The Whole Enchilada Virgins

[Evolved]

I am looking for some insight on running TWE. Four friends and I keep talking about making the trek to Moab to run TWE. We have been talking about it since last summer and I am sick of talking and want to pull the trigger. I need to make sure we are good before we go. I am looking for recommendations from people who have ridden it before.

We are thinking a mid to late September weekend. In terms of skill level I would consider myself and two others better than intermediate riders and the others intermediate. We all have good full suspension bikes. I have heard plenty about the burro pass climb and this part worries me probably the most. I am a descent climber in my opinion, I can climb Sardine at Snowbasin with just a few stops and probably zero stops by the time we ride TWE. The others are not so keen on climbing, on guy hates climbing and is in it just for the downhill portion. None of us are too proud to walk our bikes on a trail. We are all mid 30's and know that our prime is likely past us.

Here is a list of random questions.
- Is our September goal a good time to ride it?
- Is our skill set good enough to ride this?
- I have heard 6-8 hours is average time. Is this true? This is where a few of our opinions differ, one friend wants to drive back to Layton after riding it. I would prefer to enjoy a Saturday night in Moab. Will we be gassed and not want to venture out that night?
- What and how many spare parts did you take? Is a tube and/or a plug kit per person and pump or CO2 sufficient?
- How much food should we plan to take?
- Would it be better to ride it on a Friday vs. Saturday? Or a better day during the week for that matter?
- We will be looking for a shuttle company to get us up there. Any recommendations on a company?

I am sure more questions will come up as we start to plan and get closer. I am really just looking to see if doing this is a waste with the people that are intermediate? I don't mind waiting to give the others a good time. I just don't want to be walking miles for doing it with the wrong people.

Thanks!

 

[UNSTUCK]

My interest was peaked with “virgins” but quickly died out when I found out the virgins were mid 30 year old guys.

 

[Evolved]

My interest was peaked with “virgins” but quickly died out when I found out the virgins were mid 30 year old guys.

So sorry to take you from midnight to 6. I mean, I’m slightly disappointed that my 37 year old dad bod doesn’t get you going. I should be honest and say “husky” Dad bod but I’m afraid this forum will body shame me.

 

[benjy]

I have heard plenty about the burro pass climb and this part worries me probably the most. No shame in walking burro pass, it is nasty. I was in decent climbing shape when I rode it, and I still walked most of it. I just wanted to save my energy for the rest of the ride. I think that's most people's mindset with walking burro pass also.

- Is our September goal a good time to ride it? Perfect time. I think they say end of September can be iffy, but I rode it last September, maybe the third weekend and it was perfect
- Is our skill set good enough to ride this? Absolutely, no question about it. It's all about conditioning, if you haven't been riding a decent amount you'll be tired at the end, but not a deal breaker
- I have heard 6-8 hours is average time. Is this true? This is where a few of our opinions differ, one friend wants to drive back to Layton after riding it. I would prefer to enjoy a Saturday night in Moab. Will we be gassed and not want to venture out that night? I was super tired, but we drove home to StG after we finished up. I don't remember how long it took, 6-8 hours sounds about right.
- What and how many spare parts did you take? Is a tube and/or a plug kit per person and pump or CO2 sufficient? I would consider that the minimum... I lost chainring bolts the last time I was out there and had to carry momentum the last few miles. Chainbraker, multitool, masterlink. Stuff will get rattled loose on that trail. I recommend checking your locktite on all your suspension bolts
- How much food should we plan to take? Definitely take snacks and a lunch, and lots of water. Pretty sure I ran out of my 100oz bladder. Should have taken a bottle in a cage too.
- Would it be better to ride it on a Friday vs. Saturday? Or a better day during the week for that matter? No opinion... Shuttle options are probably better during the week?
- We will be looking for a shuttle company to get us up there. Any recommendations on a company? We used the poison spider. It was fine. A lot of $, but no complaints.

I am really just looking to see if doing this is a waste with the people that are intermediate? Not a waste of time at all. They'll be beat at the end of the ride depending on conditioning, but it's totally doable.

 

[Samersen]

We did it one conference weekend in October a few years back. i agree with all the above by Benjy. We took 100 oz plus a few gatorades in the packs and we’re fine, I also through a breakfast burrito in my bag to eat plus gummies.

I don’t think we saw one person make the BP climb without stopping. The down hill was awesome. When we do it again I plan on riding sand flats road out from porcupine. I dislike porcupine.(i know i’m Nuts)

its hard but we’ll worth it

 

[The_Lobbster]

I rode it last labor day, and planning on it again this year, there was surprisingly hardly any traffic. Burro's pass was ROUGH going up lol. Take plenty of water. I drained my 3 liter camelback, and my extra 3 bottles before I even reached LPS. I'd say plan on 8 hours, if you're riding slow like I did. Took Porcupine Shuttle Company while there.

 

[UNSTUCK]

So sorry to take you from midnight to 6. I mean, I’m slightly disappointed that my 37 year old dad bod doesn’t get you going. I should be honest and say “husky” Dad bod but I’m afraid this forum will body shame me.

On my mission there was rumors of a guy that the missionaries had been working with was gay. I was the lucky guy that got to confirm it when he showed me a framed picture of him and his boyfriend kissing on the mouth. After showing me the picture he quickly said, "Oh don't worry Elder, I'm not attracted to you".
As we left his house I told my companion that I didn't know if I should be happy or disappointed. I was glad he wasn't into me, but at the same time, I did want people to find me attractive.

 

[glockman]

I've ridden TWE half a dozen times. We shoot for September or first week in October.

I use Kyle Mears and the Whole Enchilada shuttle every time. Kyle is a cool dude and a super awesome biker.

I've climbed Burrow with one small walk (50 yards) in the steepest/loosest section but lots of stops. I don't prefer that as it negatively affects the rest of my ride for the reason Benji pointed out.

You should be fine with that skill level, just take it slow at the top or you'll be drained at the end. It's common for the excitement (especially of 30 something guys) at the top to cause them to over exert and pay for it later in the ride.

It usually takes us 3-4 hours depending. I did it in just over 2 hours with my 17 year old kid once. We only stopped at Porcupine and only long enough to eat a cliff bar. Plus we started at Warner lake. Which is also a good option if the shuttles are running that route. It cuts the Burro climb but keeps most of the fun.

My groups have only ever had flats and one broken chain that was easily remedied with a bike tool and a spare master link I always carry. We have had several decent crashes (remember that over excitement?) that caused the participant to suffer for 3/4 of the ride, one with minimal front brake function.

I always eat a decent breakfast calorie wise and bring a full 3 litter camel back and two cliff bars. I do have plenty of fat reserves though.

Most of my rides have been drive down Saturday, ride Sunday morning and drive back to PG that evening. It makes for a long day and I'd recommend not doing that on your first go. The last few trips we have got to town early, ridden Ahab or something as a warm up on Saturday. Ride TWE Sunday and rest in town, leave the following morning. I like that much better. I'd definitely ride it any day beside Saturday. It's a train that time of year on Saturday.

I would check everything on your bike pre trip or have a shop do it. I credit my meticulous maintenance for my lack of trip ruining mechanical fails. My riding crew has the same attitude. If you bring broken stuff, you don't get a second invite. Too little trail time to waste it working on crap.

Have fun, it's an awesome ride. So much fun tech riding and unbeatable scenery.

One tip I learned too late. Learn to at least half manual before riding it. All those small rock drops are so much more fun when you can drop your but and lift the front wheel off them. Plus way less tiring.