Pablo2000

Hello all,

I need some advice, I'm planning on a 2 week bike tour this fall. Below is the route I'm not concerned with the distance or elevation mostly its road condition, and direction of travel. My main concern at the moment is the route thru Cottonwood Canyon Rd, and the route to the North Rim of the canyon.

Here is my gear list:

https://lighterpack.com/r/5mev0c

Her is the route:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bryc...474855!1m0!3e1

max5480

As a Utah native, I have been on all those roads, and biked on about half of them. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is gorgeous and you shouldn't have a problem. Riding over Boulder Mountain will definitely be the toughest climb. Riding to Bullfrog marina will be great, albeit washboard dirt roads. I gotta say it though - you should keep going over to Canyonlands. If you like dirt and solitude, you could ride from Hanksville all on dirt roads to the Maze in Canyonlands which overlooks the Confluence of the Green and Colorado (which i think might be one of the least visited areas of any national park). You could ride the White Rim trail, or just cruz through Moab to Arches. The roads are probably a little more crowded in that area but really awesome. If you like hiking then check out the Henry Mountains which were the last mountain range mapped in the United States. Or you could spend a couple cool nights on top of Boulder mountain where there is a lot of good camping. The possibilities in the area are literally limitless and you could spend years down there never hiking the same gully twice.

Suggested reading:
Desert Solitaire by Ed Abbey
A Vagabound for Beauty by Everett Ruess

Have fun and hope to see you out there!

Leebo

Reliable water resupply?

max5480

I would take a 6L dromedary

Pablo2000

Thanks MAX5480,

From Hanksville to The Maze? Sounds interesting, but I could continue thru Island in the Sky back to Moab? I've seen the confluence from the Needles side on the beginning of a 5 day back-country trip. I have also been to Horseshoe Canyon which I believe is The Maze.

Are these roads doable with my road bike?

fietsbob

Carry a Lot of water .. Road bikes tow BoB trailers Nicely.

arctos

What tire size maximum for your Madone? I remember lots of soft, rocky and loose conditions on the Canyonlands area routes mentioned above. I was glad i used 700x47 tires.

Pablo2000

700x28 which should be good for the established route I showed you? Did you do these on a mountain bike?In particular have you biked the Cottonwood Canyon rd?

max5480

28s will not be wide enough for the Burr Trail road. I would definitely not do that. I had 2.25" Schwalbe big apples when I did it and wouldn't go less than 1.75" in a pinch. Ideally 2" or fatter. Especially not on a Madone. Sorry to burst your bubble.

arctos

Rode a BG RNR* (think Monster Cross) which works well on all but the roughest terrain but with higher tire pressures rides very well on pavement. Did not go along Cottonwood Cyn. road but current AAA map indicates graded dirt for the road.

After Long Canyon along the Burr Trail to Bullfrog Ferry i had some very soft sand for a mile or two. Even the pavement is rough there and eats up tires under loaded riding. I then took ferry across to pavement on 276 then heading through Canyonlands on the way to Crested Butte.

I would choose a different bike with wider tires than your 28mm max on your Madone to allow more freedom of route choice. Have a great ride through some lovely country.

*Bruce Gordon RockNRoad w/700x47 tires

Pablo2000

Bruce,

I don't have any bike options the road bike is the plan. Since you have done that road to the ferry is it doable on the Madone with 28's? I don't mind pushing several miles thru sand if the majority of it is doable with my Schwalbe Marathons.

Has anyone done Cottonwood Canyon rd lately?

Pablo2000

Max,

Thanks for the "local" advice, any thoughts on revising the route to include a better scenic option if in fact the Burr Trail is not an option?

Don't let the road bike fool ya, I'm up for any challenge!

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bryc...474855!1m0!3e1

arctos

I do not know surface conditions today on Long Canyon the and Burr Trail but I have been surprised each time I have gone through there. Sometimes in a good way and others not so nice. Long ago on my second visit I found that the Burr Trail had been mostly paved. The bad part was the thin layer was quickly destroyed by bad weather, flooding and increased traffic the next time. Long Canyon always has debris as it is a wide slot canyon draining higher ground. Each subsequent crossing has been different and conditions were unpredictable.

The Burr Trail switchbacks crossing the Waterpocket Fold is the main problem due to sandy conditions over 3 miles then 8-10 miles of graded dirt and some gravel before you reach pavement and then over 18 miles to Bullfrog.

I have not been through there for five years. My knowledge is ancient for your specific purposes. An e-mail to the rangers at Escalante or Boulder or Capitol Reef NP may provide the best current conditions information.