Every once in a while, we put a trip on the calendar, thinking, this could be really special.
Last October 2025, Utah went from “really special” to an instant hit. The trip was a long time in the making. Years ago, Chef Drew and Ian Mallams did the initial reconnaissance trip and were blown away. Unfortunately, the Utah trip was put on the back burner, and it’s bittersweet to finally offer it as our newest destination.
We ran the inaugural Cycling House Utah trip this past fall, and no exaggeration, it delivered on every single level: riding, scenery, vibe, weather, food, and that hard-to-define feeling that everyone has at dinner when they realize they’re on something unique.
October in Utah is magic
If you’ve never been to Utah in the fall, put it on your list. Then move it to the top, the fall colors against the red rock background rocked our world!
Cool mornings. Crisp air. You’re climbing through aspens that are glowing yellow, then descending into wide-open canyon country where the earth looks like it’s been painted by hand.
It’s the kind of riding where you want to shift down and look around. That’s a common saying from our guides on many spectacular destinations, and Utah certainly warrants that type of mindset.
Highway 12. One of the best roads in America.
We spend time on Utah Scenic Byway 12, which is widely considered one of the most scenic highways in the United States. And honestly, that reputation held up; it should be on your bucket list.
Highway 12 connects Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef and runs straight through the heart of southern Utah’s most dramatic terrain. Red rock, slickrock domes, forested climbs, open vistas, and long sightlines that make you feel small in the best possible way. It’s an incredible road to drive, and an even better one to ride.
A ride for nature lovers
One of the absolute highlights of the trip, and one of the most memorable rides we’ve ever done anywhere, was riding through Pando Aspen Grove. The night before we started our journey on scenic Highway 12, one of our guests let us know it’s been her dream to ride through the Pando Aspens for the past 40 years.
Pando is the largest aspen grove in the world, but that barely scratches the surface. What makes it wild is that it’s actually one single living organism. Every tree you see is genetically identical, connected by the same root system. Scientists estimate it weighs over 13 million pounds, making it one of the heaviest living things on Earth, and that its root system is thousands of years old.
In October, Pando is unreal. Bright gold leaves, tall white trunks, and one of the most spectacular backdrops you could dream up. It’s hard to explain how cool it is to ride your bike through something like that. Our first big ride quickly stoked the fire for what lay ahead on the inaugural Utah trip.
The Burr Trail. A sleeper hit.
If Pando was the emotional high point, the Burr Trail Road was the ride people could not stop talking about.
The Burr Trail is one of those roads that feels like it was designed specifically for bikes. Smooth pavement, almost no traffic, and a route that takes you from high desert down into a dramatic canyon, and Capitol Reef is the backdrop as we pedal East. The scenery changes constantly, and the road just keeps flowing.
It’s remote in the best way. Long stretches where it’s just the group, the road, and the landscape. For a lot of folks, this was the “I can’t believe this exists” moment of the trip. We added a short gravel section that brings you to the infamous switchback overlook.
The Lodging
The lodging on this trip is intentional and location-driven. We spend one night at the iconic Capitol Reef Resort, putting us right at the doorstep of Capitol Reef National Park and its quiet, scenic roads. From there, we settle in for two nights at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch, a rider favorite. It’s peaceful, comfortable, and perfectly placed for riding Highway 12, the Burr Trail, and the high country around Boulder Mountain. We then spend one night at the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge, allowing us to ride Bryce Canyon with early access and minimal traffic. The trip finishes with two nights at a private Airbnb just outside Zion National Park, giving us space to relax, regroup, and soak in the final rides surrounded by towering canyon walls. Each stop is chosen to minimize transfers, maximize ride time, and create evenings that feel as memorable as the days on the bike.
The Utah Highlight Reel
By the end of the first trip, it was obvious. Utah wasn’t a “let’s try this once” kind of destination.
It checked every Cycling House box:
- Incredible fall riding conditions
- Quiet, high-quality roads
- Landscapes that stop you mid-ride
- Routes like Pando, the Burr Trail, and Highway 12 that feel genuinely world-class
- That shared “we’re lucky to be here” energy
People kept saying the same thing all week. “I had no idea Utah would be like this.” That’s our favorite kind of trip.
The post The All New Cycling House Utah appeared first on Cycling House.
