Moab is one of those bucket list destinations for mountain bikers and draws riders from all over the world. It used to be GREAT, but it’s not the same place that it was even five years ago. Now Moab is even BETTER! The town has been on a rampage building more new sweet single track loops. The classics are still there, but new trail development has evolved Moab to step up its mecca status. With new parks, easily accessible camping and great facilities to clean up and even get a swim in, Moab has also turned into a great basecamp for adventure travelers that chose to bring their own accommodations.
Over the years, our spring and fall pilgrimages with friends migrated to places like Hurricane, Fruita and Grand Junction from Moab as these locations focused on building their trail systems. They were new and exciting. Moab previously required a shuttle or long double track climbs to get to the singletrack goods . Times have definitely changed. You can now tie together some monster loops with other trail systems to create the ride of your dreams with incredible views and trail. The newer trails are now actually the ones we find ourselves riding the most. These include the Mag 7 trails, Captain Ahab, Horsethief, Navajo Rocks and great additions in the Klondike system.
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Moab is set up as an ideal basecamp that has grown to offer facilities far beyond what its 5,000+ full-time population would suggest. The newly completed Lions Park on the Colorado River at 191 in addition to several other parks provide great options for all after a long day on the trails.
Insider Tips:
- Save your brand new tires for installing after you leave Moab. The slickrock on most of the popular trails is quite abrasive and will eat through tires quick.
- Full suspension is strongly advised as well as a dropper seatpost. That abrasive slick rock can also do a number on your body, jarring and rattling your body. The steep, technical rock ledges, drops and occasional exposure is more fun with a dropper.
- No full suspension or dropper? No problem, the shops in town have great rentals that are awesomely suited to the terrain.
- Come to one of the Spring or Fall festivals – Outerbike and Spring Thaw. They have plenty of the latest model bikes and gear to demo. The vibe is super fun with lots of big smiles to provide any guidance you may desire.
- Enjoy the facilities that Moab has built to convince you during your stay. The awesome Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center is great for working out any aches from riding in the pool or in the gym. You can also get a shower here. The Library is also great and set up very well for any “work” you may have to tend to.
- You are in Utah with conservative liquor laws. The State Liquor store is where you want to go for “real” beer or booze. Moab Brewery offers high point beer to go too. “Real” beer can also be purchased in any restaurant in a bottle. Draft beer is low point only!
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Camping/Logging: We almost never get hotel rooms in Moab, but if you need a hotel…there are plenty of options. Camping is plentiful within the Moab area. There is a ton of paid camping up and down the Colorado river and free camping to the north on BLM land and to the south in the La Sals. IF you are tent camping and want a sweet shaded place a couple blocks from Main St, Up The Creek is a great spot.
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We look forward to continue with our annual pilgrimages to Moab in order to see additional new development. Word is that we’ll continue to see more in the La Sals in addition to newly constructed trail on the south end of the range. There is a new backcountry Yurt company, called Talking Mountain Yurts, high in the La Sal Mountains. The Crankjoy team has been enjoying Moab for over 20 years now and I definitely do not see that stopping anytime soon. We’ll be back agin this fall for Outerbike, hope to see you there.
Come out and join us! You won’t be disappointed![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
