Moab, Fruita and their Mountain Bike Festivals
USA, Bike - Fat Tyre, 13 days - from $2,465 (land only)
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Denver in the early evening. A single group transfer is provided in the early evening. If you cannot take advantage of this transfer, a free airport shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes and will take you to the group hotel. KE Land Only services start with a briefing by the local guide before dinner.
Day 2: We have a 4 hour drive to Fruita and the infamous 18 Road area. Trails in this area consist of fast, hardpack singletrack that weaves in and out of the sandy ridges that surround Fruita. We ride Chutes and Ladders as well as the very fun Kessel Run. Overnight at the group hotel. Ride distance 29 km (18 miles) on the 3 different loops.
Day 3: Today, we drive to nearby Loma, where we ride some world-class trails, such as Rustlers and Mary's Loop. These loops are near the beginning of the Kokopelli Trail a 140 mile trail that connects Loma and Moab. We have our first taste of the technical ledges that make desert riding famous. Overnight at a hotel in Fruita. Ride distance 29 km (18 miles).
Day 4: We ride a long loop that connects sections of Zippity Do Da, the Frontside and other trails, once again in the famous 18 Road area. The loop takes us high onto the mesa, before we gain a narrow ridge that descends for several miles back to the waiting vehicles. Overnight in Fruita. Ride distance 32 km (20 miles).
Day 5: We have an early transfer to Moab the home of mountain biking. We begin our ride by descending the Gemini Bridges trail, a fun and fast ride down to the Moab brand trails, which consist of several smaller loops. A first taste of slickrock. The trail is moderate in technical difficulty, but has a few challenging spots for an epic ride. Overnight in Moab. Ride distance 26 km (16 miles).
Day 6: Today, we will ride the awe-inspiring Porcupine Rim. This amazing loop starts and ends in Moab and climbs up to the rim where there are awesome views of Castle Valley with its monolithic sandstone towers. There is some riding on dirt roads and lots of technical singletrack with the odd carrying section. One of the best day's riding anywhere in the world. Ride distance 40 km (25miles).
Day 7: Today we have a rest day to take in the amazing local geology. There is an optional half day river rafting trip or a hiking/driving tour in the Arches National Park. Here we will see desert spires, natural arches and ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. In the late afternoon we head over to enjoy the events surrounding the 24 hours of the Moab mountain bike race. Overnight in Moab.
Day 8: After breakfast, we ride the most famous trail of all, 'Slickrock', almost all of which is on naked red sandstone. The trail is technical with steep sections, short ledges and sand pits. Overnight in Moab. Ride distance 19 km (12miles).
Day 9: We have a full day of riding on 2 of Moab's legendary trails, the Poison Spider and the Portal. The spider is a 2 track which climbs up from the Colorado River to the sandstone bluffs above, while the Portal is a narrow and vertiginous singletrack with drops back to the river. Overnight in Moab. Ride distance 27 km (17miles).
Day 10: The Amasa Back Trail is Moab's local favourite. It is a strenuous loop which begins with a steep climb. The first descent is very technical and steep. The majority of the ride is on 4WD roads that include such terrain as slickrock, dirt pack and ledgy bedrock. A non stop, action packed, big thrill ride. Overnight in Moab. Ride distance 21 km (13 miles).
Day 11: We return to Fruita and ride some quite technical singletrack, following a section of the Kokopelli Trail that includes the excellent Horsethief Bench singletrack, along ledges, over stair-like drops and with spectacular views of canyon country. Overnight in our Fruita hotel. Ride distance 32 km (20miles).
Day 12: In the morning, we ride The Edge Loop, combining singletrack and a 4WD road. We make a long climb and ride along the rim and through pine trees, before descending to meet our transport and driving to the group hotel near to Denver Airport. Ride distance 53 km (33 miles).
Day 13: KE Land Only services end with breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time in Denver. A group transfer to Denver Airport is provided in the evening. A free shuttle service also operates.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude.
