- Overview «
- Tour Itinerary
Tour Summary
Two weeks have passed since Utah. It seems like yesterday and like an eternity. It was spectacular.
- Gary, Utah 2005
Duration
5 Days / 5 NightsDistance
370 milesElevation Gain
18,000 feet2012 Dates
May 13 -18Sept 23 -28
2012 Price
$2,125.00Single Room
$350.00Rider Limit
15 Rider LimitBike Rental
$245.00Highlights
Arches NPCanyonlands NP
La Sal Mountains
Needles Disctrict
Moab
Lodging
Best Western MoabDining
Sunset GrillMoab Brewery
Eddie McStiffs
Pasta Jay's
Zax
Start / Finish
Moab, UT
Day 1 - Shuttle / Meet in Moab
We'll meet in Moab on Sunday and start riding Monday morning. If you are flying into either Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, we suggest renting a car and driving to Moab. After checking into our hotel, you'll have the chance to get settled, check out the town, and set up your bike. At an early evening orientation we'll make introductions, provide an overview for the week, and hand out Route Slips.
Day 2 - Arches National Park
Prepare to be amazed. You've never seen anything like it. We'll ride from our homebase in Moab up into Arches National Park. This is truly an amazing ride through a wonderland of red sandstone arches, fins and spires. The road through the park is quiet and punctuated by breathtaking scenic viewpoints, and we'll visit them all, including the world-famous Delicate Arch (pictured above). At lunch we'll take a short hike to an arch and the "Fins Garden" before riding back out of the park to Moab.
55 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain
Day 3 - Canyonlands National Park
Today we ride up onto the plateau overlooking Canyonlands National Park. It's an incredible 100 mile view that stares down on the red rock hoodoos and spires of the park. We'll also stop at Deadhorse Point State Park for a view of the Colorado River far below. Once again this park has views you will recognize from Ride Calendars and photographs. The ride starts with a big climb and ends with a big descent! For those of you with sore legs, after the ride we'll hit the famous Moab Brewery for some muscle soothing suds before hitting the hot tub.
100 miles / 4,500 ft. elevation gain
Day 4 - Colorado River Ride
Today we'll meander along the Colorado River between towering sandstone cliffs bordering both sides of the road. The route is an out and back that takes us through Castle Valley, a backdrop for numerous films and photographs. It's not a big climbing day, but it does roll up and down following the Colorado river the entire ride.
64 miles / 2,000 ft. elevation gain
Day 5 - La Sal Mountain Loop
Today "is" a big climbing day. We leave the homebase and ride up into the La Sal Mountains that rise above Moab for an incredible view of the Canyonlands from 9,000 feet. Preprare for grades of up to 22%. Riders have been known to zig zag on this section! After cresting the summit you'll have a big descent back down to the Colorado river where you'll follow it back into Moab. Tonight we dine at the Sunset Grill. Situated on a cliff overlooking Moab, you'll enjoy wonderful canyon views of the setting sun to reward you for your effort.
81 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain
Day 6 - Canyonlands - The Needles
After yesterday's challenging climb, today we'll start with a downhill into the Canyonlands Needles District. Along the way we'll pass by ancient Anasazi indian rock paintings before entering into the amazing needle rock formations in the lower end of the park. Visitors usually skip this section of Canyonlands since it requires a short drive from town to get here, so we are likley to have the roads mostly to ourselves. You'll ride through a bonanza of scenic thrills for a perfect finale to your week of cycling in red rock country.
43-70 miles / 2,500 ft. elevation gain
