MOAB MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
experts only!
Experts generally know who they are, with exceptions. If you yearn to jump off of stuff on a freeride bike, are under the age of 30, and don't have a real job, you are not an expert, you are a liability. Experts are mature, highly skilled, stay fit for the sport and are generally over the age of 30. True mountain bike experts train to ride, not race. If you train to race or simply like to "put your head down and ride," make a track around your yard, put your head down and ride. Don't come to Moab. Moab is a place, not a race. We are surrounded by a fragile ecosystem that requires respect and knowledge. Experts are smart enough, experienced enough and respectful enough to know to learn about something before they jump in. Experts know that "Ignorance is not an excuse to do something stupid." Experts study the art of cycling and take it seriously. If you are an expert rider in most areas, you should be looking in the ADVANCED section for rides appropriate to your skills and fitness. Rides below are a sample of epics suitable for experts at Moab technical terrain ONLY--those who want something very difficult to spice up a ride series. These are techncially challenging and extremely difficult physically for advanced riders. If you have a small group of pros or a hardcore club or group of friends looking for a guided and well-prepared training trip to Moab, then you have come to the right place. Hardcore riders will enjoy our MOAB ULTIMATE CYCLING VACATION or any vacation package with an ELITE VACATION SERVICES UPGRADE, and should check out some of the RIDE FROM TOWN OPTION.
Dreamride's best routes are top secret! If you are looking for extreme solitude, hardcore riding, pristine environment and rare wildlife viewing, this is what Dreamride specializes in. Trails listed here are traditional mountain biking areas listed in guidebooks and on maps that can be bought in town. Our favorite routes are not listed anywhere.
This listing is provided by Dreamride LLC of Moab to give an idea of difficulty. Rest assured that the very cream of the expert level day rides Dreamride offers are closely guarded secrets to maintain solitude and a sound environment. If you are looking for more information on mountain bike trails in the Moab area click on MOUNTAIN BIKE MOAB GUIDEBOOK. Be sure to visit the SAFETY GUIDE before coming to Moab. It contains valuable survival and environmental information that is required knowledge for all visitors to canyon country. For information on tour packages and other services offered by Dreamride in Uath, Hawaii, and Colorado, click on VACATION CATALOG or CONTACT DREAMRIDE.
Hells Revenge, Fins and Things, and Porcupine Rim Epic
Second to no other Moab ride, this loop supplies tons of technical fun, guts, and glory. This route contains the long climb to Porcupine Rim on series of connecting technical Jeep trails off of Sand Flats Road and presents fit and skilled riders with every sort of challenge imaginable.
Group maximum size: Open for private booking only. Group size is negotiable.
Surfaces: Rocks, slickrock, ledges, deep sand, loose rock, packed sediments, gravel, pavement on jeep roads and singletrack.
Distance: 35+ miles.
Attractions: Bedrock jackhammer workout. Spectacular scenery. Singletrack.
Top of the World
Group maximum size: 4 riders of expert skills.Surfaces: 4WD track, loose rock, hard pack, rocky ledges.
Distance: Irrelevant.
Attractions: Outrageous scenery. BRUTAL climb toward Killer Viewpoint. Get high on endorphines and otherwise.
A Top of the World epic ride is available by connecting the best sections of the Kokopelli Trail in this area via a shuttle from above the Yellow Jacket Canyon end. The ride ends at Onion Creek.
Gold Bar Rim Super Epic
Ride starts at the bottom on Long Canyon, heads up to Hwy 313, then out to Gemini Bridges, then down to Little Canyon, then up to the Gold Bar Rim, then down Poison Spider Mesa.
Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: 4WD track, ledges, slickrock, sand, loose rock, singletrack, pavement.
Distance: 35+ miles
Attractions: Climbing, climbing, climbing; scenery; Moab-style technical riding
at its best.
Lots of work. Lots of climbing. Lots of technical challenge along the way make this a really tough ride for anyone. If the ride gets to be too much, we can drop down the Portal Trail to eliminate the final challenge of the Poison Spider Mesa Trail. If you want even more distance, then instead of riding up Long Canyon, we ride up Shafer Rim. This makes the ride 20+ miles longer. Ugh!
Hey Joe Canyon Epic
Are you weird enough to crave 35 miles of deep sand with a 700' vertical portage thrown in just to break your spirit and maybe your neck? If so, you will be rewarded with a ride down rock switchbacks in a steep canyon wall to a place where you can take a swim then head out along the Green River 9 miles through deep sand to a mining area where you can explore an old mine shaft and get enough radiation to kill any germs you've got creeping around on your flesh. The Hey Joe Canyon Portage is like free climbing with a bike on your back and when you reach the top it's another twenty miles of deep sand. This ride can be rewarded with a very remote slickrock area, if you like, but if your don't like sand, don't do it. We like sand. What can we say? Sometimes it is the price you pay for spectacular scenery, a private swim, an awesome downhill, and incredible solitude.
Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: Sand, loose rock, bedrock, and slickrock if you want.
Distance: 35+ miles.
Attractions: Spectacular scenery. Mining garbage. Sand workout. Weird sites.
Behind the Rocks Epic
Our most popular gonzo tour. This is among the most challenging day rides you can complete on a mountainbike. You'll really feel like you have done something after this one.
Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: Everything imaginable; awesome slickrock, sand, loose rock, stepped
ledges, hardpack, bedrock, babyheads, etc.
Distance: 23+ miles (takes about 7 hours to complete, depending on slickrock
play options and speed)
Attractions: Lee Bridgers is the sole guide for this route. He says, "This is the best. Bet you five dollars."
Ask anyone who Lee has taken out there.
This is a very famous motocross and 4WD track, but we rarely see other mountainbike tracks on the lower section of the Behind the Rocks Trail that are not made by Dreamride' tour groups. Only the experienced, the brave, and the bonehead stupid ride this trail because of its confusing spurs and challenging sand and ledge surfaces, but if you are up to the task, ride with us and we will remove the "get lost, scary" factor and point you in the right direction. This is an extension of Behind the Rocks Trail that takes you into upper Hunter Canyon on a very technical 4WD road, onward to Pritchett Arch, and down Pritchett Canyon to Kane Creek Road. We stop at Prostitute Butte for snacks, then at a slickrock play area, then again at a slickrock beehive with a particularly wonderful 360 degree view, and again at Pritchett Arch for a ride on some gnarly singletrack, a light snack and rest, then ride down Pritchett Canyon. Ah, the afterglow! We offer this ride in Summer, but only to very strong riders who are willing to carry the necessary water. In Spring and Fall this ride is pure heaven.
Behind the Rocks/Back of Behind Epic Loop
A very long desert ride for very special people (racers, distance freaks, marathon men and women)
Group maximum size: 5
Surfaces: Everything except mud, unless it rains, then it's everything.
Distance: 32 miles
Attractions: All the glory of the Behind the Rocks Epic but instead of
the downhill into Pritchett Canyon we do a figure 8. This ride includes extra distance to challenge
the heart and lungs of those of us who enjoy the extra endorphines and
that mountainbike afterglow.
This ride is a combination of Behind the Rocks and Back of Behind (see the other listings). We travel out behind the "beehives" to Prostitute Butte for snacks. We take to the next prominent right hand spur off the Back of Behind Trail though to Upper Hunter Canyon then down to Pritchett Arch. We visit the arch for lunch and then turn back and ride the entire length of the Back of Behind Trail to the waiting vehicle.
Eagle Dog Style Epic Figure Eight
This is a complex extra-epic route that has it all, fast downhill, technical climbing, and fantastic scenery. It begins at the top of the Gemini Bridges Trail and loops out over the cliffs above the Moab Fault, through Arths Pasture, then dives down to loop again around Dog Style rock.
Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: 4WD track, singletrack, slickrock, sand, rock ledges, loose rock,
de facto singletrack .
Distance: 35+ miles
Attractions: Cliff edge, slickrock freeform, strange rock formations, outrageous downhill for about 8 miles, ledges, sand, everything, and then some.
Lockhart Basin Epic
Across the Colorado from Canyonlands National Park is Lockhart Basin, a rarely visited area of bizzare rock formations, desolate side canyons, and colors that defy imagination, and a road runs through it. This is the White Rim Trail's alter ego, a ride where you will travel for 55 miles and probably never see another soul. This day epic can be tailored down to about 43 miles and offers very strong riders a chance to get away from it all for a long day during the spring or fall. Winter day tours are also possible, depending on weather. Not so great in the summer however. The trail is mostly technically easy, but the distance is not.Group minimum/maximum size: 4 to 8 experts.
Surfaces: Bedrock, hardpack, sand, on a 4WD track.
Distance: Up to 55 miles.
Attractions: Spectacular vistas, fantastic buttes, weird colors and formations, and much more. LSD (long steady distance).
Mountain Bike Challenge Route--Multi-day
The Challenge Route first attacks Kane Springs Canyon, which by itself is one hell of a ride. The route then heads into the Canyon Rims Recreation Area and evenutally loops back to Moab via Lockhart Basin. This ride is not a one day affair and if you are interested in it with Dreamride, please book your package far in advance. We only offer this one to private groups of very skilled riders.
Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: 4WD track, singletrack, slickrock, sand, rock ledges, loose rock,
de facto singletrack .
Distance: 100+ miles
Attractions: Deep canyons, cliff edges, slickrock, strange rock formations, distance, distance, distance. Some sections of the trail are just "put your head down and hammer."
The La Sal and Abajo Mountains Epics Galore
Singletrack trails in the La Sal Mountains are consistently extremely difficult and challenge even the most experienced rider. If you are looking for super mountain difficulty, then the La Sals have more than their share. We offer a singletrack in the Abajo Mountains, however, that is the very best anywhere in the United States and not quite as "get off and walk" as the La Sals. Both ranges offer connecting routes that can be combined for more mileage than you would ever want.Group maximum size: 4 experts.
Surfaces: Singletrack, 4WD track, gravel, loose rock, hard pack, loam, rocky ledges, stream bed, sand.
Distances: 10 to 55
Attractions: Abundant wildlife, beautiful views, cool forests, water, bike camping.
Trails: Aspen Flat, Moonlight Meadow, Warner Lake options, La Sal Loop, Miners Basin, Burro Pass, La Sal Pass, Sheepherder's Heaven, Indian Creek, Shay Mountain, Elk Ridge, Beef Basin, The Seven Sisters, and many more.
In winter and early spring Dreamride offers backcountry ski tours in the La Sals and the Abajos.
"There are trail guides; and then there's the real deal." ~ Bike Magazine
"Mountain Bike America's Moab guide is setting a new standard for guidebooks. Lee Bridgers' first-hand accounts give the reader a sense that they have some behind-the-scenes information about Moab." ~ Brian Fiske, Senior Editor of Mountain Bike Magazine
Lee Bridgers' Moab guidebook is now available in bookstores around the world. Get a signed copy: CONTACT DREAMRIDE.
Call 435-259-6419.
FAX number is 435-259-8196.
or write to:
Dreamride
P.O. Box 1137
Moab, UT 84532