CYCLING TOURS AND HOLIDAYS | UTAH NATIONAL PARKSIncluding the 2-day Moab Century Tour Event13 to 24 September 2024 (12 Days / 11 Nights)Our Utah cycling tour has been specifically designed around the amazing National Parks that Utah has to offer. The highlight being a 2-day cycling event that showcases the very best cycling in the State. Let’s say the country!! The Moab Century tour offers up to 160km on the Saturday and 100km on the Sunday. Yes, there are shorter distances to choose from. We’ll join others from around the world for this fantastic sportive which incorporates two amazing National Parks - The Arches and the Canyonlands National Park. Add to that the chance of cycling all 200km of the Scenic Byway 12 which includes the iconic Bryce Canyon National Park, and this trip is certainly one not to miss. We welcome non-riders to join us (which we fondly refer to as Team Macchiato). This part of the world is famous for its walking (or hiking as they say in the States). The other option for Team Mac is for you to hire an e-bike and join us on the road for some of the cycling. |
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Overview and Key FeaturesCycling Tour of Utah - We start and finish in Salt Lake City |
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Our Utah Cycling Tour Details |
Tour Inclusions
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The Tour Price Excludes
The Tour Cost
Bike Hire
Payment for the Cycle Tour and Holiday
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Utah National Parks | Itinerary |
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Salt Lake City
Day 1, Friday 13 SeptemberWelcome to Salt Lake CityArrive in Salt Lake City (ideally in the morning) and be met by your guides. It’s only a short transfer through to our central city hotel. We'll have the hire bikes ready to go. For those bringing your own, we'll have guides on hand to help. This afternoon we head out for a short 20km ride to explore the sights of Salt Lake City. A city known for its excellent bike paths. This afternoon's ride is purely to turn the legs and make sure that everything (you and the bike) is behaving. The good news is that we know where the best coffee is. And it isn't Starbucks. Speaking of drink - tonight we eat at a local craft brewery. Up until recently the strongest beer you could buy in the State was 3.5%. That's changed - another good reason to visit Utah. We'll introduce the team over dinner and run through the plan for the next few days. Great to have you here. / Accommodation: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City
Ps, feel free to arrive one day early. (Especially if you are superstitious) We can arrange the extra accommodation and airport transfers. |
Day 2, Saturday 14 SeptemberNot so Little MountainIt's our first full day on the bike. Like all of our tours we will have options in place to fit everyone. The maximum being 100km and the shortest being 60km. Salt Lake City sits at 1300m above sea level so it's a good day to simply ride at your own pace. We will have support vehicles around us just in case you get puffed. Our target today is a little mountain called Little Mountain. It sits at over 2143m. Hmm, that's higher than Mont Ventoux. This part is well known for its birdlife. Keep an eye open for the American Bald Eagles. Any twitchers amongst us? Team Mac… there are plenty of options. One being a walking trail in the same vicinity that we're cycling. Or you can go all cultural on us as we head for the Natural History Museum. Or a combination of both. It's very early days however our goal for tonight is to find some American sport to watch. Live. It's baseball season. How cool would that be… To be confirmed. / Accommodation: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City
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Day 3, Sunday 15 SeptemberHas anyone seen Brian?Thanks, SLC. See you in a few days. We leave our bike bags and any unwanted luggage at our hotel. It’s time to leave the city. After breakfast, we head south on the interstate 15 which runs all the way to the Mexico border. Fortunately, we're not going as far as that. The plan is simple – let’s get the long drive out of the way early so it frees up some time for a short bike ride this afternoon. There is a heap of ski fields to target as well as Dixie National Forest. Let’s not overdo it as the next few days offer really good mileage. Tonight, we’re staying at (10000 ft above sea level) Brian Head. Utah’s premier ski resort. Also, home to the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs. A must see so we’ll probably factor that into our bike ride. Also – keep an eye open for big things. You are now in Dinosaur country. There’s a very famous footprint which you can clearly see at Parowan Gap. Get a good night's sleep as the next few days will see you ride across the State of Utah. / Accommodation: Cedar Breaks Lodge, Brian Head
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Day 4, Monday 16 SeptemberRed Canyon to Bryce CanyonWe plan to depart early to make the most of the cool temperatures. September temperatures aren’t nearly as hot as say the Tour Down Under or the Tour de France. But they’re still warm. We expect nights to be about 10 degrees and highs in the late 20’s during the day. There is a very, very, very slim chance of any rain. Hotel to hotel ride days are the best!! All you need to do is pedal from A to B. We’ll take care of all the rest. Your job – eat, drink, ride, sleep!! That’s all we need from you today. (Actually, everyday) Team Mac head out for a hike on Thunder Mountain. You will be as fit as the cyclists by tour end. The distance for the riders is exactly 110km with about 1000m of climbing. Please please – we aren’t in a rush. Take time to smell the flowers, take photos – there’s a lot to see. It’s wise to keep in mind that you are riding at a constant 2000m above sea level. Our advice to take it easy for a day or 2. You’ll be flying by the big day on Saturday. Lunch is in the town of Panguitch. That’s the start of the Scenic Byway 12, beginning with the aptly named Red Canyon. Speaking of Canyons, our home for the next 2 nights is the most famous of them all. Bryce Canyon. Can’t wait. Free dinner tonight although the team will probably eat at the Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room. You are very welcome to join us. Giddy up. / Accommodation: Ruby’s Inn, Bryce
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Bryce Canyon National Park…plus moreLet's see Canyons, National Parks & the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
Day 5, Tuesday 17 SeptemberExploring Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon National Park (BCNP) has so much to offer and that's why we have two nights here. After breakfast, some may choose to explore by foot while others on the bike. Saying that, why not both? Today's ride out to Rainbow Point (part of BCNP) offers even more grandeur views of the massive Colorado Plateau and the artwork designed over millions of years by mother nature. This afternoon, you'd be wise to join team Mac in a stroll into the canyon itself on a 2-hour hike that gives a bird's eye appreciation of what erosion, temperature, and time have worked to create in this well-preserved land. The major feature, despite the name is not so much the canyons but the giant natural amphitheatres. For the night owls in the group, we encourage a short walk from the hotel to snatch a glimpse of the stars. Being a registered Night Sky sanctuary, take the opportunity to witness the impressive and vibrant Milky Way as Bryce Canyon is a region with almost zero light pollution. / Accommodation: Ruby’s Inn, Bryce
Ps, today’s distance is only 65km but does include 1200VM. There are also many ways we can extend. If you feel the need. |
Day 6, Wednesday 18 SeptemberPeekaboo!We ride hotel to hotel. It's only 82km so those who want more mileage will simply need to top up which is easily done. There is the option of riding before breakfast if you like. Early in the morning is the best time for wildlife spotting. Yes, there’s a chance you could even see Yogi. It’s estimated that there up to 3000 bears that live in the State. Don’t pat the bears!! Our ride includes seeing the amazing Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Its name doesn't really convey the beauty and size of this area of protected natural land area of southern Utah. We then spend the rest of the day riding in and out of farmland with the odd, amazing slot canyon (Google it) thrown in for good measure. Peekaboo and Spooky are two Canyon names so that's the area Team Mac will target. You guys can head off for some Peekaboo games and we'll catch up at dinner. Tonight, we're staying in Escalante. It's a cowboy town that quite simply hasn't changed since Butch Cassidy was in town. You'll see. / Accommodation: Canyon Country Lodge, Escalante
Ps, Team Mac… Flexibility is the key. Each day we will have a plan. However, if there’s something specific you want to do then we’ll accommodate. |
Day 7, Thursday 19 SeptemberWe ride to the clouds.OK, today will be testing. But that's what it's all about. We want to challenge you. And the timing is good. Give today some effort and you’ll still have 48 hours to recover. Boulder Mountain is the highest timbered plateau in North America with Bluebell Knoll sitting at 3,448 meters. Hotel to hotel is just under 110km and includes the Scenic Byway 12. Often described as being the greatest road trip in America. Unlike NZ and Australia – we ride on a smooth marble like surface. Let's just hope the wind is blowing in the right direction! In the small fine print….. there’s 2000m of actual climbing. At its highest point we’ll sit at just over 3000m altitude. That’s 400m higher than Col du Galibier. Easy peasy. Team Mac heads off for espresso & scones before visiting Anasazi State Park Museum; which features the ruins of an ancient Native American village. The plan is to then catch up with the cyclists as they may need our support today. / Accommodation: Red Sands Hotel, Torrey
Ps, we will also look to arrange massage tonight. |
Day 8, Friday 20 SeptemberCoffee ride - Capital Reef National ParkTomorrow is a big day. We see some of you taking the day off the bike. It's a good idea to rest those legs. For those who missed out yesterday – we’ll pre-book massage for this afternoon. If you do feel like a short ride, then we’ll target Capitol Reef National Park. Lunch is a pie and ice cream from the Gifford Homestead. They're compulsory. Perfect nutrition. This area was settled, developed by Mormons and you will start to see their influence. Our aim is to arrive in Moab early afternoon as you will need to collect your registrations etc. Make sure you visit the local brewery which weirdly doubles as a cycling clothes shop. Drink up, spend up. / Accommodation: Aarchway Inn, Moab
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It's Race Time with the Moab Century Tour RaceA fondo that incorporates two amazing USA National Parks - Enjoy! |
Day 9, Saturday 21 SeptemberMoab Century Tour Race - Day 1 - Dead Horse Point State ParkThe Moab Century Tour is a two-day cycling event that covers all of the amazing landscape Moab has to offer! From gaining elevation into the La Sal Mountains (including "The Big Nasty!"), to carving down through our red rock canyons, and finishing along the mighty Colorado River. Today's event name is the Dead Horse Point State Park. The main distance is 100km. Yes, there are shorter options on offer. We’ll go through this closer to the day. Enjoy the bike path all the way to Hwy 313 as you ride out of town and past Arches National Park. Once on Hwy 313, you begin the climb from the valley floor to the Mesa top above Moab, all the way to the incredible Dead Horse Point State Park for a spectacular overview at the Earth's edge viewing the Colorado River two thousand feet below. Enjoy the reward of the descent as you wind back down 313, the freshly paved bike path, and cross the mighty Colorado River. Total climbing is about 1500VM which isn’t too bad. It’s wise to ride within yourselves today as tomorrow is more difficult. For Team Mac, today will be a great time to head out to Dead Horse Point. There is also an option to walk with the Giants along the way. Ever wanted to know just how big a T-Rex was? The other option for our non-riders is to sign up as a volunteer for the event. (Which is limited to 300 cyclists) It’s a great way to meet people and a fantastic way to get involved. / Accommodation: Aarchway Inn, Moab (Official home of the actual event)
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Day 10, Sunday 22 SeptemberDay 2 – 100 miles. La Sal Mountain Loop RoadA route worthy of your cycling resume! Travelling from scenic valley of Moab into the aspen lined foliage of the La Sal Mountains, through red rock spires of Castle Valley and towering sandstone cliffs along the Colorado River, this route with it's beautiful vistas, will feed your soul. The La Sal Mountain Loop route offers an incredible collection of cycling pleasures. Foremost, it incorporates all of the iconic landscapes Moab has to offer. Towering red rock canyons flush with the meandering Colorado River, majestic La Sal Mountains, roadways arrowing through vast views of mystical desert. As if this were not enough, there is the challenge of a steep climb to ascend from the valley floor straight up into the mountains within a short 7-mile stretch, nicknamed ‘the Big Nasty’. Starting as a winding passage through Aspen groves along the mountain side, the roadway changes into a diving ribbon-cutting straight through the lower desert landscape. Here you enjoy the long-lasting joy of high speed with an effortless spin of the pedals. As the Colorado River grows near in sight, the anticipation of carving through the energized red rock canyons returns. Once in the canyon along the river, you are treated to an epic spin to the finish! Team Mac - There are actually quite a few non-cycling opportunities available in Moab. Closer to the time – we will talk you through these. For example, in 2020 we had a photography tour booked. We also had a couple of horsey people – fancy a horse trek? (Live Horse, as opposed to Dead Horse) Tonight, we celebrate our achievements with our best 300 friends. What an amazing weekend. / Accommodation: Aarchway Inn, Moab (Official home of the actual event)
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Last 2 Days - We head back to Salt Lake CitySadly all good things must come to an end |
Day 11, Monday 23 SeptemberOlympic ParkThis morning we are up nice and early for a short recovery coffee ride. It's then a 4-hour drive back to where it all began – Salt Lake City. On the way is Utah Olympic Park. Home of the 2002 Winter Olympics and also our lunch spot for today. The park is open all year round as it serves as a training center for Olympic and development level athletes. This afternoon we will help pack down the bikes prior to our last dinner together. What an amazing trip we've had. All up, there's almost 950km on offer. You can choose to do as much or as little as you wish. Tonight, we’ve picked one of SLC’s finest restaurants. Cheers to you. / Accommodation: Double Tree Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City
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Day 12, Tuesday 24 SeptemberHome JamesThank you for joining us. Feel free to stay on. We can easily arrange extra accommodation. This morning we’ll offer airport transfers. We look forward to seeing you again on the next adventure. Thanks again. The team at RH. |
