A look back at the last 10 years of Moab Rocks!
2024 marks the 10th edition of the Moab Rocks Stage Race. Where does the time go? Anyway, it’s been a wild ride so far and we can’t wait to see where this event goes from here! Here are a few of our favorite moments over the years:
Year 1 - 2013
The first year of the event was the only time we used the Hurrah Pass, Jackson Hole, Captain Ahab Stage. Although the stage was spectacular and remote, the cliff portage where riders were required to carry their bikes up a 150m vertical opening in the rock was less well received. Fortunately, folks loved the experience overall!
Year 2 - 2014
In year two we introduced Klondike Bluffs as the new stage 2. Although a little further from town than the other stages, this stage quickly became a favourite of many thanks to its fun and fast rolling trails! This year also gave an early indication of how popular the event would become with pro riders, as indicated by former Olympian Travis Brown taking top spot.
Year 3 - 2015
At the event grew, the evening socials at Swanny Park hit their stride. With beers from Moab Brewery for participants, it was a great way to celebrate each stage!
Year 4 - 2017
With a switch from fall to spring dates we took 2016 off from Moab Rocks - returning in 2017 for year 4. The new spring date brought fresh enthusiasm and more star riders like the 2017 winners - Olympian Geoff Kabush and cyclocross star Maghalie Rochette.
Year 5 - 2018
The momentum continued in 2018 with more pro riders showing up to battle it out at the front of the field than ever before. The men’s field included Geoff Kabush (overall winner), Payson McElveen, Evan Guthrie, Kris Sneddon. Sparky Moir Sears took top spot in the Women’s field.
Year 6 - 2019
The moment that everyone was talking about after the 2019 event was the freak snowstorm that struck Klondike Bluffs during stage 2. With big flakes falling heavily for around 15 minutes, the course was temporarily coated with the white stuff. Fortunately, the storm passed quicky and the sun was out by the time riders hit the finish line.
Year 7 - 2020
Well, we all know what happened here… Covid… enough said.
Year 7 - 2021
Covid was still an issue at the beginning of 2021, but thankfully life started to get back to normal by the fall and we were able to bring back Moab Rocks for an autumn edition. The rider field was a bit smaller due to certain travel restrictions. But all in all, the race went off without a hitch with beautiful weather and amazing trails.
Year 8 - 2022
Life was pretty much back to normal and so was Moab Rocks! The race resumed its regularly scheduled program in spring, with above seasonal conditions, and a sold-out field with top pros like Geoff Kabush, Katerina Nash, Peter Stetina, Emma Maaranen, Syd Shulz, Mack Franklin, Karen Jarchow, Stephan Davoust, and many, many others. Everything aligned for a spectacular 3 days of stage racing!
Year 9 - 2023
Well, what can we tell you about 2023… let’s just say Mother Nature wanted to keep us all on our toes and did a fine job doing it. In the week leading up to this year’s event our crew had to deal with pretty much everything you could imagine from warm to cold, sunshine to rain, and even a couple of snowstorms, including one the Friday night before the events start the next morning! We did have to “neutralize” stage 1 for riders’ safety, but people were still able to head out and ride it on their own, and stages 2 and 3 were scheduled as planned. With all the smiles at the finish line (actually, these were at every stage) you could easily tell that Moab Rocks was still the best early season stage race around!
Year 10 - 2024
Happy 10th Anniversary! We’re super stoked to bring Moab Rocks back for a 10th edition and we have a few minor changes in store… but don’t worry, they’re all going to be great and we're looking to forward to seeing all your smiling faces this April 6-8!
TransRockies Crew