Get The Skinny

Moab has some of the best road biking in the world. There are hundreds of miles of paved roads throughout the world-class scenery.

Like great music, a great road ride makes the heart beat, the legs pump, and the face smile. Here are the options.

Kane Creek Road is short but a great warm-up ride, ten miles out and back. It heads out of Moab’s southwest corner and runs along the south bank of the Colorado River under the steep and rugged cliffs of the Moab Rim. You get a remarkable view of the sheer red walls and rock formations across the river.

Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway 279 is mostly a flat out-and-back ride that takes you through a narrow canyon as you twist and turn along the banks of the Colorado River. You cycle right next to a sheer red wall where it’s common to see climbers rappelling or climbing Wall Street. This scenic route offers many opportunities to enjoy sights such as Native American petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and arches. The road hugs the north bank of the Colorado River. This gorgeous ride is 38 miles roundtrip from town.

The newly completed Moab Canyon Pathway creates a safer access to nearby Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse State Park. The path begins at the pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses the Colorado River on Utah Hwy 128, just north of Moab. The path continues past Arches National Park for another eight miles, crossing under US Hwy 191 to the beginning of Utah Hwy 313.

Arches National Park is an out-and-back ride. Total mileage from town is about 45 miles. The 18 miles of riding in Arches is mostly rolling terrain with three short climbs, about one mile each. It’s a steady workout in both directions. Explore The Windows Section and Delicate Arch Road for more mileage. Water available at the end of the road at Devils Garden campground.

Riding to Dead Horse Point via the Islands in the Sky in Canyonlands is another great option. From the intersection of US Hwy 191 and Utah Hwy 313 it’s about a 70-mile roundtrip ride to Grand View Point of Canyonlands and about 50 miles to the visitor center of Dead Horse Point. Carry plenty of water and some money to buy water at the visitor center. You must have the appropriate pass when riding in any of the parks.

For the ambitious and in-shape rider, La Sal Mountain Loop is a 62-mile ride with lots of variety and good climbing. The road is narrow with classic switchbacks, making it an epic ride. The favorite direction is south towards Ken’s Lake. This climbing is a bit stair-stepped and goes through a beautiful part of the La Sals. You are rewarded with a nice ride along the river back into town. This ride is remote so go prepared and go early!

If you are venturing south of Moab the ride through the Needles area is a nice spin with less road traffic than the other parks. This 44-mile roundtrip ride starts at the junction of Utah Hwy 191 and the road into the Needles area and Canyon Rims Recreation Area. The ride is an out and back to the inspiring Needles Overlook with the Lockhard Basin beneath you. The colorful sandstone spires of the Needles area are very unique. To shorten this ride, start at the campground six miles in.

Road Cycling Events

The popular Skinny Tire Festival, March 10-13, Moonshadows in Moab, May 5, and The Moab Century Ride, Sept. 21-23, are annual fundraisers to benefit cancer survivorship programs.
www.skinnytireevents.com.

The Gran Fondo Moab is an Italian-style, timed, road-bicycle event held May 12. The route is over the most spectacular mountain pass in the Manti-La Sals, widely known as Loop Road. It starts and finishes in the red rocks of Moab and climbs over 5,500ft in 60 miles. www.granfondomoab.com.