OVERVIEW
This roaming loop tour will take you biking and hiking through FOUR amazing National Parks of southern Utah. We will visit  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.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride.  Should someone's health become compromised and the group's health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned. 

RIDE RATING  3C
There are three days that exceed the 3 rating in elevation and four days that exceed the B rating in distance.  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 but due to the altitude and remoteness, the ride is rated here as 3C. 

ROUTES/CUE SHEETS/MAPS:

GPX files for all routes will be available via a Ride with GPS (RWGPS) event created by the ride directors. You will be able to download the files to your device before the tour begins.  (Devices could be Garmin, Wahoo, or your phone.) All tour routes include audible turn by turn cues. Make sure you have enough battery life. Riders wanting printed cue sheets should print them at home ahead of time. 

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 but anything can happen in the desert so make sure to bring layers and be prepared for weather (rain/snow.)

LODGING & LUGGAGE
Lodging will vary depending on the location from small, modest motels to some very nice resort hotels. Luggage will be transported in the luggage and supply truck and 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 three dinners, 10 lunches, and 13 daily “Happy Hours” with snacks and beverages . Most breakfasts, but not all, are provided by the hotels. If not provided by the hotel, there are options to purchase.   On the days where other food is available along the route, participants can choose to stop and buy along the way or carry the simple PB&J sandwiches provided by BAC. On remote days there will be additional BAC provided sandwich options and a designated lunch stop.  Please note: there is one group dinner which cannot be vegetarian. 

* 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 on May 15th at 5pm for Happy Hour at the Abbey Inn and Suites in Cedar City, Utah. Delta Airlines serves Cedar City with flights from Salt Lake City.  The Abbey Inn provides an airport shuttle but it must be scheduled ahead of time. There is also bus/shuttle service from Las Vegas Airport to Cedar City. During the tour vehicles must be parked in the free parking lot at the nearby airport. Bike case storage options are available. Let the ride leader know if bringing a bike case. Rental bikes are not available. Tandem and e-bikes are welcome but will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Due to the shuttle through the Zion Tunnel the number of tandems that can be accepted is extremely limited. Talk with the leaders about this. When you are accepted on the tour, you can access the "Ride Leader Docs" posted on the tour page. There you will find the “Welcome letter” for specific details about the tour.

ITINERARY

• May 15th, Saturday - arrival - We'll start this Utah tour with the traditional orientation meeting and happy hour, followed by a group dinner.  Lodging - Abbey Inn and Suites, Cedar City, Utah.
• May 16th, Sunday – approximately 59 miles 2,400’ climbing - Cedar City to Springdale - Zion National Park. Lodging: Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites
• May 17th, Monday – 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 18th, Tuesday – 20 miles 1,400’ - Springdale to Mt. Carmel Junction.  Today we take a mandatory group 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. Optional additional miles from Mt Carmel Junction.
• May 19th, Wednesday – 59 miles 4,100’ - Mt. Carmel Junction to Bryce Canyon City located just outside the entrance to Bryce National Park. Lodging at Best Western Ruby’s Inn.
• May 20th, Thursday – 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 21st, Friday – 49 miles 2,100’ – Bryce Canyon City to Escalante. Lodging at Canyon Country Lodge.
• May 22nd, Saturday  – 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. Group dinner at the iconic Hell’s Backbone Grille.
• May 23rd, Sunday– 39 miles 4,100’ – Boulder to Torrey - Located outside Capitol Reef National Park. Lodging at Capitol Reef Resort.
• May 24th, Monday – 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 25th, Tuesday – 69 miles 3,400’ - Torrey to Antimony – Lodging at Rocking R Ranch. Dinner 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 26th, Wednesday – 47 miles 1,400’ – Antimony to Panguitch – Lodging: Purple Sage Motel.
• May 27th, Thursday – 58 miles 4,900’ – Panguitch to Cedar City via Cedar Breaks National Monument. Lodging at Abbey Inn and Suites
• May 28th, Friday  – Departure after breakfast

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost for this tour listed above does not include the BAC registration fee. Cost includes 13 nights of lodging plus tips, 10 lunches (see above), three dinners plus tips, 8 breakfasts included by hotels, happy hours each day, navigation aids (gps files), 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.

The deposit is required upon acceptance on the ride.  The second payment of the remaining balance will be due January 4, 2027.  The current budget is calculated on the basis of 16 paying riders.  

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until December 1st, 2026 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1500 Solo 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.

Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by December 1st, 2026 by check or Zelle. Make checks payable to “BAC” and mail to Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

Send Zelle payments to treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org. Indicate the ride name when using either method  by Zelle or check.

To pay using Zelle:

• In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email

address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

• Initiate a payment
• In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org. Checks

should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to:

Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

BAC Ride Registration Fee and payment processing fee are not refundable, unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour.  Refunds of tour payments depends on whether a replacement rider signs up and on the costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded is 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 are 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 Solo Supplement Fee for the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT POLICY: 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 tour 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 the ride leaders. While on the tour, 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 tour by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the tour. Please keep the ride leader(s) informed of any special request you may have and respect the ride leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE STATEMENT: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website. 

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). 

While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. 

HOW TO 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 accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee . As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.