National Parks of Southern Utah

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
Ride your bike and hike through Southern Utah’s National Parks. We will visit four National Parks:  Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef and Cedar Breaks. Each park showcases the iconic landscape of the Colorado Plateau, much of it an ancient Sahara desert now turned to stone. The surreal tableau of arches, alcoves, hoodoos, and epic canyons is so otherworldly, you may wonder what planet you’re on. Our first ride is to Zion National Park where you will have a layover day to hike up the Narrows, Angels Landing or other inspiring hikes. Our next National Park is Bryce Canyon where you will have a day to hike and view the red and white formations in the Park. Next we head through Escalante National Monument en route to Capitol Reef National Park, with another day to explore. On our way back we ride through Cedar Breaks National Park. Accommodations range from local hotels to resorts at the entrance to the National Parks. This tour is expansion of a successful September 2014 “Southern Utah National Parks” tour led by Patrick Engstrom.

RIDE RATING – 3C
There are two days that exceed the 3 rating in elevation. See itinerary for details. Participants should also be aware that there are a few short pitches with grades in excess of 8%. We will be riding at an average altitude of 5,500 feet with Cedar Breaks National Monument over 10,000 feet. The ride rates as a 3B, however, due to the altitude and remoteness of some of the rides it is rated here as a 3C.

WEATHER
We will be riding from lower elevation in Cedar City to higher elevation at the National Parks. Cedar City can be warm in the 70’s, and the Parks can be quite cool in the morning down to freezing. Rain averages less than one inch for May for our ride area.

LODGING & LUGGAGE
Lodging will vary depending on the location from small, modest motels to some very nice resort hotels. Luggage is limited to two pieces. The larger piece is limited to 35 pounds with total linear inches not exceeding 54".  One additional bag will be allowed that meets airline carry on size.

FOOD
Trip fees will cover four dinners, all lunches, and “Happy Hour” each day. Most breakfasts, but not all, are provided by the hotels.

* Note:  Although the food and supplies for lunches and Happy Hours will be provided by the ride leader, all participants will be asked to assist with preparing the lunch buffet area, laying out the lunch supplies and clean up. This will be done on a rotational basis in teams of four.  The same procedure will be used for Happy Hours.

LOGISTICS
The ride will start and end at the Best Western, Cedar City, Utah. Delta Airlines serves Cedar City with flights from Salt Lake City. There is also shuttle service from Las Vegas Airport to Cedar City. Vehicles may be left at the hotel parking lot at no extra cost. Bike boxes may also be left at the hotel. 

ITINERARY

• May 19, 2019, Sunday - arrival - We'll start this Utah tour at 5:00 pm with the traditional orientation meeting and happy hour, followed by a group dinner.  Lodging - Best Western, Cedar City, Utah.

• May 20th, Monday – 65 miles 2,900’ climbing and 4,900’ of descent - Cedar City to Springdale - Zion National Park. Optional lunch stop at a state park. Lodging: Holiday Inn Express.

• May 21st, Tuesday – Layover day or optional hiking in Zion National Park. Also can ride and/or use shuttles in the Park. Numerous hikes available with more information to be provided prior to the ride. Zion is known for striking contrasts found within its boundaries with immense red and white sandstone cliffs.

• May 22nd, Wednesday – 20 miles 1,400’ - Springdale to Mt. Carmel Junction.  Today we take a shuttle through the tunnel, then ride our bicycles through the sculpted sandstone. Lodging is at the Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge. Relaxed mountain hotel featuring a restaurant, an outdoor pool.

• May 23rd, Thursday – 58 miles 3,900’ - Mt. Carmel Junction to Bryce Canyon City located just outside the entrance to Bryce National Park. Lodging at Best Western Ruby’s Inn.

• May 24th, Friday – Layover Day in Bryce Canyon City – Hiking in Bryce National Park. Erosion has carved fantastic shapes into the Canyon landscape: castles, towers, fins and a multitude of strange creatures. Unlimited opportunity for recreation.

• May 25th, Saturday – 45 miles 2,000’ – Bryce Canyon City to Escalante. Lodging at Canyon Country Lodge with dinner.

• May 26th, Sunday – 29 miles 2,900’ - Escalante to Boulder. Optional out and back ride on Burr Trail, 35 miles, 1,350’. Views of the Henry Mountains, the colorfully contorted Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon. Lodging: Boulder Mountain Lodge. Boulder Mountain Lodge is an oasis of calm, comfort, and luxury in the middle of Utah’s scenic red rock canyon country and mountain forests.

• May 27th, Monday – 36 miles 3,900’ – Boulder to Torrey - Located outside Capitol Reef National Park. Lodging at Capitol Reef Resort.

• May 28th, Tuesday – Layover day for hiking and riding Capitol Reef National Park. A jumble of many different types of sandstone forming folds, crevices, arches and bridges.

• May 29th, Wednesday – 67 miles 2,900’ - Torrey to Antimony – Lodging at Rocking R Ranch. Dinner and music at a real old-west working Utah dude ranch where cowboys brand cattle, grow and harvest crops, and know how to have fun when the work is done.

• May 30th, Thursday – 47 miles 1,400’ – Antimony to Panguitch – Lodging: Local Motel.

• May 31st, Friday – 56 miles 3,400’ – Panguitch to Cedar City via Cedar Breaks National Monument. Lodging at Best Western. Farewell Dinner

• June 1st, Saturday – Departure after breakfast

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost for this tour is $2,500 and does not include the $50 BAC registration fee. Cost includes all lunches (*see note above), four dinners, most breakfasts, happy hours each day (*see note above), lodging, navigation aids (cue sheets, gps files and cycling maps), bicycle and rider transport through the Zion Tunnel, and luggage transfer by van.  Emergency support will be provided if necessary. National Park entrance fees are not included.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome! It is recommended that singles who want a roommate, try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until November 19, 2018 to find a roommate.  If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $50 BAC fee and credit card fees) or pay the $1,300 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The ride leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Single supplement payments will need to be made by check directly to the Ride Leader.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and credit card fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally sign the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the nonrefundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit ($1,250) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. The second payment of $1,250 will be due November 19, 2018.  BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Leader by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description, or by calling John at 503-559-8932.