Life Elevated

Sunset at Sorrel River Ranch

Sunset at Sorrel River Ranch

Although we are only a few weeks into our training programme, the nasty weather that was plaguing Montrose last week made us decide it was high time for a change of cycling scenery. After scoping out our options, we packed up our gear and drove to Moab in order to sample some of the region’s best road cycling.

We stayed at the amazing Sorrel River Ranch, which is a sprawling resort that sits right on the Colorado River in the shadow of some seriously impressive buttes and canyon walls. Blessed with unseasonably warm weather (mid to upper 60s and sunny) we thought a little cycling and a little horse riding would be just the ticket. (We later found that the two very different saddles are able to produce two very similar sore bums!).

Sorrel River is located right on Highway 128, which also happens to be where the area’s newest bike path and our ride for the weekend, the Moab Canyon Pathway, starts. We originally wanted to start cycling right from the resort, but in the end we decided it would be a good idea to drive to the trailhead. It wasn’t just the windy 15 mile road with little to no shoulder that put us off, but the frequent drivers with a need for speed that came together to make for what we thought would be less than a fun cycling experience. We’ve decided a much safer option to take in the jaw-dropping scenery would be in the comfort of a raft this summer.

So after driving to mile marker two on Hwy 128, we mounted our trusty bikes to begin our 60-minute ride. The first part of the path is an easy ride through the narrow red rock canyon as the pavement gently snakes along the Colorado until it reaches a junction, giving cyclists the chance to turn off to Moab or head north on Hwy 191 to the entrance of Arches National Park. From the park (entrance for bikes is $10 or you can purchase the $80 annual pass, which is a ridiculously good deal) you can cycle the 30-40 miles (depending on your route) out and back which includes a climb at the beginning that makes you very deserving of that post-ride beer.

If you would rather forego Arches, the bike path continues north for another 6.5 miles along (and eventually under) Highway 191 to the start of Highway 313. If you’re up for a challenge, head up Hwy 313 to the stunning Canyonlands National Park where Island in the Sky’s Grand View Point (the end of the park) is about 35 miles one way. There is a decent shoulder the whole way and while the climb may be challenging for some, you’ll be in very good company - we spotted at least two dozen cyclists along the way.

While Moab is far more known for its mountain biking than its road biking, the stunning scenery leading up to both national parks is more than worth the relatively quick jaunt from Montrose, so much so that we are already planning on returning soon!

Rob and I are a few weeks into training for #RidetheRockies and (due to the very easy training schedule for the first month) it’s going very well. For the most part we’re staying on track and have only missed one day, which I think we can chalk up to excitement over us getting engaged (read: too much celebratory Champagne!).

Brittany Panter and Rob McGovern are freelance writers from Colorado and Wales respectively. They are participating in Ride the Rockies 2017 as part of the Media Pass Program and as such will be writing about their experiences as they train for the race. To read more about Rob and Brittany click here.

#ladybirdrides