Biking Zion Canyon

We drove from the motel towards Springdale, looking for a place to park in order to start our bike ride. We pulled in to a farm store that was really quite nice, situated in an orchard with a green lawn surrounding the store and several tables and chairs scattered around. I asked if we could park the truck there for the day—sure, no problem, just be out of the parking lot before 7 pm.

We rode about 3 miles into Springdale with light traffic (there weren’t very many visitors in Zion at this time of the year). Immediately after going through the park entrance station we got on a bike/walking trail that bypassed the heaviest traveled portion of park road. The rest of the road has very light traffic—cars are excluded (except those going to the lodge) and the shuttle buses come by only every 7 or 8 minutes.

Riding into the canyon is, of course, slightly uphill. Coming back out was downhill, but we had a slight headwind. It was a great ride, filled with spectacular views. I almost got a kink in my neck looking up at the cliffs.

We intended to change into our street clothes and find a place to eat in Springdale, but our bag of clothes was nowhere to be found. I distinctly remembered bringing it out of our room, so how did I lose it? We managed to find different shirts and our street shoes, so we ate dinner on the patio at the Pizza and Noodle restaurant. Can’t beat the view.

From the deck of the restaurant

Back at the motel, someone had turned in our bag which I had left in the parking lot. I had put it down beside the truck, and then just driven away. Talk about a senior moment!

Links
—Biking Zion Canyon photo gallery