Tour Summary


Photo Gallery

Duration
5 Days / 6 Nights

Distance
370 miles

Elevation Gain
18,000 feet

2008 Dates
April 13-19
Oct 12-18

2008 Price
$1,825.00

Highlights
Arches NP
Canyonlands NP
La Sal Mountains
Needles Disctrict
Moab


Lodging
Best Western Canyonlands

Dining
Sunset Grill
Moab Brewery
Eddie McStiffs
Pasta Jay's
Zax


Start / Finish
Moab, UT

Airport Shuttle
Salt Lake city
Zion

Day 1 - Shuttle / Meet in Moab

We'll meet in Moab on Sunday and start riding Monday morning. Fly into Salt Lake City on Sunday where a shuttle will pick you up at noon. Or if you'd like to arrive early, there is a daily Salt Lake-to-Moab shuttle service. After checking into our hotel, the Best Western Canyonlands Inn, you'll have the chance to get settled, check out the town, and set up your bike. At an early evening orientation we'll provide an overview for the week, make introductions, and answer any questions you have.



Day 2 - Arches National Park

Zion

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

89 miles / 6,500'

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Day 3 - Canyonlands National Park

Zion

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 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

89 miles / 6,500'

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Day 4 - Colorado River Ride

Zion

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

89 miles / 6,500'

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Day 5 - La Sal Mountain Loop

Zion

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

89 miles / 6,500'

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Day 6 - Canyonlands - The Needles

Zion

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.

70 miles / 2,500 ft. elevation gain

89 miles / 6,500'

Day 7 - Return Shuttle to Salt Lake city


Today we say goodbye to our new cycling friends, and for those with flights, an early morning departure for salt Lake city..

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