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Bears Ears National Monument MTB/Gravel

Our route begins below the 8,000 foot Bears Ears Pass, surrounded by ponderosa pine, and follows Elk Ridge, the backbone between the Abajo Mountains and the Colorado River. We’ll explore secluded canyons, rich in cultural history of the ancestral Puebloan people, searching for ancient rock art and cliff dwellings.

Accommodations
Camping
Total Mileage
70-80
Group Size
16 Maximum (new small group departure)
Range of Daily Mileage
12 – 25
Fundraising Commitment
$2,400
Trip Length
4 Days

Bears Ears is a national treasure every bit as amazing as its sister parks immediately to the north, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Bears Ears contains (and protects) hundreds of ancient stone and earth dwellings and rock art panels, and scores of intricate wilderness-quality canyons cutting down through the sandstone to the Colorado River. If you want to visit Bears Ears, the most intimate method is by mountain bike.

Our route begins below Bears Ears Pass, surrounded by ponderosa pine, and follows Elk Ridge, the backbone between the Abajo Mountains and the Colorado River. We’ll explore secluded canyons, rich in the cultural history of the ancestral Puebloans, searching for ancient rock art and cliff dwellings. The landscape changes from cool alpine to colorful desert after our dramatic descent to the boundary of Canyonlands National Park. Our final night is spent at this area’s most beautiful campsite, Cathedral Butte.

On this charitable event, all of the biking takes place on gravel roads and trails. Local guides and our Climate Ride team will take care of all the details, allowing us to ride, connect, and see the national monument under threat of losing protected status and being opened to oil and gas drilling and mining.

On this charitable biking event, we travel where few tourists go. We stay in beautiful backcountry camps.

This trip is well-suited to road cyclists who can get comfortable on a mountain bike.  The terrain is gravel roads and trails. You should train to ride 30 miles per day on gravel roads. There are shorter options each day if you choose to ride in the support van. Or if you wish for extra mileage, there will be options on most days. For very fit road cyclists who are also good mountain bikers, this is a moderate trip. For road cyclists who are not experienced with mountain bikes, this will be an intermediate trip.

This tour was operated in conjunction with the outfitter, Rim Tours which is permitted to operate in the areas we rode. Climate Ride charitable events bring together bright minds, breathtaking routes for all cycling abilities, and an unforgettable combination of passion and purpose. On this trip, we’ll get a first-hand look at the environmental issues affecting Bears Ears. You can choose from our full list of beneficiaries and proceeds will be distributed to the Climate Ride grants program based on your beneficiary selection. You will have access to our superb personal fundraising software and the full support of our team. Participants may select their beneficiaries from our list of more than 100 extraordinary non-profit organizations.

 

Meals

This is a backcountry camping trip. You will need to bring or rent a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You can rent these through our outfitter and they will be brought to camp (rental information will be provided the Ride Guide).

Our guides carry solar showers and washbasins on each tour. Washbasins are available every day. Depending on the group size and weather, solar showers are usually available every other day. We suggest bringing unscented “baby- wipes” for quick clean up after riding.

Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks are handled by our expert local guides. We serve delicious energy packed meals with lots of fresh ingredients to satisfy all tastes. We can accommodate special diets; just let us know your preferences. We do not provide alcoholic beverages, but feel free to bring your own. We do provide sodas, Gatorade, and plenty of water. If you require or prefer special snacks and electrolyte supplements we recommend that you bring them. 

 

Travel Information & Accommodations

This charitable mountain biking trip begins at 8 am in Moab, Utah. You may safely leave your car at our meeting place or you may arrange a pick-up at your hotel.  A continental breakfast of coffee, juice, fruit, and bagels will be served while our staff is loading your gear into the support vehicles and taking care of last minute details. If you prefer a larger breakfast you may want to dine before you arrive. We recommend Jail House Café or the Moab Diner, both located on Main Street.

The cycling event will end in Moab on Day 4 between 3-4pm. 

GETTING TO AND FROM MOAB:

Fly Directly into Moab
– Skywest Airlines has daily flights to Moab out of Denver using 50-seat jets. They code-share with United, so you can book via United or any flight booking platform. The Moab airport is Canyonlands Field (CNY) and lies 17 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191. You can rent a car through Enterprise, (970) 242-8103 or use one of several taxi-like services. For a full list of ground transport options visit http://discovermoab.com/transportation-services/.

From Salt Lake City, UT
– Delta, United, Frontier, Southwest, Alaska, Boutique, American, JetBlue all have flights into SLC.
– Rent a Car: Drive time is about 4 hours to Moab. If renting a car please know you must return it to Salt Lake City or pay an exorbitant drop fee. All major rental car companies have a presence at SLC.

From Grand Junction, CO
– United, Delta, American and Allegiant Airlines all fly into Grand Junction. You’ll need to rent a car to get to Moab but it’s a beautiful, less than 2-hour drive, take Hwy 128 if in daylight!
– Enterprise Rent-A-Car, (970)242-8103, 406 S. 5th ST. Grand Junction, CO. http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?gpbr=1228&bid=004&cnty=US Enterprise may be able to do a one-way rental to Moab — most others will probably require it be a round trip rental.

MOAB LODGING:

Here are handpicked recommendations.

Bed & Breakfast
– Cali Cochitta: 435-259-4961, http://www.moabdreaminn.com/. Quaint home with hot tub, beautiful rooms, antique furnishings, and a superb breakfast chef.
– Sunflower Hill B&B: 435-259-2974, http://www.sunflowerhill.com/. Moab’s finest. American and European antiques. Ask for a room in the Garden Cottage. Very private, hot tub, gardens, lots of charm.
Moderately priced
– Red Stone Inn: 435-259-3500, http://www.moabredstone.com/. Bike friendly hotel, bikes can be brought in to rooms! Kitchenettes w/microwave, coffee maker, reasonable rates.
– Big Horn Lodge: 435-259-6171, http://www.moabbighorn.com/. Also very bike friendly. New furnishings.
More expensive, the “Best” hotels
– The Gonzo Inn: 435-259-2515 http://www.gonzoinn.com/. The best in Moab. Uniquely furnished. Bike friendly with pool & spa.
– Best Western Canyonlands Inn: 435-259-2300, http://www.canyonlandsinn.com/ Nice, centrally located.
Resorts or Ranches
– Sorrel River Ranch Resort: 877-317-8244, http://www.sorrelriver.com/. Luxury accommodations on the Colorado River, 18 miles from Moab.
– Red Cliffs Lodge: 866-812-2002, http://www.redcliffslodge.com/. Located on the banks of the Colorado River, 15 miles from Moab. This western style lodge caters to the adventure traveler.
Nightly Condo Rentals/Lodging Resources
– Vacasa: https://www.vacasa.com/usa/Utah/Moab/. Nightly rentals of condos and other properties.
– Center Street Condo: 303-619-1954, http://www.vrbo.com/153549. Delightful one bedroom condo in the heart of downtown.
Campgrounds
– Up the Creek Campground: 435-260-1888, http://www.moabupthecreek.com/. Beautiful, quiet & shaded walk-in campground near downtown Moab.

 

What’s the weather going to be like?

In June, the weather in southern Utah tends to be warm to hot, however, this ride takes place at elevation (6,000 and 8,000 ft) which means that temperatures can be from the 70s to high 80s during the day, and into the 40s at night. By June, the snows have usually just melted, and the days are typically sunny and clear with cooler evenings. Many think it’s the best time of year to visit this National Monument! However, the weather in the desert can be very temperamental and hard to predict, so packing layers is a good idea (including jackets and fleeces), and we recommend following the packing list provided in your Ride Guide. As you might be spending some time at lower elevations (like Moab) before or after the trip, remember to also bring shorts and light t-shirts or tops as the weather at lower elevations can be in the high 80s to 90s.

Read our packing list in the Ride Guide and you will be well-prepared.

Cell Phone Service & WiFi

There is limited cell phone access. Enjoy this digital detox!

Do I need to be an experienced mountain biker to go on this trip?

Climate Ride Bears Ears is a moderate, multi-day off-road experience that takes place in remote areas, mostly on doubletrack with packed dirt, loose rock, and a bit of sand. A mountain bike is required. While you don’t have to be an expert mountain biker, we recommend doing at least some of your training on a mountain bike. You should be comfortable riding on packed gravel and should be generally physically fit.

If you want to bring your gravel bike, go for it! The gravel roads are rocky in some places so you should have strong gravel bike skills.

This is not a technically difficult ride but there are some obstacles, climbs, and descents. Steeper pitches can be easily walked! Overall if you’re a cyclist and have some experience riding mountain bikes, you will be just fine!

What do I need to bring on the ride?

All riders need to have a mountain bike (see below for bike rental info), helmet, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (see camping gear rental info), and a suitcase or duffle containing clothes, toiletries, and anything else necessary for several days on the road. The Ride Guide will contain a more detailed suggested packing list. The Ride Guide will be distributed to participants several months before the event. If you have a non-perishable personal favorite snack or electrolyte brand please feel free to bring some along!

Mountain bikes are required for this trip as we’ll be riding on gravel roads. The most important factor in choosing a bike and pedals is your comfort. You want to be riding a bike and using pedals that you will be comfortable riding with for multiple hours a day, for several days in a row. Our local outfitter has mountain bikes (high-quality full suspension bikes) available for rent.

IF BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE: Have your bike tuned up before the tour and have any worn-out parts replaced. You may want to ship your bike ahead of time to Rim Tours in Moab. The assembly fee is $40 or $80, if they also disassemble and box it up at the end of the trip as well. As for tires for your tour, any good off-road tires are fine. We use Wilderness Trail Bike’s latest creations. They’re the best! We do recommend bringing a full suspension bike.

Can I rent a bicycle in Moab for the ride?

Yes! Our partner in Moab will have mountain bikes for rent in various configurations and sizes. These are high-quality full suspension bikes. More information will be available in the Ride Guide.

What kind of support can I expect while on the road?

Climate Ride has partnered with a local Moab outfitter to provide the most experienced and friendliest professional guides. We have rest stops each day with snacks and water, and on-route we have vehicle support that carries luggage, and also functions as a mobile mechanic and first aid station. You can also expect an unlimited supply of camaraderie and encouragement from the Climate Ride staff, the guides, and your fellow riders!

Are showers available on this trip?

We carry solar showers and washbasins on each tour. Washbasins are available every day.

Depending on the group size and weather, solar showers are usually available every other day. We suggest bringing unscented “baby-wipes” for quick clean-up after riding.

Fundraising Beneficiaries

Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to benefit through the Climate Ride grants program. Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.

Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates

Fundraising Deadlines:

$500 to be raised by:TBD
$1200 to be raised by:TBD
$2400 to be raised by:TBD

Learn more about deadlines and transfers on our Policies page.

Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!

More Questions?

Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!

Sarah Marquez, Bears Ears
Bears Ears Ride

The Climate Ride in Bear’s Ears National Monument was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on! Everybody who participates in the ride is really passionate about climate advocacy and it is a great opportunity to meet life-long friends from all walks of life.

Molly Bosted, Bear Ears
Bear Ears Ride

I love Climate Ride – genuinely great people doing imperative work with passion and professionalism!