It’s All About the Bike

When you spend time in Park City it won’t be long before you discover that for many people, visitors as well as locals, it’s all about the bike. With over 450 miles of trails for recreation and bike lanes, bike racks on free buses and bike share for transportation around town, it’s easy and fun to get out of your car, onto a bike and get around.

It’s hard not to sound hyperbolic when one talks about mountain biking trails in Park City. Indeed, according to the International Mountain Biking Association, Park City is the world’s first Gold Level Ride Center. The IMBA designation recognizes mountain biking communities that offer something for every level of rider and a wide variety of ways to have fun off the bike, too. It’s true – from anywhere in town you’re just a few steps/pedal strokes away from miles and miles of every type of trail, from the level and paved Rail Trail to steep and challenging single track. Mountain Trails Foundation has an interactive trail map to help you get your bearings and get rolling.

Both resorts in town offer lift-served mountain biking – take your bike up the lift and ride the trails down. Go to Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village for lift schedules and pass rates. Go to Deer Valley Resort to see their lift schedules and rates, and check out their lessons, Twilight Series and new this season, their Afternoon Guided E-Bike Tours.

In addition to great mountain biking options, bikes are a just a great way to be out and about in town. How about a bike date to a free concert on a warm evening? If you’re not feeling like pedaling the whole way under your own power, Park City’s free buses have racks, or, try out the E-Bikes with Summit Bike Share. The pedal-assist bikes make getting to the top of Main considerably easier.

If you’re looking for a group to ride with, White Pine Touring has some free mountain biking events, and some terrific guided road biking tours. They offer rentals, lessons and tuning, basically everything you need to get you and your bike trail or road ready.

We can’t talk about bikes in Park City without bringing up America’s Toughest Stage Race – Tour of Utah. This year’s edition of the race starts on Monday, August 12 with an intense Prologue in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It wraps up with two grueling stages in Park City. Stage 5 on Saturday, August 17 starts and finishes in Canyons Village and the iconic final Stage 6 on Sunday, August 18 starts and finishes on Park City’s historic Main Street. It’s free to watch some of the best professional road cyclists in the world all along the routes, and admission is free to the finish line expos which feature big screens and live commentators, kids’ activities, food and drink, music and lots of fun. If you’re inclined to ride like a pro, it’s not too late to sign up for the Tour of Utah Ultimate Challenge – ride the same 94 mile course as the pros, climbing over 8,000 feet (there’s a shorter 44 mile option as well). Regardless of whether you’re spectating or riding, Tour of Utah is likely to turn you into a Super Fan, if you aren’t already.

Park City Lodging and JANS make it easy to indulge your desire to hop on a bike and not just visit Park City, but live Park City. Take advantage of the Special Offer: Save 20% on Lodging and Bike Rentals when you book using the discount code (terms and conditions apply).