Hotel Arrangements

I checked availability for September 18 and there doesn’t appear to be a problem. Rates for a double or a single King range from $180/200 up to $313 for Gonzo Inn. We should still make a decision relatively soon. The other consideration is whether most of the group wants to arrive early and ride around Moab before White Rim or do so after. If we stay in Blanding, there are fewer accommodations, but less demand, probably good to book earlier than later

Mike Lukza

I'll be driving out from Oregon (plan on bring my bike), arriving a day or two before the ride, and I drive through Salt Lake City. If anyone needs a pickup at SLC, that could work out. Diane (my wife) will fly out to meet me after the ride, and we plan to spend some time in the Park City area afterwards before driving home together. I'm flexible on the timing overall, so Bears Ears after the White Rim tour looks like a possibility. I've never been there. I've camped in Dead Horse and Arches and Natural Bridges - all great areas. I'm sure looking forward to going back and revisiting them!

I'm hoping to ride on the day of the 18th. It doesn't have to be too ambitious, but after two days spent driving in a car, I know it will feel nice to stretch my legs. It will also serve as a shakeout ride, to see if anything is amiss with the bike. Maybe just a couple hours in the morning or afternoon, with the remaining time spent hiking or touring?

Brian Cox

I'll be driving from Los Angeles one or two days before the ride, plus Sept 22 and 24th in Blaning. Arriving from the South. Planning on renting a bike for the trip.

Keith Snedema

I'm currently planning to rent a bike through White Rim Tours, which means I'll be hiking any other stops we make. Are you guys planning to bring your own bike or renting from another outfitter?

Chuck Swaney

I’m bringing my gravel bike. I Plan to arrive on Sept 17 (Friday) driving my own car. I'll plan on my new 2-bike rack on the rear hitch, but have the racks which connect to the roof rails if they would be helpful--these require standard fork/wheel connections-no through axles. I prefer in town. I'll bring my own bike. I am available for riding after the white rim tour in Bear's Ears and am flexible as to how many days that would be.

Will we be staying in Moab just before or also after the White Rim tour for several days? If everyone else can come before the tour it would make a great deal of sense to have the home for a single longer stay. If so, we could either have a single night in Moab or drive to Blanding, close to Bear’s Ears, which is 70 miles south.. I think we could just leave Moab and go to Blanding and Bear’s Ears, but staying in Moab could allow us to decompress from the ride and have a nice meal and clean up... All that could happen in Blanding also however but it would be a little less upscale and require a drive.

My pre-trip plans are firming up and I plan to get to Moab on the 17th (Friday), either driving or car-pooling with MikeH and Keith. If we're using my car, I have two options for rear racks--one that hangs bikes from the top tube (fits 3 well and 4 with some doing if the bikes are the right ones) and a Kuat rack which the bikes set on with their tires in place, nice for Mt bikes and those with through axles. I have roof racks for an additional 2 bikes, but it requires conventional axles with the front forks attaching to the racks, rear wheels in place.

I prefer the in-town option for lodging, also and love the idea of a warm up ride on the 18th, Canyonlands?? to see the route from above--its a great ride west from the visitor center (which is where the rim ride ends) and stays on top of the mesa, a nice rolling ride and for those who wish to ride longer, can continue all the way back to Moab. There are lots of options around the Moab area.

Post Ride, I don't care whether we stay in Moab after the trip, but the motels in Blanding or Monticello will be cheaper and are between an hour and hour 1/2 south of Moab, therefore, I would favor moving south. If staying in either town, restaurants in the other town are only 20 minutes apart so it doesn't really matter. All in all, however, Blanding is closest to the Bears Ears and Natural Bridges National Monument. Probably my choice

Bear's Ears, and is closer to Moab. Blanding is 21 miles south of Monticello and is closer to the southern part of Bear's Ears--the Bear's Ears, the Natural Bridge National Monument, and if you so desire, the Goosenecks of the San Juan.

https://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm. Natural Bridges National Monument

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goosenecks/. Goosenecks of the San Juan

Christopher Davies

I am also planning on bringing my own bike. I'll ship it using ShipBikes.com which uses Fed Ex, and Rim Tours will store the bike. (Somewhere in their literature they said to mark the bike box "Hold for xxx" or if you want them to assemble you can indicate that on the shipping tag. Makes it easy to have a place to ship the bike to, that will hold it securely.

I would like to be in Moab for the two nights before our White Rim ride, so I'll stay in Moab 9/17 and 9/18, allowing a ride (perhaps on the Slick Rock trail or the less challenging trails we rode two years ago) on the 18th.

Regarding hotels, I always like a bargain, but the house is quite a ways - maybe 7 miles - from town, so not as convenient.

Post Ride, I'd certainly prefer one night in Moab after the four days without a shower. Perhaps even two after the White Rim ride, which would give us a day to do some other of the many alternatives from Moab. We could even bike the Islands in the Sky to look down on where we had just been!

Mike Hover

I am bringing a bike. I will be arriving on Sept 17. Keith will probably travel with me. so the two of us will spend two nights in Moab: 09/ 17&18. I will be transferring to Blanding the same day we finish White Rim. Three nights in Blanding for two and one-half days visiting Bears Ears. Then off for home.

We will have at least 4 cars (Mike Hover, Mike Lukza and Brian and Chuck) so the Place being out of town will not be a problem. And the center of town gets very busy Saturday nights, what with all the yahoos buzzing around (I am basing that on our last trip there which included a weekend: very busy; pre-pandemic, in October). And the price is right: about $100 per night per person.

If we have a place for Friday night we can get a ride or hike in Friday evening and one on Saturday.

Jireh Chao

I’m still sorting logistics that everyone is sharing. I am considering flying to Moab from Philly and I don’t have mountain bike or tent. I am open to the group decision as far lodging and may need transportation coordination if it’s convenient and workable.

What a team work. Greatly appreciated. As a matter of fact Chris and I are coming in and leaving same flights. Thanks again