WHY IT'S BETTER WITH A GUIDE 

No need to argue with your friends about which way that guy in the bike shop said to go.	The best trails, in the best order, in the best direction.	Greatly increases your chance of making it back to town or camp before the sun sets.	You will waste no valuable riding (or eating) time being lost.
Fabulous food without lifting a finger.	Emily (for example) happily shopped the trip, does the dishes, and keeps the beer cold. Oh yeah, and drives the truck!	Tim works backcountry magic on bicycles.	Guaranteed unstructured leisure time.

 WHAT WE DO 

Each year between March and October we run hundreds of cycling trips throughout the US, and in the winter we go to Belize, Mexico and Costa Rica. On our mountain bike trips we ride some of the best trails in the country while camping in the backcountry.

On our road tours we ride some of the most beautiful pieces of pavement on the planet while staying at unique inns and lodges. Many of our guests return year after year, and to keep them happy we are constantly adding new itineraries.

To keep the whole family riding, we have specially designed trips where everyone can enjoy a bike ride, games at camp and a few nights in a tent.

"The whole entire experience was a pleasure."

Kirstin Wortley October 2004

 THE HISTORY OF WESTERN SPIRIT    ...     

The original days - burb and bar ends.

bear bike elk

"Back in the day", as our oldest guides say, Western Spirit Cycling was founded by a charismatic mad bike rider named Lu Warner. It was 1989, Lu couldn't get enough of riding his bike and decided he should impart some of his joy on the masses. He acquired a Suburban, dubbed "the burb", and a couple of guides and started taking people around the White Rim. Now Lu can be found in some semi-state of retirement in Crested Butte, CO, but his vision was just the beginning.

Just for the record, yes, we still have the burb. It's retired. And those "couple of guides" are our finest Rachel & Johnny - no sign of retirement there!

     ...     THEN THE MID '90s     ...     

Most nights spent here

Ashley Korenblat bought Western Spirit in 1997 and since then has spent many days riding unknown trails (with a headlamp in her backpack, just incase) creating the plethora of trips that Western Spirit now offers. Ashley is a graduate of Dartmouth and Tuck Business School, a former bike racer, former wall street captive and possesser of entrepreneurial spirit. She was president of Merlin during the Titanium mountain bike heyday and served as the IMBA President working to sustain trail availability to everyone. Combine all that with the desire for a Moab lifestyle and an alternative view of a fulfilling career path, and you have the perfect recipe for the owner of a cycling tour company.

Enter Mark. Mark is our charming, wicked-fit, voice of reason, miraculously lured from his ski town tradition to live in the desert. Ashley and Mark got married in 1999 in Moab and now run the company together.

     ...     MODERN TIMES AT WESTERN SPIRIT 

Kip can't help being cute

Anne Clare, Kristi, Ashley, Jane and Rene

Well, actually Kip runs the place...Kip is Ashley & Mark's baby and has his own bike helmet, burley trailer, and a smile.

Our office staff is comprised of mostly gals...and Mark. Thank goodness for Mark. But, don't be disillusioned, we don't always dress like this. Anne Clare can right a J-rig in Cataract Canyon, Kristi has to wait at the top of the hill for all the boys, Ashley makes the best backcountry bacon you'll ever have, Jane specializes in putting the chains on the truck and Rene spends her Thanksgiving weekend in the woods roasting a dutch oven turkey in a teepee.

All of us have been guides (either river guides or mountain bike guides) and are familiar with our trips from personal experience. At any given time when you call you can talk to someone who has been on any trip that you are interested in. That's because we love to be out there too.

 Our Guides 

The Crew, gathered in Moab, Utah

"You have excellent people. As long as you have these types of people guiding for you, your company will be the best."

Geoff Martin, August 2005

 Our Philosophy 

Lizard Head Pass, Telluride CO

"The landscape is tremendous and inspiring, and the ease and grace with which Jane and Brad approached, presented and shared it is something one rarely sees in the world today. My gratitude and respect to them, and thanks to all of you. "

L. Dombek

 IMBA 

Western Spirit Cycling strongly supports the International Mountain Bicycling Association. With the right to ride on public lands comes a responsibility to preserve those lands for future generations. You can hold up your end of the bargain by joining IMBA. Call them at 888-442-IMBA or check out www.imba.com. Not only that, but once you are an IMBA member, your bike flies for free on selected airlines.

 Photo Thanks 

We have nothing but praise and admiration for the incredible photographers who have contributed to this web site. We are constantly awed by their talent. Our profound thanks to:
Anne Keller www.coyote7studios.com
Whit Richardson www.whitrichardson.com
Chris Giles www.chrisgilesphoto.com
Stephen Trimble www.stephentrimble.net
John Humphries, Chris Gardner, Glenn Oakley, Teri Thomas, Mike Lynn, Gary Colet, Pete Nimmer, Alison White, Eric Schutt, Michael Hartung, Greg Frozley, Tim Bateman, Tanya Coffey, Russ Aubertine, Larry Baldwin, Jeff Troutman, Carl Nasr, Scott and Rachel Schmidt, Ashley Sevenoff and Mark Sevenoff.

Permits

Western Spirit Cycling, Inc. operates under special use permits from the USDA Forest Service in the Boise, Coronado, Dixie, Grand Mesa, Gunnison, Kaibab, Manti La Sal (Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts), San Juan, Sawtooth, Sierra Vista, Uncompahgre, Challis, Clearwater, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Caribou-Targhee, Black Hills, Mount Hood, Umpqua, Nantahala, White Mountain, Monongahela, and Pisgah National Forests and by Dakota Prairie Grasslands. As well as under permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management in the San Juan Resource Area; Henry Mountain Field Station; Moab, Arizona Strip and Grand Junction Field Offices; Grand Staircase National Monument; and by Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, Crater Lake and Blue Ridge Parkway National Parks. Western Spirit is a concessionaire in Canyonlands National Park.

USDA Non Discrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Western Spirit Cycling - The Best Cycling Tour Company In The United States