The Best of Moab and Fruita
Ride Highlights
- The spectacular riding and scenery of Moab, the most famous MTB destination on the planet
- Arches National Park
- The Whole Enchilada, a trail bound to blow your mind
- Slickrock, the most famous trail in the world
- Incredible desert scenery
- Local guides showing you the local goods
Moab. Just the mention of the word is liable to get most mountain bikers drooling. It's the mecca of mountain biking, the most famous two-wheel destination on the planet. And for good reason: spectacular, out-of-this-world scenery combined with epic trails.
Hot on Moab's heels for the title of top mountain bike destination in the U.S. is Fruita, Colorado. Lesser-known than its famous cousin to the west, Fruita is every bit as epic as Moab (some might argue even more so).
On this trip you'll experience the absolute best that these two destinations have to offer, with as much incredible riding as you can pack into 5 days.
note: this trip runs concurrently with our 11-day Southwest Singletrack trip and follows days 6 through 10 of the itinerary.
Is This Ride For You?
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"A perfect combination of stunning scenery, fantastic trails, and great company."
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"Being on a road trip with other bikers from different countries around the world was an amazing experience! The landscape and scenery were awe-inspiring."
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"I had a fantastic trip in Utah! Johanna, Mark, & Ryan were awesome – we did a ton of riding and had an amazing time!!!"
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"Another unforgettable, brilliant trip on some of the best trails - pushing my skills and riding with great people."
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"The trip was amazing and spectacular and has been my best biking vacation ever!"
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"The guides are totally amazing!"
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"Overall an excellent trip! The guides were great in adapting the choices to the group. The day was organized perfectly and with the right amount of "take it easy" and not too much hurry (this is good becasue these are vacation for me!) Lodging was great and the food too.
The guides were very good and friendly. They adapted the tour to the group. They helped us to improve our skills with tips and in case of some mechanical issues. These are awesome! I would like to go with Johanna and Ryan on some other trip (BC could be an option next year!)"
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"Hi Mike. I just finished the trip of a lifetime with a crack of dawn descent down Porcupine Rim, and a dropoff at Moab airport. Your staff and partners were beyond exemplary - after only 10 days, I consider them and my trip-mates close friends.I'm not a highly emotional guy, but as I watched the van pull away, I genuinely broke into tears. Thanks, and I can't wait for the next one."
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"This was an unforgettable trip. Many thanks to Joahnna and Mark for making it as enjoyable and memorable as possible!"
Day 1. Arrive Salt Lake City, transfer to Moab
Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, you can take one of several shuttles to Moab and check into your hotel. We'll meet you in the lobby at 7pm for the meet-and-greet dinner and talk about the incredible 4 days to come!
note: an alternative is to fly into Grand Junction, Colorado (but there are fewer flights and airlines servicing Grand Junction)
Day 2. Intrepid Trails, Slickrock, (Moab)
After breakfast, we'll hop in the van for a quick ride to the Intrepid Trail system for a warmup ride. This trail system features several singletrack loops and spectacular scenery, and makes for a great introduction to Moab riding.
In the afternoon, it's off to the most recognized trail in the world: Slickrock. Often because it is so well known people mistakenly think Slickrock is easier than it really is. This is a rock trail marked by white dots to guide your way, and it's not a beginner or even lower intermediate trail - it's a technical romp through spectacular scenery, and a ride that will stay with you forever. The views across the slick rock, especially in the early morning or late afternoon will take your breath away.
Day 3. The Whole Enchilada (Moab)
Linking up several Moab favourites, this trail spans almost 30 miles and has a cumulative descent of over 8,000 feet. The beauty of this ride is not just the sheer scale of it - but its diversity. Starting in high alpine forest at Burro Pass, the ride transitions to aspens, high desert and finishes off plummeting down to the Colorado River on exposed singletrack. It includes Porcupine Rim, one of the most incredible trails in the world.
The type of riding if vastly diverse as well: from slow, steep and technical rocky singletrack to wide open high speed sections and everything in between.
In the afternoon, we'll head over to Arches National Park to catch a spectacular sunset before a delicious dinner in Moab.
Day 4. Horsethief Bench, Steve's Loop, Moore's Fun (Fruita)
When talking about mountain biking, Fruita is now mentioned as often as Moab when people talk about the best places to ride in the United States (and some will say in the world). There's a bit of everything: breathtaking climbs, tight switchbacks, exhilarating downhills and technical challenges unmatched in most of North America. Today, we'll hop in the van for the 2-hour ride to Fruita, then ride several local epics in the Kokopelli area, including Horsethief Bench, Steve's Loop, and Moore Fun. Tonight we stay in Fruita.
Day 5. More Fruita and Moab fun
Our last day is a 'choose-your-own-adventure' day! We leave the last day open and survey the group for their thoughts about where to ride. We can stay in Fruita, return to Moab (or do a half day in each location), ride a big epic, loop several trails together, the sky's the limit and we'll take you where you want to go!
Tonight we stay in Moab and celebrate the end of an epic trip with a post-Ride party in Moab!
note: there are several shuttle companies serving Moab, offering flexibility for your return to Salt Lake City or Grand Junction.
Flights
The closest airport is in Salt Lake City (SLC). Frequent shuttles with private companies can take you the rest of the way to Moab (see below). A closer alternative to Salt Lake City is Grand Junction (GJT), also with frequent shuttles, although it is a smaller airport with fewer airlines and flight options.
Please note: we do not book flights for our clients. Please contact your local travel agent for information on booking flights for this trip or visit http://igougo.com
Getting to the Trip Starting Point
This trip starts and ends in Moab, Utah. Please see the schedule page for the exact trip start and end dates/times for your particular trip. Unless otherwise stated, you will be meeting your guides at our condos in Moab you will receive information regarding the address upon booking) at 7 pm on your trip start date, for the meet-and-greet dinner. If you can't meet us at 7pm on day 1, please let us know in advance and we will tell you where to go for breakfast the next day
Moab is a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City, and a 2-hour drive from Grand Junction. To get to Moab, take the one of the shuttles below.
Shuttle links:
Moab Luxury Coach (Moab, SLC, Grand Junction)
Roadrunner Shuttle (Moab, SLC, Grand Junction)
Utah Limousine (Moab)
Pre-Trip Accommodation
If you want to arrive early and spend a day or two in the Moab area, visit the Moab Lodging website.
Trip Cancellations
You may cancel your reservation with no penalty within 7 days of booking. After the first week, our cancellation policy is as follows:
-60 days notice or more: $250 cancellation fee per person, or $100 transfer fee if you transfer to another trip
-30-60 days notice: $500 cancellation fee per person, or $250 transfer fee if you transfer to another trip
-less than 30 days notice: the full trip price is forfeited.
Please note that our cancellation policy is strict, and we ask that you do not request an exception to our policy. For this reason we strongly urge you to purchase affordable trip cancellation insurance.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is compulsory for all our tours. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation protection so that you will be covered in the event that you are unable to attend our tour (due to injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstances) or in the unlikely event that our tour must be cancelled.
You can purchase discounted comprehensive insurance via our site at our insurance page
What type of bike should you bring?
We recommend you bring a solid all-mountain bike with you on this trip, with at least 4-5" of travel, and no heavier than 30 pounds since there are several long climbs. A bike with at least 2 chainrings up front is mandatory, as is front suspension.
Spare Parts for your Bike
Although there are some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts and gear with you to avoid problems in case of breakdown or broken parts:
- rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
- extra set of front and rear brake pads
- extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old
- 4 tubes
- 4 extra spokes
- shock pump
- chain lube
- multipurpose tool for trailside repair (including chain break)
Bike Rentals
If you don't feel like hauling your bike to Utah, an alternative is renting a bike. You can arrange a rental through Poison Spider Bicycles in Moab - we will facilitate pickup and dropoff.
Travelling with your bike
If you've never traveled with your bike, don't worry - it's much easier than you think! If you don't have a case for your bike, we recommend one of two options:
1) if you think you may be travelling more than once with your bike, then we recommend purchasing a purpose-made bike bag. This will protect your bike from damages, and makes shlepping your bike around a little bit easier than with a rigid box or cardboard box. We sell beautiful handmade bags by PikaPackworks in the United States. For more information, visit our online store.
2) If you think this is the only trip you'll take with your bike for a while, then you can pick up a cardboard travel box for your bike at your local store. Some stores will also pack your bike up for you for a fee.
Assembling your bike when you arrive
We have bike stands and a full toolset available for assembling your bike once we arrive in Moab.
Packing List
- comfortable clothes for riding, such as biking jerseys and padded shorts. 2+ sets are ideal, 1 is a must.
- helmet
- bike gloves (2 sets is ideal)
- lightweight, weather-resistant outerwear for riding in inclement weather.
- warm clothing such as sweaters and fleece jackets and pants for nighttime.
- swimwear
- sunglasses/eye protection for sunny and/or muddy days.
- hydration system that can carry at least 2 litres (bottles and/or Camelbak)
- toiletries i.e. toothbrush, shampoo, soap
- towel
- camera
- sunscreen and insect repellent
Passports & Visas
All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. For more information, please contact your local U.S. embassy, or passport office.
Emergency Contact
If you need to contact us in an emergency, you can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:
Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955
If you feel that you need to contact us outside of office hours, our Utah office can be contacted at 1-800-860-6460.
If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Health Requirements
Vaccinations are not required for the United States, and the U.S. has an excellent healthcare systems. Should you experience illness or injury while in the United States, rest assured that you will receive the best care possible.
Fitness Requirements
You should have a moderately high level of fitness and be able to bike for up to four hours a day in order to fully enjoy the spectacular scenery and riding on this trip. This is one of our most challenging trips, and you need to be prepared.
We recommend you train in advance of this trip, in order to get the most out of this trip. We offer a pre-trip training program, designed by two of our most experienced instructors in Ontario - for more information, visit http://sacredrides.com/pre-trip-training
Safety & Security
To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.
Meals
On this trip, all breakfasts and lunches are included in the trip price. Dinners can be taken in local restaurants or you can use the kitchens at our lodges when available (from past experience, most groups decide together whether they will eat out or stay in on a particular night). You should budget $10 US per meal prepared in-kitchen, or $15-$20 per dinner in local restaurants (depending on the quality of restaurants you choose).
Other expenses
Aside from meals, there are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping, nightlife and Internet cafes. The easiest way to deal with spending money is to withdraw money from an ATM/bank machine, which are readily available.
Currency
The U.S. dollar (USD) is the currency of the U.S. For the latest currency exchange information use the Yahoo! Currency Exchange Calculator
Laundry
The condos and hotels on this trip have laundry service, and there are laundromats available in most of the towns where we are staying.
Internet
Moab and Fruita have internet cafés and the hotels and condos where we stay have wi-fi service.
Tipping
Gratuities of 10-20% are common in the United States. We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received excellent service and have had an enjoyable trip. A typical gratuity is $20-$100 per guide.
Useful Links
For additional information about traveling in Utah and Moab, visit:
Our Guarantee
We're so sure you'll have an amazing time on this trip that we're offering a satisfaction guarantee. View more information about our guarantee.
Driver.
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Lead Guide and Lead Instructor.
Johanna is our lead guide and coach for B.C, Utah, Mexico and Patagonia. After learning to ride on the North Shore of Vancouver and in Whistler in early 2000, she has been coaching since 2003 after racing elite DH and XC and guiding since 2007. Living in Fernie for the last 5 years, she's blessed with amazing local trails as well as traveling and riding all over North America. Johanna is Certified by CMIC, Endless Biking, NCCP, Yoga Alliance, Sports Nutrition, Advanced Wilderness First Aid, she also teaches yoga and surfing in Mexico and Patagonia as well as Essential Yoga Studio in Fernie. |
Lead Guide and Assistant Guide.
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Airport
What's Included
- 2 certified, experienced and friendly guides
- 5 nights accommodation in lodges and hotels
- all breakfasts and lunches
- all transportation during the trip
- all the mindblowing mountain biking you can handle
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