Outerbike Moab is a cross between a bike festival and a trade show where consumers can test ride hundreds of different mountain bikes over the course of a weekend.
There will be nearly 1,000 different bikes from which participants can sample at the sixth annual Outerbike Moab, Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4.
“What we see is a lot of people ride the bike their friends ride – which may or may not be the best bike for them,” said Ashley Korenblat, who co-founded Outerbike along with her husband Mark Sevenoff.
“We’re focused on one thing – the consumer getting to ride the bike. No matter what level of rider you are, it’s important to get the right bike for you.”
Korenblat and Sevenoff own the Moab-based bike touring company, Western Spirit Cycling. The business is celebrating its 25th year of leading trips across the United States. Western Spirit Cycling will be giving away “25th anniversary swag” at its booth during Outerback, Sevenoff said.
More than 50 bike manufacturers from across the nation, as well as international bike vendors, will be in Moab with bikes ranging in value from $1,000 to $10,000. Participants can demo bikes throughout the weekend by riding laps at the Bar M Trailhead. Events like Outerbike are important now that companies are selling more bikes online without the opportunity to ride the bike prior to purchase, Sevenoff said.
“People can test one (at Outerbike) and then go across the aisle and try the competitor’s model,” Sevenoff said.
The $175 event package includes opportunities to test ride bikes Friday, Saturday and Sunday; shuttles to various trailheads; lunches; and beer and a party on Saturday night. For a smaller fee, people can participate in festivities, look at bikes and talk to manufacturers, but not demo the bikes. People can also just sign up for individual shuttled bike rides offered throughout the weekend, or the beginning skills clinic on Thursday.
A shuttle bus will leave River Canyon Lodge parking lot, 71 W. 200 North, taking people and bikes to various trailheads for rides scheduled Thursday through Sunday.
Outerbike Moab has been so successful, Sevenoff said, that in 2015, two additional Outerbike events were added – one in Moab during the spring, and a summer event in Whistler, British Columbia. The annual event draws people from all over the country.
Korenblat suggests that people who want to experience Moab’s “world class” trails, come on Thursday, when various shuttled trips will be available. Demo bikes will not be available until Friday, however, so participants might consider bringing their own bike or renting one from one of Moab’s bike shops, she said.
At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, a shuttle is offered for the Whole Enchilada – a ride geared toward expert riders that starts high in the La Sal Mountains, and ends at the Colorado River. Intermediate rides on other trails will also be available, as well as a beginner’s skills clinic at 9 a.m.
Vendor Scot Nicol, owner of Ibis Cycles in Santa Cruz, California, has attended Outerback Moab each year since it started.
“It’s our best demo event of the year,” Nicol said. “We do know we sell a lot of bikes because of Outerbike, We hear from customers they rode our bike at Outerbike.
“It’s a well-run event. Test rides sells bikes.”
Outerbike attendees can test-ride nearly 1,000 different models at three-day event
We’re focused on one thing – the consumer getting to ride the bike. No matter what level of rider you are, it’s important to get the right bike for you.
For more information, or to register for Outerbike Moab, visit www.outerbike.com.
