good ride from Switzerland
My favorite thing about Phil is his minivan.
Amazing trails. I've ridden many of them and wonder who created them? Be cool if Skills with Phil could find and interview these folks because that is a monumental task and how it was done, how long timewise, etc would be interesting.
Thanks for these videos this place while cool not my type of riding like a climbing paradise
Next time check out " Moab Rocks" Not the most difficult or near death experience.... but alot of fun and flow.
You will definitely make your own lines on that one.
Muy Bueno as always Phil!! 💪👍
I’ve done this trail on my dh bike, was actually quite fun, didn’t take too long to climb to the top.
I love Captain Ahab! You rode some lines I never even noticed. When you come back to ride, I would suggest Rock Stacker and Jackson's. They're in the same area, but have a some bigger features, with exposure similar to Portal.
Yeah, a few people recommended that. Now that I've got my bearing oriented, I might do that my next time there.
That looks like a fantastic trail. It seemed like there was minimal exposure compared to other trails in Utah and Arizona.
This was by far one of your best vids 🐶
(10:52) **ca,ka,aca,cakk ckkkcaaakakak, CHUHNKC** -Phil: "smooth like butter"
What an animal and beast rider!
The scale of that drop that you set the rock down on has some serious GoPro effect going on. It is easily a 6 to 7 foot drop!
The video doesn't make it look impressive at all haha, but I'm used to that at this point. It was definitely a really cool feature nonetheless.
One of my all time favorite trails!
Yeah, got so flooded that we have to use the old entrance these days! ❤
As other's have said, add Jackson and Rockstacker to your trail list for next time. Challenging double blacks for mere mortals but a ton of fun for you I'm sure.
I have a buddy that has lived in Moab and worked for several outfitters since the 90s. The last time I was there I told him, "I can't believe out of all the times I've been here, I have never seen a rattlesnake". He told me, "That's because there aren't any". I was shocked and thought he was joking but he assured me that he was not. He said, "I know,, you'd think they'd be everywhere but in all the years I've lived here, I've never seen one. You might see some little snakes but they only grow to a few inches, that's it."
I know someone will call BS. I'm not looking to get into an argument. That's what he told me.
That's fascinating! If nothing else it means they are at least not as common as id expect. Thanks for sharing
@@SkillsWithPhilI think it probably has to do with the food supply because now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever seen any rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks or gophers there either. They can't burrow into the rock to nest and there really isn't much foliage for them to eat. Kinda you can't have one without the other.
Wasn't my favorite trail out there TBH. Feels like 90% climbing. The scenery was mind blowing and that alone is reason enough to go back but Ahab is a lot of techy climbing on top of more climbing. Kept waiting on that downhill.
Great video Phil:)..... Shared in our #pepratimtbroma group .....thank u so much:)
I am curious to know your thoughts on a 29er vs. your old evil bike. Great to see you out there! Fun video!
Looks so fun! The exposure in Mohab is insane!
Yeah, definitely a wild place out there!
I got arm pump just by watching Phil.😁
Phil’s got skills.
Sick! Gonna ride it after slickrock tomas. If my tire/rims/derailer make it. lol.
Love you phil
This guy is so beyond my skill level. The difference between the black diamonds and the doubles, worlds different
Looks fun ride!!! I crashed at 7:25
Terrifying rock drop. when you said smooth has butter, that was 9 foot drop very knurly.
One of my favorites! Nice lines. Do run inserts? Rear is a must for me.
Thanks man. Yes i do, tire inserts in both, and DD casing front and and DH in the back.
Great vid I think those Earthroamers start at 1 mil
Good rip !!
hey Phil and comments I have a question to ask? What do you reckon the best bike brand would be for a teenager or young adult soughta and also huge fan absolutley love your vids keep going your such a talented rider and creator love your vids❤
Riding this trail tomorrow, wish us luck fam.
You'll do great, just have fun :)
@@SkillsWithPhil Happy to report it went great! Incredible trail! Pushed my limits and left plenty of features for next time.
Moab is still and will forever be Moab. Rode all this stuff back in the '90s and it looks exactly like it did back then. #TimeCapsule
Yeah i never thought about that but it's definitely unique in that sense!
Phil: put it in fun mode.
Us: put it in Phil mode 😆
Can't believe how small that feature looked going down vs going up @7:36
That's one of the huge downsides of GoPro videos. 🫠
@@SkillsWithPhil gotta make more climbing vids 😂
He really does have the phil skills
How do you have the seatbelt wrapped for holding up your bike in the van? That's the kind of ingenuity I'd use all the time since I'm not super comfortable with mine hanging off the back on a rack with the amount of city I have to drive through to get to my riding spots.
Awesome epik video
Hey Phil! Will you be able to ride with Brian, Seth, or Alexander sometime soon?
Silent hubs are the best. I wish I could afford some!
Question, is low pressure tire not good to ride in that terrain on MTB? I would think low will give more grip but I’m not an expert. Opposite for off-roading.
Hey Phil, was wondering what flats you use. I remember you saying before, but forgot to bookmark them lol TIA
Chromag daggas!
Let’s goooo
Moab Miles hit a bit different as the kids say... Thanks to poor fitness, heat, elevation and a freak downpour meant Ahab was damn near an all-day adventure for me. 😆
Love the tech and skill!! Tell me though, did you make up this at 14:07 ? :P
I did! I found that I kept getting distracted and would look off to the side, so it made the video a bit nauseating. I'm pretty sure that was one of those moments.
@@SkillsWithPhil Great stuff man, I am glad you got out there and experienced it! Now you got me thinking about riding while I am stuck at work haha
You're a beast.
Does Phil look like Skylar in the old Heroes TV series?
Hey Phil, quick question, does you run your Assegai front in maxxterra or maxxgrip? Thanks!
My assegai in the front is a maxxterra while my back is a minion maxxgrip. I honestly prefer maxxterra because it works good enough and i don't have to change tires as frequently. I'd normally run both maxxterra but the only DH casing minions i could find had maxxgrip.
What bike are you riding in this? What is the best mountain bike around $800 range
You don't have to ride the road up. There's a really nice single track from the parking lot!
That trail was closed due to rain/flooding which happened a few days prior to my trip.
Hey phil, loved the video. I have a kenda tire in the rear for my bike and it keeps losing air but there isnt a puncture or anything and it cant be the cold because the front isnt losing any. Any suggestions?
Could be a puncture along the bead of the tire where it contacts the rim. These are virtually impossible to seal. Another option is a leaky valve, and if it's not that it could be a rip in your rim tape. Sometimes if a spoke is out if tension it can puncture the rim tape. Lastly, if you tire is worn, and perhaps the sidewall has rubbed against rocks, air could leak through the sidewalls.
@@SkillsWithPhil thank you. I dont do lots of rough riding because of the area i live. Ill check it out tomorrow and do a thorough inspection. Be safe and yeah keep up the good content!
You should do a riding kit check
What was that at 11:49 ? Memorial, or just something cool someone put there?
Memorial for a rider named Eric Dube who passed away on this trail
www.moabtimes.com/articles/colorado-man-dies-on-amassa-back-trail/
@@SkillsWithPhil Thanks Phil, that's some sad news. RIP.
Wow, good eye. I totally missed it. So sad :(
Thanks for the reply, Phil. Oh man, only 30 years old and from Colorado. Young and lived at altitude, yet it appears it was a heart issue (he complained of chest pain before his crash and demise).
Moab is serious, man! So many fatalities have occurred there, among every recreation group. Go prepared - don't ride without the vitals LIKE A PUMP!!!!
Get in shape, know your equipment and skill level.
I recently watched a video of a guy who brought a friend or family member out for "his first mountain bike ride ever." Not really a good idea. Sure, there are dirt roads you can ride, but this guy took him out to the single track (not super technical, but still).
Approach with caution, care, fitness and common sense!
In my 25 years of mtn biking, I've ridden in Moab half a dozen times. Each time I tell myself "maybe I'm missing something. better try it again" and each time I end up thinking this isn't for me. I'm a high alpine guy for life. That completely useless comment aside, what I have learned is that I enjoy watching Moab videos more than high apline videos. Go figure.
I'm with you. I live just an hour from Moab and rarely go. It just has too much chunk and not enough flow for my liking.
It isn't for everyone.
I went every year in the 90's and couldn't shut up about it.
Convinced two friends to go and they were totally not impressed with it. They, too, prefer alpine riding with swooping single track and that sort of thing. The desert didn't captivate them like it did me.
Me? I like it all! Well, except fire road.
Friends don't let friends ride fire road!!! (Wow, washboard, what fun! Said no one, ever!)
In fact I've rated this ride the worst in America. Dakota ridge and portal equally bad
fr phil is cool like me
i think i would die at least 20 times by he end of the trail
Is it doable with a 14 year old hardtail 29er?
Sure is. Just go at your own pace and you will be fine. Most of the moves are pretty slow speed
Hey Phil how much money do you make a year mountain biking?
Are you from montana? Because you should do a video there! I need places to ride!
Nah, that's just a rental car. I have ridden in misoula a few years back but that was it.
Day 7 of asking Skills with Phil what bars he uses
What kind of fitness tracker do you use? Does it have GPS mapping?
I just use my apple watch and select outdoor cycling workout. It does use gos and will give you a map of your ride but not as detailed as Strava or Garmin but for me it's good enough.
What watch do you use
How long are you going to be in moab for?
Hi. What was the temperature? Low humidity?
Not sure what the humidity was but It was definitely low especially compared to the east coast
So many "flow killers"on that trail........
I feel like I'm dieing every time I ride in Moab. I feel a little better to know it is "strenuous" to even shredders like your self.
Hi Phil, i heard you say you're good with the full face as long as you remove the cheek pads? Why is that? I'm having such issues, lately they give me a really bad rash on my face. Lasts a week. Don't know what it is, the sweat, the soap, what's your opinion?
I remove the cheek pads on the climbs and then put them back in for the descents. It's for better ventilation and do they don't get to sweaty while climbing. But yeah, it's worth pulling them out and washing them from time to time if you aren't. I know i get rashes from my helmet buckles
Do you not ride tubeless at all? What a brutal trail!
I do ride tubeless, but i lost a decent bit of air pressure at the start of the descent
@@SkillsWithPhil I figured you probably did! I know some guys like Jordan boost rides tubes… would be surprised if you didn’t
@11:49 on the right, what the heck is that
11:50 on the right… what was that in the rock?
It was a memorial for a rider who has passed away.