Moab, UT: Moab Century Tour | Bicycling in Utah

Moab, UT: Moab Century Tour

The ultimate tour of Moab, this 100-miler climbs 3,000 feet into the La Sal Mountains, rolls past the Colorado River, and loops through red rock country.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	22 Sep 2008 3:48:51 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Utah (UT)
Distance:	100.93 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 11538 ft Total Loss: 11537 ft Net Change: 1 ft
Difficulty:	9 / 10
Tags:	Utah, Moab, Monticello
Rating:	1 rating(s) Rate it

Home to dramatic red rock canyons, towering sandstone formations, and the La Sal Mountains, Moab offers cyclists a premier setting for incredible road riding. For those riders who want to see it all in one day, the Moab Century Tour is the perfect opportunity. (The tour also features lower-mileage routes: The Climbing 65 Mile, The Rolling 72 Mile, and The Cruise 42 Mile.)

The route starts at Swanny City Park and heads southeast for an easy spin through Spanish Valley. Take in views of red rock mesas and farmland as you pedal toward the tour’s infamous climb—a 7-mile ascent that gains 3,000 feet in elevation. Dubbed “The Big Nasty,” this ultra-steep (and super scenic) climb into the La Sal Mountains has 3 aid stations, offering riders frequent chances to stretch their legs and refuel on food and water. At the top of the climb, park your bike and take in the breathtaking panoramas of massive rock pinnacles and crimson canyons that extend to the northwest.

From here, it’s a cruisy descent into Castle Valley. Don’t forget to look up every once in a while—autumn turns the La Sals into a patchwork of reds, greens, and yellows. (Check your speed on the numerous switchbacks and cattle grate crossings that pepper the descent.)

The next leg of the tour—a 37.6-mile out-and-back—winds through a canyon carved by the Colorado River. Have fun on the numerous rollers that punctuate this stretch, but make sure to conserve your energy for the final 18-mile push back to Moab.

Note: The tour route may vary year to year.

Info: Moab Century Tour

-Mapped by Kim Phillips

TO TRAILHEAD: The Moab Century Tour starts at Swanny City Park on the corner of Park Drive and N 100 W.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Moab Century Tour

Dist: 100.93 mi	Points: 5596	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Turn Right	Ride south on N 100 W	Then go 0.99 mi
0.99 mi	Turn Right	S 400 E	Then go 0.31 mi
1.30 mi	Bear Left	Millcreek Dr.	Then go 0.49 mi
1.79 mi	Bear Right	Millcreek Dr.	Then go 0.79 mi
2.58 mi	Bear Right	Millcreek Dr.	Then go 0.26 mi
2.84 mi	Bear Left	Spanish Valley Dr.	Then go 6.75 mi
9.59 mi	Bear Left	Geyser Pass Rd./La Sal Mountain Pass Loop Rd.	Then go 10.92 mi
20.51 mi	Straight	La Sal Mountain Loop Rd./Wilson Mesa Rd.	Then go 6.50 mi
27.01 mi	Bear Right	Mountain Loop Rd.	Then go 7.26 mi
34.28 mi	Turn Left	Castleton Rd./Mountain Loop Rd.	Then go 10.71 mi
44.99 mi	Turn Right	UT 128	Then go 18.84 mi
63.82 mi	U-Turn	UT 128	Then go 18.84 mi
82.66 mi	Straight	UT 128	Then go 15.62 mi
98.28 mi	Straight	Bike Path	Then go 0.22 mi
98.50 mi	Turn Left	Follow the bike path until it ends, then merge onto UT 191/Main St.	Then go 1.35 mi
99.85 mi	Bear Right	N 500 W	Then go 0.65 mi
100.51 mi	Turn Left	W 400 N	Then go 0.42 mi
100.93 mi	Stop	Swanny City Park

Points of Interest

Views: Top of The Big Nasty

Location: 38.543167°, -109.310341°
The aid station at the top of the climb offers incredible canyon views and a chance to catch your breath. This is the last aid station before the descent into Castle Valley. ©Kim Phillips

Start/End: Swanny City Park

Location: 38.578450°, -109.553196°
The Moab Century Tour starts from Swanny City Park at the corner of Park Drive and N 100 W. Pedal south on N 100 W for an easy spin through town.

Riding through Moab

Location: 38.555733°, -109.524826°
The route winds to the southeast along two-lane roads bordered by ruddy canyon walls. Use this flat stretch as a warm-up for the Big Nasty.

Spanish Valley Drive

Location: 38.494981°, -109.455757°
Cruise past open fields and hillsides in the Spanish Valley. The La Sal Mountains rise dramatically in the distance. ©Kim Phillips

Country Roads

Location: 38.487995°, -109.452324°
The route continues to climb gradually as it winds through the Spanish Valley toward the La Sal Mountains.

Roadside Views

Location: 38.469986°, -109.434815°
Views of the La Sal Mountains continue to get better as you leave Moab behind and head into the hills.

The Big Nasty

Location: 38.447372°, -109.378685°
Prepare to start climbing. The next seven miles (nicknamed "The Big Nasty") gain 3,000 feet of elevation. The climb is divided into three sections: The first part of the climb, dubbed the "Little Nasty," features several switchbacks and views of the La Sals.

Views from Geyser Pass Road

Location: 38.454865°, -109.377052°
©Kim Phillips

The Top of Little Nasty

Location: 38.455284°, -109.378365°
An aid station awaits at the top of this switchback. Catch your breath, grab a snack, and stretch your legs. Views extend in every direction. When you're ready, get back on the saddle and follow the road to the east for more climbing.

Aid Station

Location: 38.455364°, -109.378311°
Riders take a quick break at the aid station. ©Kim Phillips

Drummers

Location: 38.455421°, -109.378227°
Entertainment at the aid station. ©Kim Phillips

Aid Station

Location: 38.488700°, -109.315574°
Grab more snacks and drinks at the aid station. If your legs are feeling good, keep climbing.

Views of the La Sal Mountains

Location: 38.539372°, -109.327187°
In the fall, the mountainsides turn a brilliant shade of yellow. ©Kim Phillips

Aid Station: Top of The Big Nasty

Location: 38.542997°, -109.308643°
The La Sal Mountains. ©Kim Phillips

Switchback Descent

Location: 38.570146°, -109.294910°
Navigate a tight right turn. Watch your speed, there are more switchbacks and cattle grates ahead.

Adobe Mesa

Location: 38.605068°, -109.323067°
Pedal past Adobe Mesa's rugged cliffs as you enter Castle Valley. ©Kim Phillips

Descent through Castle Valley

Location: 38.612847°, -109.333534°
Enjoy the exhilarating spin past towering sandstone rock formations and red rock mesas on the descent through Castle Valley. ©Kim Phillips

Junction: UT 128 and Castleton Road

Location: 38.683632°, -109.422516°
Turn right onto the newly chip-sealed UT 128 to start the out-and-back portion of the tour. Take in views of sandstone cliffs, Fisher Towers, and Dewey Bridge as you roll alongside the Colorado River.