“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” William Shakespeare

There are rare moments in life when we find ourselves in the company of a group of total strangers who are cut from the same cloth. Last week in Moab, a group of #obsessives gathered for an unforgettable weekend of extraordinary sandstone singletrack, meatballs, Mag 7, pumptracks and pinot noir, at the first-ever Kitsbow Slickrock Social. A kinship was forged in the red desert.

Many of the Kitsbow Ambassadors, hailing from different corners of the country, had never met before. Bear and Leg, the winners of the Slickrock Social, fit right in with the gang. At first we were strangers united by a common bond. By Saturday, we were family.

Here’s what our Ambassadors had to say about the Slickrock Social:

Mark Sevenoff:

Wow! is all I can say. Every Outerbike has been great, but the Kitsbow Ambassador ride helped take this one up another notch. Our contest winners were all-stars, on and off the trails, and I’m sure it’s not the last we’ll see of them. Meeting all the other Ambassadors was a treat and having Lani & Jordan here for extra support made it all run smoothly.

Best memory was definitely Bear & Leg finishing off the Wed. ride with their coasting race past Arches National Park. After 30+ miles they dusted us all and finished in style – and with smiles!

Nicholas Haig-Arack:

We came to the Kitsbow Social as colleagues, strangers, faces and names seen on a computer screen. After a few days in the saddle, sipping High West at sunset, noshing on fine food and marveling at the prismatic abundance of Moab, we ended the weekend as friends.

Jake Schuppe:

The fall Kitsbow Social led me into a number of firsts: first time seeing and riding in the La Sal mountains, first time riding from town to rally down the Porcupine Rim Trail, first time riding Mag 7, first time ever riding with such a large fast group of extremely awesome individuals! Our winners Bear and Leg impressed everyone immediately, not only with their contagious attitudes but also with their on-bike abilities. Our group had zero mechanical issues and zero crashes, something extremely rare for the impressive trails of Moab.

Heidi Rentz:

Still glowing from our incredible time ripping Moab trail and sharing a meal around the table with the Kitsbow family. Feeling blessed to be involved with such down to earth business amongst this cycling world… thank you for your friendship!!

Zander Ault:

It had been a while since I spent a full day on my bike with such an incredibly talented group of riders. Thank goodness for my lady friend, former Moab guide, Heidi Rentz, my lines were carefully chosen, keeping my two wheels on the ground (most of the time)!

On Wednesday, the Kitsbow family sat down to a meal that shared a story, rooted in the states of Colorado and Utah. 3 courses, seasonally specific, a menu that represented both the mountain lifestyle and connection to the land each one of these states hold true to their culture. Tired legs, sunglass tans and hungry bellies found comfort around that wooden table. This was a two wheeled experience never to be forgotten!

We’re grateful to all of our Ambassadors, as well as to Western Spirit, Ibis Cycles, and the Cyclist’s Menu, for making our first Kitsbow Social such a success. Huge thanks to all of the #obsessives who entered the contest for supporting us and sharing in our passion for the good stuff. Now we can’t wait ‘til the next Social!

The post I Left My Heart in Moab: The Slickrock Social appeared first on Kitsbow.