Utah attracts outdoor adventurers with its vast wilderness and climate. Moab is a mountain town full of young, athletically inclined people who live there to take advantage of the nearby desert wilderness. These days, Moab is best known as a mountain biking mecca for cyclists, as thousands of peddlers ride the local trails every year. Even so, the off-road recreation in the area was first popularized by four-wheelers and motorcyclists, and there are still exceptional riding opportunities in the area.
Equipment
The popularity of dirt biking in Moab keeps equipment shops alive. You'll be able to find all you need to buy or rent in town. To make the most of Utah's desert trails and canyons, a four-stroke bike is recommended for the best handling and reliability for a beginning or intermediate, non-racing rider. The size and power of bike you choose can be further determined by your size, riding level and where you'll be riding the most.
Prepare for your ride by wearing long sleeves and pants and heavy-duty socks. Dirt bikers wear special biking boots and gloves, along with various pads and protective clothing.
Geography
Around Moab you'll find open desert and tight canyon trails to ride. You'll take your bike downhill, dealing with momentum, and uphill, challenging your stability and endurance. You'll maneuver around boulders and blast through creek beds, deal with sand and loose rocks, slick sections and others with great traction. Expect your whole body to get a workout on this terrain.
Trails
Moab is a great base camp for some of the most famous bike trails in the country. Most trailheads are well marked and traveled often. If you go during the high mountain-biking season, you may face a crowd of peddlers. Motor riders often wait until the off-season to take on the more popular biking trails.
The approximately 10-mile Slickrock Bike Trail is very popular with mountain bikers, but it actually started as a motorcycle trail. The trailhead is in town, making Slickrock a great trail for a short day, or an introductory ride.
Poison Spider Mesa is another well regarded Moab trail. Once you've ridden the Poison Spider Trail, you can continue into the Gold Bar Canyon, where riding becomes quickly more challenging with sand and ledges.
Guided Trips
Several dirt biking guides are based in Moab. You can take a lesson and organize an outing for a day, or a weekend, of exploring the Moab trails with an experienced guide. Equipment is included, so it's a great option for those just getting started to see how it feels without committing to purchase a bike or gear.
Some guide services offer multi-day dirt biking and camping experiences in the backcountry. These adventures also include meals, so it's a great opportunity to learn new backcountry cooking techniques and food tips. If you're vegetarian or have food restrictions, be sure to tell your guide ahead of time, and get provisions at one of Moab's local health food stores.
Safety
In addition to the basic safety standards, like wearing a proper helmet and protective clothing, there are a few more things to consider when dirt biking around Moab. Always ride with a partner or group. Although the trails are within easy distance of the city, once you're out in the desert consider yourself isolated. Cell service can be touch and go, so it's important to have several people along in case of an emergency. Even if you do travel in a group, let people at home know your intended path and return time. Plan to check in with them when you safely return.
Rules and Regs
On most Moab-area biking trails riders are not required to have a motorcycle operators license. But some trails, such as those in Canyon Lands National Park, require that dirt bikes be street legal, and that all drivers be licensed.
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