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Most of this section, while well-intentioned and perhaps useful to some riders, is not appropriate for Wikipedia, so I propose removing it. See WP:NOT which says Wikipedia articles should not include instructions or advice (legal, medical, or otherwise), suggestions, or contain "how-to"s. RosinDebow 20:49, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
NOTES ON RIDING THE SLICKROCK TRAIL: Persons wishing to ride the Slickrock Trail should be aware that no water is available at the trailhead, and that a minimal fee is required to enter the Sand Flats Recreation Area.
Riders using shoes and pedals with "clipless" cleats should be good at escaping the pedals because of numerous uphills that end with an un-rideable section. Clipless shoes designed with a recessed cleat are better than standard clipless shoes on this trail. Many sections of the Slickrock Trail have been marked by metal cleats (marks look like bashring or 3rd chainring marks) because of riders attempting to push their bikes up some of the "unridable" sections. Clipless shoes with non-recessed cleats will give riders a quick and painful education on how slickrock got its name.
There is a 1.9 miles (3.1 km) (one direction) "cherry stem" or "lolly pop stick" that leads to the beginning of the loop. The loop and "cherry stem" is clearly marked by white dashed lines. Follow the line to avoid getting lost (getting lost in this area has resulted in death) and be sure to not disturb any cryptobiotic soil.
At the junction with the loop there are two directions marked "easier" and "harder." The "harder" direction has steeper but shorter uphills, and more pleasant, faster downhills. Both directions have very steep uphills and will probably require one to dismount and push their bike. Since this is a loop/out-and-back the total elevation gain/loss is the same in either direction. The author has ridden the trail in both directions and found the "harder" direction to be easier overall.
Deaths on this trail and others in the area occur annually; it is important to note locations of drinking water, information pertaining difficulty, and notes about rider safety, as future riders of this trail will use this as a resource. Because this is a famous trail, it attracts novice riders from around the world who commonly are under-protected and ill-equipped. The tail has some long and potentially fatal exposures, and as someone who has ridden the trail, having incorrect equipment, such as shoes, could be life threating. I amended the notes to be encyclopedic.