Utah cycling vacation

May 30, 2007

Hubby and I just returned from a fabulous vacation in which we saw the spectacular views of Southern Utah by bike. Our Trek Travel group consisted of thirteen avid cyclists and two guides, who were simply awesome, BTW.

We started our journey in Boulder, Utah, with a warm-up ride (ha) to check out the fit of our bikes (provided by Trek Travel). The Burr Trail, a forty mile out and back ride, took us up and over some steep terrain, beautiful to look at but tough on the legs. If that was the prelude of the week to come, we were in for some hurtin’. That evening we got to know our fellow travelers over dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill at the Boulder Mountain Lodge, our first stop. What an eclectic group we were, coming from all over the U.S., New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

The next day, we cycled from Boulder, through Escalante, to Bryce National Canyon, checking in at Ruby’s Inn, where we stayed for two nights. Day three was another out and back, or should I say, up and down. We climbed through Bryce Canyon to the top of Rainbow Point, where the view literally took your breath away, and then we descended the sweeping switchbacks to picnic at a place called Sunset Point. Words to try and describe the Hoodoos, pillars of rock of incredible shapes, left by erosion, would be almost impossible. Even the pictures you’ll find added to my website don’t do justice. The colors in the pictures look washed out, faded, compared to reality.

The next morning we woke to flurries of snow which by the end of breakfast had turned into a full-out blizzard. A hand full of brave souls ventured out into the freezing storm while the rest of us semi sane cyclists shuttled to lower elevation before mounting our bikes to ride to Zion National Park.

While in Zion, we hiked the “Narrows”, a rocky river wedged between two canyon walls, and cycled to the top of another peak, called the Temple of Sinawava. Though the rock formations differ from Bryce, nature’s beauty is still astounding. Nothing in the world compares.

By week’s end, we felt fit and enormously Blessed to have shared God’s wonders with our new friends. If ever given the chance, don’t pass up the miracles of nature found in Southern Utah. Whether you are behind the wheel of a car or pedaling your butt off, it is something you shouldn’t miss.

Please check back in a week or so, under the Bio/photo link to view some of the pictures taken by our guides, Tony and Berkas. Hope you enjoy.

Hugs, Christine.

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