Tag: The Backcountry Kitchen
Whitewater rafting is a thrilling, fun, and unique way to get outside and connect with friends and loved ones. When we think of rafting, I think most of us picture big rapids and major adrenaline rushes. While there are plenty of ways to up-level your rafting experience, there are also plenty of opportunities for [...]
Aspen is a legendary, Rocky Mountain town, famous for its skiing, hiking, art, and distinct culture. But have you heard about Telluride, it’s slightly more secluded, just as epic cousin? Here are a few reasons why we think Telluride is the new Aspen. Similar History The two cities have similar origins. Both were first inhabited by [...]
Report details visitor spending, job support According to a Department of the Interior (DOI) press release sent out Thursday, visitors to national parks contributed $40 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 329,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and recreation. The annual National Park Service report showed that, in 2018, more than 318 million [...]
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just need to step away from my regularly scheduled programming to get some perspective. My life is busy and filled with family, work, and all kinds of responsibilities. It can be a challenge to keep up, and even some of the things that I love can start [...]
Join Western Spirit on this incredible five-day & four-night guided bike ride through a stunning mix of mountains and desert. Beginning in the quintessential alpine setting of Telluride, Colorado we will ride up to the Uncompahgre Plateau with views of the San Miguel and La Sal mountain ranges.
Location: Moab, UT, USA
Duration: 5-Days
Ability: Advanced
Prime Season: June / August - September
Price: $1,645 ppI have seen bike love in many forms. When I was 27, I became the president of a small company called Merlin. I’d just graduated from business school and put everything I learned to work. I had to order titanium in the same quantities as Boeing, six months in advance. To do this I [...]
If you’re a long-time friend of Western Spirit, you might have noticed our blog section has been a little… quiet. Maybe a bit like that perfectly maintained singletrack just waiting for tire marks.
With Spring Outerbike right around the corner we thought we’d share a little Outerbike history. Outerbike is a consumer demo event dedicated to helping riders pick their next bike. It was founded by Western Spirit owners Ashely Korenblat & Mark Sevenoff of Moab, Utah. With changes in sales channels and continual improvements in design [...]
In case you haven’t heard, this cycling thing is pretty good for you. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, spending some good time spinning on two wheels is sure to improve your quality of life. Here’s how: Fresh Air Getting outside is a surefire way to keep your system functioning optimally. Fresh air in your [...]
Looking for something a little different to do with your family this summer? How about investing some time and energy into developing a skill that you can all enjoy together? Learning and having adventures together are guaranteed to make meaningful memories with your loved ones—and there are usually plenty of laughs along the way. [...]
Catching yourself daydreaming about beautiful sunny weather and thinking about heading out on a bike trip later this year?
The Grand Canyon is inarguably one of the most overwhelmingly beautiful places in the United States. Its magnitude, color palate, wildlife, and history have fascinated countless visitors for hundreds of years. Rainbow Rim The North Rim of the canyon is a higher elevation than the South Rim, and provides our favorite views. The Rainbow [...]
Cyclist in Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument President Trump's Executive Order on the Antiquities Act calls for a review of the national monuments designated over the last 20 years. As an outdoor business owner, I have had a front row seat for many of these monument designations and have seen the on the [...]
We hope this finds you in good health during this very challenging time for our world. Although our primary focus is on the health and wellbeing of our staff and communities, we are still planning for and designing backcountry bike trips on our public lands.
Why you need to know about public land: As mountain bikers, we are dependent on public lands. Through my career in bike manufacturing, racing, and as an outfitter I have had the opportunity to ride on trails of every description on public lands of every type. Today there are increasing pressures on our public lands from [...]
Telluride, Colorado is a town like no other, surrounded by peak after peak of amazing mountains with endless terrain to explore. Hiking is surely the most popular activity in the summer, and there’s plenty of great cycling as well. Here’s what you need to know about hiking in Telluride. Allow for Plenty of Time There [...]
Gearing up for your first mountain biking adventure? Here are few tips from those of us who have been around the block a few times. You Can Bring or Rent Camping Gear If you are a seasoned and equipped camper, feel free to bring your own gear on your Western Spirit trip. If not, we’re happy to [...]
Starting in mid-March, just in time for the Western Spirit season to kick off, we introduced our Ask a Guide Facebook Series. The goal of this series is to answer the questions YOU have about what a Western Spirit Guided Cycling trip entails. Each episode features a different topic with different Western Spirit staff [...]
Want to know what’s waiting for you at the end of the trail? Here are the four legendary staples that have reached “must-have” status on our trips
As a 1st time rider with Western Spirit, I realized I didn't need to be nervous.
As you get the kids ready for school and catch up on laundry from summer adventures, it’s a great time to start planning next summer’s activities! If your family is anything like mine, you have the best time when you’re active together. Vacations scheduled around physical activities can be challenging to [...]
We all love to think it will never rain on our vacation, but we know the reality. We often say “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices!”
View of Washer Woman formation on the White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah. There are very few established mountain bike routes that are as well known as the White Rim. For good reason, this iconic ride has been in the hearts and minds of mountain bikers for decades. But why? [...]
The era of experience is alive and well. More and more people are devoting their time and resources toward meaningful experiences versus owning more physical stuff. Look no further than your social media community, and most likely, you will witness most engagements focused on experiences. People are interested in pushing their boundaries by doing [...]
Every bike needs love every now and again. So I wanted to fill you in on a few things you can do to keep you and your bike happy and running smoothly. Before every ride. 1 - Check your tires - Checking the pressure in your tires is something that you should do before every ride. [...]
So, you may think the most significant, most rewarding part of being a mountain bike guide is getting paid to ride bikes. While that is pretty awesome, in my opinion, the most fulfilling part of the job by far is helping others enjoy the sport. Guiding is a 24/7, all hands [...]
E-bikes are no longer just a trend—they are a revolution in accessibility. More and more of our guests are choosing the pedal-assist advantage, prompting us to rapidly expand our fleet and introduce dedicated E-Bike Ready itineraries. Here is everything you need to know about E-bikes on a Western Spirit trip.
One of the most-asked questions from people about going on a Western Spirit trip is what to bring. So, I sat down for a few minutes to write down some tips. These come from my personal experience guiding trips. They are helpful for me and hopefully helpful for you also!
It's no secret that traveling with people can come with challenges. Leaving the comforts of home often brings out the best in people—and can also bring to light some less desirable traits. If you've taken trips with groups, you've probably learned lessons of your own, but here are some things we've learned over the years that might [...]
Skyline Traverse is the perfect way to experience the highlands of Central Utah.
Location: Moab, UT, USA
Duration: 4-Days
Ability: Intermediate/Advanced
Prime Season: June & August - September
Price: $1,345 ppIt's June and we're transitioning from the desert to the high country. But first our annual guide meeting here in Moab, Utah.
There is no doubt that, whether we like it or not, the oil and natural gas industry plays a big part in our day-to-day lives.
When you travel with your family, it’s nice to have access to a variety of activities that allow you to take advantage of all that a destination has to offer—without too much research or mid-trip decision-making. Here are our three favorite resorts to take our family—and then a fun idea to [...]
Good gear gets you there, but good guides make the trip. As we wrap up another season in the dirt, let's talk about the unspoken rule of the desert: The Guide Tip. From industry standards to the 'why' behind the 'how much,' we’re pulling back the curtain on backcountry etiquette.
Discover the Hidden Soul of Zion, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon on an Immersive Western Spirit Journey.
We have a couple of great trips involving the amazing town of Telluride, Colorado: Telluride to Durango and Telluride to Moab. What makes this town such a favorite among road and mountain bikers, travelers, socializers, and artists? Among other things, the views. Here are some of our favorites. Mt. Sneffels The view of the Mt. [...]
Join us on a fun-filled, all-inclusive, family vacation without all the planning. All you need to do is show up, jump on a bike, and pedal away with us into the sunset.
If you’re a long-time friend of Western Spirit, you might have noticed our blog section has been a little… quiet. Maybe a bit like that perfectly maintained singletrack just waiting for tire marks.
Important Public Land Designations: Wilderness and National Monuments In Part 1 of our public land series we clarified the three major federal land managers: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. All three of these land management agencies manage different types of lands within their jurisdictions. In the forest and on [...]
People always ask us how far in advance they should plan their biking trip. Here's some insight from our years of experience to help you decide. When You Get Back From a Great Ride After a good, hard training ride, we recommend a little cool-down stretch. Maybe you’ve got a whole post-ride ritual with water, [...]
The following blog post is from a Guest on a trip. We wanted to feature it as it answers a few questions that we get quite a bit. We hope you enjoy. My family is very choosey about vacations. As our three boys get older, it is harder and harder to find a time [...]
If you’re a long-time friend of Western Spirit, you might have noticed our blog section has been a little… quiet. Maybe a bit like that perfectly maintained singletrack just waiting for tire marks.
Exposing young kids and teens to our national parks, national forests, and to the wilderness is extremely beneficial.
Telluride and Moab are two of the most charming destinations in the West. Destinations for adventurers, historians, and families alike, you’ve likely heard of them. Western Spirit’s ride from Telluride to Moab is one of our favorites. Here are five things to know before you go. This is the perfect first off-road adventure This ride is challenging, but not [...]
Getting away with your family is a great way to make memories, celebrate different parts of your kids’ lives, and have new experiences together. But let’s not forget that getting the family away together can be a big job! Here are five trips where you’ll have a little support with logistics, making it a [...]
Good gear gets you there, but good guides make the trip. As we wrap up another season in the dirt, let's talk about the unspoken rule of the desert: The Guide Tip. From industry standards to the 'why' behind the 'how much,' we’re pulling back the curtain on backcountry etiquette.
