UTAH - get me two!

[Clean39T]

Headed to SLC in a couple of weeks for a work conference and I'm planning to take a road bike and a few extra days to do some exploring..

So - recommendations sought on:

(1) areas to look for lodging that are neither too far from downtown where the convention is nor too far from some decent quick-spin riding;

(2) classic rides that take in what makes the area special - canyons, climbs, scenery, what have you - I'm more into backroads and one- or two-lane ribbons of asphalt into the hills than wide open screamer descents - but also don't want to be so far from others that if I bin-it I won't be found for hours - a mix of lengths would be good since I'll likely aim for a couple of 2-3 hour rides and maybe one 4 hour ride; and

(3) can't miss coffee or foodie stuff of the mid-budget and moderately healthy variety.

I'm not against joining a shop- or club-ride either, just not sure what my schedule will be at this point, so probably best not to be dependent on that.

[Mike V]

Red Iguana for Mexican food. Go to Red Iguana 2 it less crowded and have a bar to sit at for one.

[p nut]

If you’re near downtown, for sure head up Emigration Canyon, up Big Mountain. Nice grade all the way. You can keep going past the Big Mountain summit as far as you’d like. It’s out and back so you can turn around at any time.

I haven’t ridden there in years, as I’m an hour south. But definite must-do.
I’m sure other locals will chime in.

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by p nut

If you’re near downtown, for sure head up Emigration Canyon, up Big Mountain. Nice grade all the way. You can keep going past the Big Mountain summit as far as you’d like. It’s out and back so you can turn around at any time.

I haven’t ridden there in years, as I’m an hour south. But definite must-do.
I’m sure other locals will chime in.

This is what I did a couple years ago when I was out there. I rented a road bike for the week and did this ride 2-3x each time going a little farther past the summit, finally going all the way past East Canyon S.P. There's probably more cars than I'd have preferred, but it was a good ride once you get a bit farther away from SLC.

[jensxpdx]

Sorry, no help with SLC, but excellent Point Break reference, sir!

[edgerat]

Meatball sandwiches, best I ever had…

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by jensxpdx

Sorry, no help with SLC, but excellent Point Break reference, sir!

Via con dios..

[fmradio516]

Dan..... leave the road bike at home and rent a mountain bike.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Dan..... leave the road bike at home and rent a mountain bike.

No SLC experience but this would be my call in southern Utah for sure.

[p nut]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Dan..... leave the road bike at home and rent a mountain bike.

I’d do both, since it seems like there will be time for several rides.

Trails are easily accessible from downtown. There are several access points, all to north of downtown.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KZpzzvnr4ToW11qy9?g_st=ic

I will say though, my favorite trails in the valley is Corner Canyon in Draper. But City Creek trails aren’t bad, either. Bobsled is fun. You can take the trail south to Hogle Zoo as an out and back.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Dan..... leave the road bike at home and rent a mountain bike.

MTB isn’t my style at this point - the road is where it’s at..

[P K]

I live in SLC, there's a ton of riding, sorry if you mentioned already, mileage/effort level? Can prob get you some good options

[exapkib]

Fantastic!

Great rides from SLC no question.

If you're willing to come a little further south, I don't know that there are many rides better than the "Alpine Loop." Especially if you can hit it when the snow is gone but it's still closed to cars.

Shoot me a PM--I'd love to connect while you're out here.

[mattsbeers]

Been riding near SLC many times. Emigration canyon is a nice quick ride. Mill Creek is great and very steep at the top. Both the Cottonwood canyons have been used in the Tour of Utah. They are amazing and brutal. You might want to check and see if there are open at the summits as it might still be ski season

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by mattsbeers

You might want to check and see if there are open at the summits as it might still be ski season

Good point, it's still ski season at Mount Bachelor according to the emails they send me, could be the same in Utah. Excuse me while I pout for a minute.