Moab Rocks Special, Utah USA
Two week itinerary:
Day 1 - This is your traveling day
All you need to do is arrive at your hotel close to Denver International Airport. This will all be arranged and pre-booked by RTW and is included in the cost of the holiday. You could book your flight to arrive a few days earlier to visit other sights in Colorado or simply make the most of the complimentary hotel shuttle services and fly straight in.
Day 2 - Introduction and welcome meeting
After breakfast, your RTW host will welcome you and introduce your adventure to come. It's about 7 hours drive from Denver airport to the town of Moab. This means your first day will be spent traveling, however we make up for this by packing in more riding than is healthy over the remaining 11 days of your holiday. You will be staying in luxury hotels close to the trails and walking distance from the shops and restaurants. We will arrive at Moab in time for you to settle into your surroundings, build your bike and check out Moab's many attractions.
Day 3 - Klondike Bluffs
The first day's ride is almost the perfect introduction to mountain biking, Moab style. A good mix of smooth dirt road, broken rock trail, huge expanses of slickrock and some trickier rock ledge terrain take you to the edge of the Arches National Park and stunning views of the park and the Klondike Bluffs themselves. A great flowing descent takes you back to the start of the ride and you'll have a real sense of what is to come over the next two weeks.
Day 4 - Slickrock Trail
There is no better way to experience the essence of Moab then on the world famous Slickrock Trail. The petrified sand dunes provide a giant playground of unimaginable riding. You’ll be astounded by the levels of grip provided by the sandpaper like surface as you tackle gradients that would have you off and walking anywhere else on the planet. Up, down or traversing the experience of slickrock riding is thrilling, add to this the spectacular views and you’ve got an unforgettable ride.
Day 5 - Amasa Back
If Slickrock and the Porcupine Rim trails are the best rides then this is a classic which snaps at their heals. Riding from town, the climb sees obstacle after obstacle in your pursuit of more altitude. Despite the very technical nature of the terrain the sections flow together beautifully and if you're having a good day the feeling of cleaning the climb is fantastic. Stunning views, secret hidden singletrack and glorious sunshine await you at the top of your climb. The route back down is as demanding as the climb as the new Jackson Trail singletracks it's way down the cliff side through boulder gardens to the Colorado river below.
Day 6 - Porcupine Rim Lower Trail
This is the undisputed king of the trails in Moab. There is no way we could bring you here and not ride this trail. A highly technical climb gets you to the highest point on the very rim of Castle Valley made famous by the Marlboro cigarette adverts of the eighties. Huge mesa's and buttes rise from the valley floor, 1000ft. below you. You'll have great views of the La Sal Mountains, the Slickrock Trail plateau and the Colorado River Valley. The trail before you is almost 10 miles of thrilling and changeling downhill all the way back to the Colorado River. High speed rocky jeep trail sweeps through huge rock gardens, fly outs and drops which lead to Jackass Canyon where the trail turns to singletrack and becomes an intense, highly technical descent through scree, boulder fields and rock chutes. It's not a trail for the faint hearted but one of the most thrilling and rewarding experiences you can wish for in the saddle.
Day 7 - Free Day
After four days of fantastic riding you'll be ready to take a break and spend some time relaxing and there's lots to do! If you've already spent more than you should in the local bike shops, the various other shops offer a large selection of interesting local arts and crafts, the restaurants and cafes are open all day and have great gardens to chill out in, or if you're still feeling fit there are numerous outdoor adventures you could indulge in. From rock climbing to back country 4x4 treks, Moab has it all.
Day 8 - Sovereign Trail
This is one of Moab's newest trails but already it has taken on the legendary trail status among locals and visitors keen to experience it's challenging riding. Built with mountain bikers in mind the trail weaves it's way through valleys and ravines close to Arches National Park. The mix of fast flowing sections compliments the highly technical challenges which arise from the course. Climbing or descending this is a high paced bike handling skills course which has obstacles for riders of all abilities.
Day 9 - Fisher Mesa Trail
To give you a change from the dessert style terrain we head up into the foothills of the La Sal Mountains where the temperature gets cooler, the foliage gets greener and the views down into the valleys are amazing. The Fisher Mesa Trail has recently been upgraded and now features a furious singletrack blast along the edge of the Mesa in and out of the trees as we ride further out onto the peninsular. Roots, slickrock and boulders all add to the excitement of this great trail. Eventually, the singletrack spits you out onto the old Jeep trail where there are stunning views of Castle Valley, the Colorado River Valley away in the distance, Porcupine Rim and many other unique sandstone features. The fun continues as the very technical jeep trail leads you back up the peninsular taking in huge rock gardens and lung busting climbs.
Day 10 - Behind the Rocks Trail
This is another classic Moab ride. A short transfer from town takes you along the Moab Rim where the trail begins. This is the sight of the famous 24 hours of Moab Enduro and the trails are well suited to give you a thrilling ride all the way back to town.
Day 11 - Free day
Another chance to relax, make bike repairs, soak up Moab and perhaps participate in another local past time. Did I hear you say white water rafting?
Day 12 - The Whole Enchilada
The Lower Porcupine Rim trail is an awesome ride in it's own right but for many tour groups and local riders, this is as far as they'll take you. We have an extra treat for you, though. Over the last few years a new network of trails have been lovingly crafted which more then double the length of this ride. We transfer you into the foothills of the La Sal Mountains and from here, the new super challenging Upper Porcupine Rim Trail takes you singletracking down through the bush all the way to the highest point of the Lower Porcupine Trail. Combined, this is miles and miles of downhill all the way to the Colorado River. Woodland singletrack, scary fast 4x4 trail and super technical canyon singletrack provides the route past awesome views of Castle Valley and the meandering Colorado River, 1000ft. below your tyres. Downhilling for the whole day is a truly thrilling and intense way to experience the Utah Dessert and an unbeatable way to round off your holiday in Moab.
Day 13 - Transfer to Fruita and the Loma Trails
From Moab we venture to the up and coming mtb resort of Fruita. The size of the town belies the number of fantastic trails hidden round these parts and we are only too happy to show you a selection of all the best bits. Fruita is fast becoming THE place to ride. Ranked in IMBA's top ten locations in the world, the trails here are a good mix of fast smooth singletrack and rocky Moab style ledges and outcrops. Loma Trails
In the afternoon we'll take you to one of the famous riding spots in the area. Lying on the banks of the Colorado River, the Loma trails are a great contrast to the Road 18 area. Here you’ll find technical challenges with rock slabs, ledges, drops and steps all linked by smooth flowing hard pack singletrack. These trails cover many square miles and there is something here for everyone to enjoy.
Day 14 - Road 18 Trails and transfer to Denver
To cram a last bit of riding into your holiday we take you to the Road 18 trails. These fast flowing singletracks are a great place have some true off road fun whatever ability you may be. Carved out of the Book Cliffs by dedicated local riders these trails are a singletrack rider’s dream. Often referred to as a giant playground this area has grin inducing trails to send you home with great memories of the biking in this part of the world.
The transfer to Denver is around 5 hours from Fruita and you will arrive with time to pack your bike and prepare for your onward journey from Colorado, wherever that may take you.
Further details:
There is no obligation for riders to participate in the guided rides organised by RTW on any of the days. Moab is a lively town with lots of outdoor activities available such as rafting, rock climbing and 4x4 back country touring so there is plenty to do on the free days or if you want a break from riding. Each ride organised by RTW will be guided by RTW staff in as smaller groups as possible. All 14 nights accommodation will be arranged by RTW and are included in the price of your holiday.
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