Kristen Legan and a group of journalists take the scenic route to Interbike in Las Vegas, riding a three-day gravel route through Utah.
Our favorite stretch of the ride was a singletrack section through aspen trees that are well into their winter transformation from green to gold to red. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
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We took the long way to Interbike this year. Instead of hopping on the one-hour flight from Denver to Vegas, we set out on a three-day adventure called the Beehive Ride through Utah’s rugged backcountry terrain. Starting in Grand Junction, Colorado, our group of journalists and cycling industry members pedaled our way across remote sections of Utah on forgotten — or never really found — gravel and dirt roads. We chased each other up twisty, switchback climbs, flew down bumpy mountain descents, hit some singletrack at 9,000 feet in elevation, and took the occasional paved road to connect the lesser-traveled sections.
The rugged conditions and mixed terrain provided a perfect opportunity to test some new gravel-inspired products from the likes of Clement, Eddy Merckx Cycles, Bont Cycling, and more. But most of all, the ride was a refreshing way to get out on the road and breathe in Utah’s endless sandstone views as we traveled west to the spectacle that is Las Vegas.
We set out on a three-day adventure ride across Utah on our way to Interbike this year. Photo: Meg McMahon
We put the new Eddy Merckx Cycles Strasbourg71 carbon gravel bike to the test on Utah’s challenging dirt and gravel roads. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
The ride started in Grand Junction, Colorado at the Colorado National Monument and ended at Zion National Monument in Utah. Photo: Meg McMahon
Clearly, no fun was had along the way. Photo: Meg McMahon
Utah’s rugged terrain varies greatly across the state. We rode across sandy deserts, through sandstone canyons, and even passed some aspen-lined mountain lakes along the way. Photo: Meg McMahon
All good gravel rides should have a least one creek crossing. Here, we forded the Dolores River. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Day two of the Beehive ride started with a long stretch of road that alternated between loose, sandy sections and bone-rattling washboard. Photo: Meg McMahon
We pushed the limits with each steep, rocky descent, and we sometimes paid the price. Clement’s MSO tubeless tires were impressive, however, leaving us with only a few flats across the three days of aggressive riding. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Our favorite stretch of the ride was a singletrack section through aspen trees that are well into their winter transformation from green to gold to red. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Washboard. Washboard. Washboard. Photo: Meg McMahon
Early morning transfers called for taco stand breakfasts. Green River’s Tacos Las Pasadita was hard to beat. Photo: Meg McMahon
Retired pro cyclist and cyclocross stud Meredith Miller put the hurt on the group each day. Photo: Meg McMahon
Rocky sandstone canyons lined the scenic Burr Trail Road. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Every way you turn there was an epic view to take in. Photo: Meg McMahon
Loose and twisty descents kept us on our toes. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
The Strasbourg71 gravel bike gets its name from the 1971 Tour de France where Eddy Merckx won the first stage in Strasbourg and then a few weeks later rode into Paris wearing the yellow jersey. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Clement launched its first set of wheels at the Beehive Ride. The aluminum Ushuaia wheels were impressively resilient as we hit rim several times on the rocky descents. Photo: Meg McMahon
The twisty Burr Trail Switchbacks were a highlight of the ride. Photo: Meg McMahon
Hot, dusty, dry roads. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
While much of the ride was on mixed gravel and dirt terrain, we did hit some pavement sections as well. The Clement MSO tires rode well even on the smooth roads. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
The Strasbourg71 frame is designed to soak up road vibrations while providing stiffness for a responsive ride. We were impressed by this unassuming gravel bike. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
Our crew of journalists, cycling industry folks, and Western Spirit guides. Photo: Meg McMahon
Day three of the Beehive Ride took us through Zion National Park. Yes, we shuttled the tunnel like all cyclists must, but the views and perfect road were well worth it. Photo: Meg McMahon
Transitioning from Zion to Vegas now … Until next year. Photo: Kristen Legan | VeloNews.com
