UTAH
I have now done four Duvine trips to date. Constantly raving about it to friends, so my bestie chose this adventure for her 50th birthday celebration. She brought us seven ladies together and we headed to Utah to begin this incredible tour.
Another amazing feature of a Duvine trip is that you can invite anyone who is up for an adventure regardless of their level of physical ability. You have a choice between a road bike where you bring your own shoes and pedals and clip in, a hybrid or an e-bike where you pedal with your runners.
Some of the ladies were a little worried at the beginning, but as soon as they got on their e-bikes and headed out on their first ride there were smiles ear to ear.
“Everyone should have a friend like you! You make us laugh a little louder and smile a little brighter. Life is meant for good friends and great adventures!”
Snow Canyon
Our adventure began in St. George. From here we set off to Snow Canyon, a lesser-known state park that boasts perfectly paved roads and pristine views of the surrounding purple-red mountains.
Most of the hotels on European tours are 5 star and very high end, but this is not possible in State Parks so on this tour the hotels were more rustic, but incredible none the less.
The lunch today at Xetava was rather memorable with the most amazing lemonade ever. It was so good that on our next trip to Utah we had to stop here en route to Springdale.
Entering Bryce Canyon
In Europe you tend to be able to ride between your hotels, but again in the US with these large State Parks, transfers are needed. This morning we took a two-hour shuttle to Bryce Canyon National Park. Just outside of Bryce, we began riding on the beautiful Red Canyon bike path that leads into the park.
Our guides made us the most incredible picnic which we got to enjoy at Sunrise Point. Here we had a choice to head to our new hotel or get in some extra riding with a challenging climb to Rainbow Point. Of course we took the challenge which was incredible. We did get up to very high elevation making this even that much harder, but so glad we did it!
Hiking Bryce Canyon
This was my first “adventure” tour with Duvine. You’re not only riding each day, but exploring areas as they meant to be experienced….on foot.
The classic Queens Garden and Navajo loop in Bryce Canyon lead us into the valley to get up close and personal with these staggering rock spires. The loop combines the open views and unique hoodoos with the iconic switchbacks and towering canyon walls. Walking along these trails felt like walking through a movie set. Nothing like we have ever seen or experienced before.
After the hike and another quick transfer later we got back on the bike for an epic ride that took us into Zion’s Checkerboard Mesa. We pedalled through Navajo Sandstone, a stunning formation built by nature over millions of years before arriving a the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel. The tunnel is long and dark and as a result bikes are forbidden through it. Up they went on the van for the short drive through, before we could continue our ride on winding roads that led us to our hotel that nestled within the majestic cliffs of Zion beside the Virgin River in Springdale.
Zion Valley
Zion National Park has so much to offer, including the famous Narrows Hike. The trail is not maintained as you are hiking in the cold water of the Virgin River on slippery rocks. With proper equipment (sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks available for rent) and good judgement, dangers can be minimized. Flash floods are the most serious hazard in the Zion Narrows. August is the month with the heaviest precipitation while June is the driest. The monsoon season begins in mid-July and continues through mid-September, so if you are considering hiking the Narrows during this time period, get the most updated weather information possible before you begin. If you’re hiking from the bottom and back, no permit is required. We turned around at the 5km mark making the total hike 10km long. Truly an incredible and unique experience!
Final Morning in Zion
On our final morning in Zion, we cycled the road that takes you to the Narrows Hike. You get to see so much more when you’re on a bike vs being in a car or bus. Other than the shuttle buses, no cars are allowed in this part of the park making the ride very quiet end enjoyable.
We enjoyed our final brunch together before a transfer that returned us to St. George.
On to Vegas for the birthday celebration!
