My first tour and I took on a big one. The route was cobled together from several established routes including bike paths, gravel roads, Jeep trails, and pavement. It started in Grand Junction, CO and followed Kokopelli Trail to UT-128 into Moab and Arches National Park. Back roads to Monticello, US-191 and across UT-95 through Bear's Ears, Natural Bridges, Fry Canyon, and Glen Canyon. UT-24 through Capitol Reef National Park to UT-12. UT-12 through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Bryce Canyon National Park. Back track on UT-12 to Kodachrome State Park and Cottonwood Canyon Road and House Rock Road through the Grand Staircase and Vermillion Cliffs National Monuments. South on US-89 to AZ-64 a long South Rim of Grand Canyon, then US-180 to Flagstaff, AZ. As a bonus, I rode to Sedona, AZ on US-89A to the bike shop that packed and shipped my bike home.

It was a three week tour, covered 1,000+ miles with 50,000+ feet of climbing. I had one zero day at Bryce Canyon, otherwise averaged 50 miles and 2,400 feet of climbing per day. I camped most nights with a stay in a hostel in Moab, a cabin in Teasdale, a cabin in Bryce Canyon, warmshowers in Tuba City, and a cute 1920s traveler motel in Flagstaff.

I rode solo and met some wonderfully supportive and encouraging people along the way. Planning the tour was incredibly stressful because there were so many unknowns, but riding the route was extremely fun with very little stress. The only mechanical issues I had were from dust gumming up the drivetrain, an easy fix with a rag and cleaner/lube. No flats (tubeless) and no other issues. My biggest concern was the rental RVs and "wagon trains" (a truck pulling a large camper that is pulling a vehicle).

It has been a dream of mine to do a long distance bike ride and it feels amazing to have accomplished a dream. It was rewarding, it was fun, and I have the big to do more travel like this!