Touring - Utah Bike tour

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VegasCyclist
07-25-08, 06:52 PM
Hi everyone,

I'm considering doing a tour of southwest Utah (Zion area) and I'm curious if anyone has suggestions for routes. Looking at the map it seems like you can start in Virgin and take the 9 to 89 to 14 to Cedar City. But is it reasonable to try to come back by the 15 to Virgin or St. George?!? I would like to do a loop, but I wouldn't be opposed to an out and back tour or taking another form of transportation back. Anyways I'm interested to hear what everyone thinks.

Also I've never done a tour before but I'm confident I would be ok solo (I have a touring bike + panniers and camping stuff). However, if someone might be interested in touring with sometime in September (maybe?) it could be fun... :)

Peruano
07-25-08, 07:50 PM
The run from Bryce to Zion is relatively easy, more down than up (Rt. 12, 89, 9), but makin the loop to Cedar City is reasonable. It will be importon I ant to determine if frontage roads exist on I-15 so you don't have to ride the shoulder with heavy traffic on your left side. tom
TOLOCOMan
07-25-08, 08:23 PM
Don't know how long you have, but riding the length of route 12 is a very, very good tour. You can make it a loop by coming through Loa, Koosharem, back to 89. (sorry, don't have access to a map right now for the other road #'s) In my opinion, Capitol Reef was even nicer than Bryce or Zion. It would take about a week to 10 days, allowing time for some hiking. I can give you more details on what we did, if that sounds of interest to you.

bgp2
05-14-13, 07:01 PM
I am planning a solo tour in theZion/Bryce area in Sept. I plan to hike and bike(trek 520 w/700x32's) starting in St. Geroge. If I start with Zion and head east, what kind of % road grades will I have on the main roads -9, 89, 12? I'm assuming they are paved. Y/N? Heading east, will they be long steep, uphill climbs or what? I'd also like to continue up to Boulder and maybe Torrey. But then I won't have a straight loop ride back to St. George. Is the extra distance to Boulder and Torrey worth it? I'm retired and have the time. I just want to make good use of it. Are the Arches, Canyonlands and Moab worth the extra pedaling time and distance?