It’s all about the bikes

Cyclists dream of the opportunity to take the newest high-tech bikes out for a ride or follow the lead of an expert guide through Moab’s world-class terrain. The popular Outerbike expo not only fulfills that dream, but packages it into a five-day event complete with shuttles, guides, clinics, films, food and parties – all of which combine for an exhilarating cycling experience in one of the most spectacular biking sites in North America.

From Wednesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 5, the fifth annual Outerbike event will take place, attracting approximately 1,000 mountain-bike enthusiasts looking for memorable rides and exciting new ways to test their biking mettle.

The event kicks off with Outerbike Guides and Clinics on the Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 1 and 2. Riders can sign up for skills clinics with local experts, or join guided rides of local trails, including Porcupine Rim, the Whole Enchilada and the Intrepid Trails. Rides and clinics cater to riders at all skill levels.

“They go out and do rides for all ability levels,” said T.J. Cowern, service manger at Poison Spider Bicycles. “So whether you are newbie just getting your feet wet or a veteran, you can go out with a top-level guide that can show the way.”

Once riders have had the opportunity to hone their skills and familiarize themselves with the trails, the Outerbike Demo Days will take place Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5, providing the opportunity for everyone to test out next year’s bikes. Participants will experience the proverbial kid-in-a-candy-store feeling, as the world’s best bike manufacturers display next year’s mountain-bike innovations and allow riders to take demo models for a spin along 20 miles of connected loops that range from fun and easy, to technical and gnarly.

“There are not very many places in the country or the world like Moab,” event coordinator Ashley Korenblat said. “The stacked loop trail system at the Bar M, the large flat parking area, and the nearby world-class trails provide an incredible place to test bikes. And with bike technology changing so quickly, consumers want to know exactly how a bike rides before they buy it.”

It’s as simple as handing over your pedals and answering a few brief questions regarding ride preferences. A mechanic then selects a bike tailored for your needs and your new demo is ready to ride. When you’ve had fun on one demo ride, you may return the bike and try others; there are plenty of trails and bikes to keep any cyclist busy the whole weekend.

The rides include the “Brand Trails” network located adjacent to the event site. In addition, riders will also have the opportunity to take shuttles to some of the more famous trails in the area, as well as a range of newer trails, from Captain Ahab to the Magnificent Seven to the North Klondike trails. Road bikes will also be available for rides along the paved bike path leading to two national parks.

“It is a great event because it gets a lot of consumers on a bunch of different dream bikes that they might not get to try out before buying,” Cowern said. “It gets people out on new high-end bikes in one of the most epic places to ride, so they are getting a two-for in that sense.”

Outerbike has seen steady growth over the years. The first event hosted 400 attendees in 2010, and this year, Outerbike will have more than doubled the initial number of exhibitors and the number of bikes. Representing a melting pot of riders, attendees travel from almost every state as well as 12 countries across the world to partake in the mountain biking revelry, Korenblat said.

New this year to the event is the 5 Point Festival, which will include a special Outerbike selection of films for two nights at Moab’s Star Hall. Special guest Rebecca Rusch is making Outerbike the final stop on her “Gold Rusch Tour,” leading rides and clinics for women. Kelty, Salsa and Thule are having “Camping and Biking” clinics, and a party—sponsored by SRAM MTB—will feature the heavy metal mariachi band, Metalachi, with cocktails featuring Utah distilled gin from Beehive Distillery.

“For the price, you get two days of demo, classes, shuttles, foods, activities,” Cowern said. “Where else would you get that value?”

In 2015, Outerbike will expand to three times per year by including an event in Whistler, British Columbia, June 4-7.

“The traditional annual bike industry show in Vegas, Interbike, is changing,” Korenblat said. “Manufacturers no longer wait to the end of the year to update models. New models are introduced year-round and the public wants to see, touch, and ride the new bikes ASAP, making Moab even more important. For these reasons, we are adding additional Outerbike dates.”

Western Spirit Cycling, the organization behind Outerbike, runs multi-day road- and mountain-bike tours on public lands throughout the U.S. in addition to custom events, including corporate retreats, product launches and press trips.

In all, the $160 registration fee buys lunches, shuttled rides, prizes, movies, parties and beer. For more information, email outerbike@westernspirit.com or call 800-845-2453.

Outerbike expo allows cyclists to try the newest and best that mountain biking has to offer.

There are not very many places in the country or the world like Moab. The stacked loop trail system at the Bar M, the large flat parking area, and the nearby world-class trails provide an incredible place to test bikes. And with bike technology changing so quickly, consumers want to know exactly how a bike rides before they buy it.

What: Outerbike, a five-day event where cycling enthusiasts test next year’s bike models on Moab’s world-class trails

When: Wednesday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 5

Where: Full event schedule and meeting locations are available at www.outerbike.com/schedule.html