The Bryce to Zion mountain bike ride. I guess it should be called the Zion to Bryce mountain bike ride. This was another ride with Rim Tours.

Actually, we were never really in either of the National Parks riding. Previous rides in Canyonlands National Park seemed off road because of the gravel roads and the remoteness. The National Park Service does not allow any bicycling other than on an established park road. Zion and Bryce, however are well-traveled, paved roads used by tourists and busses alike. This catered and guided tour was based on camping in national forest land in view of those parks. The riding is all single track.  This is still a camping mountain bike ride, with no lodges involved. We did encounter another Rim Tours group who were staying at lodges.

To the dismay of some of the riders, this also was a ride at elevation. The elevation was usually 7000 to 9000 feet. Therefore, the days were cool, and the nights were cold with frost. Many riders thought this riding would be at lower, warmer elevation.  One particular biker from New York, only brought shorts. Most of the others were not prepared for high mountain climate either. Of course, Roel and I brought everything, so we never had a problem. I even had my -40 Marmot down bag.

The first days of riding were in the mountains high above Zion. On some of the ridges we could see Zion in the distance.

The second part of the ride necessitated moving to another camping area in a national forest area close to Bryce Canyon National Park. This, too, was cool camping. Both areas did allow us to have fires at night. After a prepared meal by the Rim Tours staff, the campfire was a welcome addition.

The riding is intermediate. We mostly stay with this now, as I am getting up in years. The falling that was done, was by the younger members, who decided to take the chances -- and paid the price. Of course I got cut and bruised, but no dislocations as with past rides. 

This tour has a really nice single track mountain bike run from the top of Thunder Mountain by Bryce Canyon to a base. I imagine there is a drop of at least 1000 feet or more. This part of the ride is very technical, and although we did not experience it, if you went off the trail there would be some severe penalties for your mistake.

Here are some pictures of the tour.  We camped out, but the guides fed us and pampered us.  Rim Tours is a good outfit, and you will be happy with them.  Chili Pepper Bike Shop in Moab is top drawer, and can do anything you need to prepare your mountain bicycle.

A taste of the trip or you can see all the pictures at the virtual directory.  I cut them down to 500K or less.