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Show ' VtSi'.ypij'. Page DA .r, oi ifi.'i V1 2002 Tour of Canyonlands k 1 1 I H? gDUfS Mountain bike racing holds a special place on public lands. d Most other vehicular, events are limited to touring to control environmental impacts; bicyclists are allowed to race. To keep that status, and to keep trails open for recreational use, its Important to tread lightly in our fragile, secluded desert. Some things, like stashing your used food wrappers in your lycra, should be obvious. However, many people have understandable trouble recognizing the fragility of the desert ecosystem. We often describe the desert as hardy or tough, when it is anything but. Impacts to the desert can last indefinitely. Tracks can easily last decades in our delicate soil. In a place where a tree be hundreds of old, years might nothing recovers quickly. Perhaps the most crucial link in our ecosystem is the soil. Biological soil crust, or cryptobiotic soil, is a living layer on top of the sand that dominates our landscape. Aside from holding water and preventing erosion, this soil is a nitrogen fixer it can draw nitrogen, an essential off-roa- 15-fo- ot CAmm A voi. fertilizer, from the air and distribute it into the soil. The soils ability to recover from impacts varies according to location and conditions, but it can take decades; in extreme cases it may not recover. Without this living layer, this area would look more like the Sahara. Tracks allow the sand underneath the soil to escape and bury surrounding soil. Since this layer grows like coral, with living organisms stacking on top of one another, it wont grow through the sand like a plant might. Instead, it will suffocate. Learn to identify the soil; it is black and bumpy. There 4s information about it around town, including an excellent kiosk in the Slickrock parking lot. Even if you dont figure out what it looks like, you can avoid it simply by staying on the trail. If you must stray from the trail, stay in washes (unless its raining) or on rock; biological soil crust doesnt form in these places. Above all, enjoy your ride while you respect other users and the environment. AT IT GETT half-marath- Luxury Townhome Condominiums, fully furnished, from $224,000. Your private retreat in Moab. We have preserved and transformed Moabs historic oasis ranch into a one of a kind resort. We renovated the historic structures, nurtured the majestic trees and built a flowing waterscape of ponds, pools and waterfalls. We have a spacious private park where you may relax between forays into the wild. Our new Condominiums have been handcrafted from solid, enduring materials for the more discerning Canyon Country enthusiast. We designed simple yet elegant dwellings which reflect the Western heritage of the site. Generous use of masonry is both quiet and energy efficient. Huge heirloom trestlewood beams have been recycled from the Great Salt Lake. High ceilings, spacious windows and French doors yield bright and airy interibalconies and patios open directly onto spacious ors. grounds. Carports cover two vehicles and are ten feet hih to accommodate bikes and boats, which may be stored in a locking shed. Full-wid- th The split-lev- el floor plan is exceedingly convenient. Each unit has two bedrooms, two and one-ha- lf baths, and sleeps 6 to 8 comfortably. The Great Room is fully equipped w ith creature comforts. Were confident youll find these to be the best designed Condos youve seen in Moab (or anywhere else!). The setting is incomparable. Youre located within a grassy, shady campus with flowing water and huge trees. The Slickrock Rim is out your back door. The River, Parks and Town are all very close. Wed love to show you around. For a site tour please call Laura Morgan Haren or McKay Edwards at 435-259-78- state-of-the-a- matm T i Your Personal Oasis JHB Tour of Canyonlands racers will be able to get instant photos from the races this season and were not talking Polaroid. Returning racers will recognize Tom OKeeffe and his yellow Action Shots van. OKeeffe spends his season shooting photos of visitors to the Jeep Safari, and hes doing every thing from the also at every bike event (as well as the Slickrock Trail and the Porcuamong other locations). pine Rim trail-tai- l, rt For more than two years, Action Shots has been using digital equipment to shoot photos of race participants. Racers will from the Actions Shots van in be able to see and order photos the Skyway parking lot, or theyll be able to order shots online. OKeeffe says the service is more convenient, especially for riders who leave town too quickly for traditional film processing. on-sit- e, ul Timcs-tndepcnde-nt Moab Springs Ranch O AT io u to supplement The ) I Moab Sprinp Ranch is located at 1266 North Highway 191. www.dubutah.com - |