5 Reasons to Attend the Moab Century Tour
5 Reasons to Attend the Moab Century Tour
The 2-day Moab Century Tour, held in Moab, Utah offers some of the best road cycling Utah has to offer, with dramatic landscape changes throughout the routes. While the spring event - known as the Skinny Tire Festival - covets much attention nationwide as a bucket-list event (and why not, with rides through Arches National Park - Don’t sleep on the fall Moab Century Tour! This event has a lot to offer, both to beginner cyclists as well a seasoned pro. We’ll outline just a few of the reasons we think you should add the Moab Century Tour to your fall cycling calendar.
#1 The Weather
Yes, it’s true what you’ve seen. We are in fact a desert and our summer temperatures can rise over the hundreds faster than you shift gears uphill. However, what most people don’t realize, is September often offers the BEST weather of the year in Moab. The lows in the evening average in the 50s - perfect for hoodies and shorts post-ride. The highs can climb into the 80s - But - Keep in mind both routes climb up into high elevations, where cooler temperatures are waiting for you.
#2 The Food
On both days of the route, included with your registration, are two hot lunches provided by an excellent caterer and restauranteur! On Saturday, after the route up to Dead Horse Point State Park, back at the host hotel the great folks at “Have Cooker Will Travel” will have an awesome hot buffet spread ready to tackle your well-earned appetite. On day 2, after you have successfully ascended and then descended from the La Sal Mountains and woven through the Canyons of Castle Valley, you will take a pit stop for lunch at the infamous Red Cliffs Lodge. If you happened to linger at the lodge to capture some scenic photos or check out their free movie museum, we wouldn’t blame you one bit. We also have aid stations throughout each route that will be packed with water, sports drink and salty snacks o’ plenty.
#3 The Entertainment
On Saturday afternoon post-ride, there will be live music to enjoy at the Aarchway Inn along with the hot lunch by the nice folks at Have Cooker Will Travel. This makes for a wonderful casual event where riders can meet each other, swap cycling stories from back home, and enjoy excellent live entertainment.
For your evening entertainment, our night sky puts on one of the greatest shows on earth. We could tell you more, but sometimes it’s just easier to show you.
#4 The Scenery Is Incredible
Most people overlook the Moab Century Tour because it does not go through one of Moab’s two famous national parks, Canyonlands or Arches. This is true. However, what is ALSO true, is the two routes absolutely pack a punch when it comes to breathtaking scenery.
On Day 1 you cycle up to Dead Horse Point State Park, with views overlooking the Colorado River that rival the Grand Canyon. Seriously. This state park is adjacent to Canyonlands National Park, and we promise, it’s just as amazing and jaw-droppingly beautiful. On day 2 you cycle south of Moab and up through the La Sal Mountains in the Manti- La Sal National Forest.
Our mountain range is often overlooked, with the neighboring Rockies to our east and San Juans to our south. However, we can assure you our groves of aspen are just as lush and golden yellow in the fall as Colorado’s. The tallest peak (Mount Peale) stands at an impressive 12,721ft. The La Sals will show off with amazing fall fauna, golden aspens, lush green grass, perfect selfie backdrops, and yes - that colder than below mountain air.
The La Sals are one of the last great secrets of Moab, and to be honest, we like it that way.
#5 Choose Your Challenge
Unlike the Skinny Tire Festival (and most cycling events), the Moab Century Tour on day 1 offers a unique format with 3 different route options. Ranging from 38 miles to 100 miles (it is called a century after all!), all 3 routes are supported by our SAG vehicles and have aid stations. So whether you want to keep it low and stay down in the canyon, or push yourself the 100 miles, we’re prepared to support your adventure. On day 2, we all ride one large (64mi) loop together, with elevation changes reaching 5,500’. It’s a significant climb, and a real accomplishment to be able to say, “ I climbed the Big Nasty!” And, if you are thinking “there’s no way I can get up that hill", we’ve been watching people say that, and then do it, for 20 years. And of course, if you do need an assist, our SAG vehicles are ready to help get you past the steep parts, and zooming back down through the canyons. We’ve seen all skill levels attend the Moab Century Tour, from beginning cyclists to professional cyclists (even a Tour De France participant! Really!)
Bonus Reasons
We hope the reasons above help explain just a few reasons you didn’t know about, to attend the Moab Century Tour this fall. Late September truly is a beautiful time to be in Moab. So quiet that many of our participants add a couple of days to their itinerary to take advantage of the immense sightseeing, hiking, canyoneering, and rock climbing, jeeping, and rafting Moab also has to offer.
And….with Kevin Costner currently filming his new movie in Moab this fall, you may see two types of stars on your visit…
