Welcome to Western Spirit Cycling

ProfileEach 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.

Western Spirit is Chatting!

Posted by biking on May 15 2008 | Uncategorized

Western Spirit has a new feature on the site - live chat!   We know that booking a trip is an important and emotional decision, and "talking" to someone will help you to make the right decision.  Of course, we welcome phone calls, but a live chat might save you a few nickels and minutes on your cell phone.

You can see the icon for our live chat on our home page, and it will be on most of our other pages soon!

We hope that you can join us on one of our super fun and exciting bike trips.  We hope to hear from you soon!

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Europeans Biking In Moab

Posted by biking on May 13 2008 | Uncategorized

We all know that the local US economy is….well, shaky at best.  We have all heard that people in the US are tightening their belts, and will probably stay closer to home this summer to save some cash.  We still think that it is super important to leave your worries behind and have some fun regardless, and Western Spirit has some great trips this summer that don’t require a lot of gas - just leg power and a desire to have a blast.

Another thing that is happening is that Europeans are taking advantage of the weaker US dollar and coming over in higher numbers to vacation in the states!  Many Europeans are enamored with the Western United States, and rightfully so. We are too!  We hope that any of our German, French, or English friends will add some diversity to some of our summer trips.  Just go to our bike trips page to pick a trip that is right for you.

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Mountain Biking in North Dakota?

Posted by biking on Apr 23 2007 | Uncategorized

Biking in North Dakota?

You might not think about North Dakota when pondering your next travel adventure, but this northern state has some of the best singletrack riding out there! This June or September, why not join Western Spirit Cycling for our classic Maah Daah Hey Mountain Bike Tour?

The trip is geared towards riders who have mastered singletrack riding, so if you are just starting out, you might want to try one of our less challenging (but incredibly fun) bike trips.

The Maah Daah Hey trail connects the northern and southern units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The trail takes us across the grasslands on top of the mesas and then dips and dives in and out of the canyons.

We’d love to tell you more about this 5-day bike trip! Please call Western Spirit Cycling at 800-845-2453 for booking and trip information!

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Why are some of us willing to spend $975 for a WSC trip?

Posted by biking on Mar 23 2007 | Uncategorized

Why are some of us willing to spend $975 for a WSC trip?

Expert guiding and knowledge of the trails (i.e., no time wasted checking the maps every 15 minutes or getting lost). The adjectives that I hear most about these areas are “awesome,” “very remote,” and “the real deal.” I do not want to waste my time trying to find the singletrack that these guys are intimately familiar with. Delicious food, which is organized, purchased and deftly prepared by our guides. Last year, as we rolled into camp at the end of the day, our caring guides prepared appetizers and negotiated the best location for the kegs while we were free to set up our tents and swim, hang out, hike, nap, and otherwise enjoy ourselves.The Mothership, a monster of a truck which meets us at the end of the day with our equipment and supplies, thereby freeing us up to carry only what we need during the day.

Emergency bike repair and replacement backup, which proved vital last year when Bob’s frame cracked. In addition, Western Spirit brought enough tools, maintenance supplies and equipment to enable Mike B. to meticulously (and obsessively?) clean the mud and gunk from his drive train daily.

Riding in a group of relaxed friends who are fit, advanced riders, who are passionate about singletrack, who are comfortable in the backcountry, who are conscious of backcountry etiquette and safety, and who laugh and have fun even when the rain is pouring.

–Bruce Epstein, 3rd Western Spirit Trip

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Umpqua River Trail Oregon

Posted by biking on Feb 19 2007 | Uncategorized

One of our favorite bike trips is the Umpqua River Trail in beautiful Oregon! This is a five-day, intermediate/advanced bike trip in southern Oregon and was the winner of Outside Magazine’s 2005 Bike Trip of the Year. What better endorsement could we ask for?

Located in the remote backcountry river gorge of the Umpqua River the trip is truly spectacular. We recently had one of our awesome guides - Sue Weis - write about her perspective on the Umpqua River bike trip.
An excerpt from her writing:

How awesome is the name “Dread and Terror?” As a guide, bringing guests onto the trail, you sometimes have to reassure people that the ride isn’t as daunting as it may sound!  However, doesn’t “Dread and Terror” demand one’s respect?!  As it should, being a narrow, steep trail with switchbacks, slick bridge crossings and exposure!  The “Panther” and “Deer Leap” segments always give me hope that I will luckily spy just such creatures as I’m pedaling along.  Visions of Bambi and friends leaping over my head make me smile.  Even the image of a panther leaping over my head is enticing, as long as he keeps right on leaping after Bambi and stays on course!

To find out more about the Umpqua River Trail, or to book this trip, please call 1-800-845-2453.

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The Kokopelli Trail

Posted by biking on Feb 19 2007 | Uncategorized

With each trip that we take, we usually get some great photos from our guides and clients. We just added some great photos of our Kokopelli’s Trail bike trip here.

Kokopelli’s Trail is one of the finest of several point-to-point trips that finishes in Moab.

Wouldn’t that be great if you could join us on one of our spectacular bike trips. What would be even better is if you could bring your camera and your stellar photographic skills so we can add even more great photos to our site!
These photos were taken by Chris Giles Photo LLC.

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What’s New at Western Spirit Cycling

Posted by biking on Jan 17 2007 | Uncategorized

What’s New at Western Spirit Cycling

The office staff is growing, and I don’t mean just that cute little blondie Kip (he’s such a precocious little talker, it’s hard to believe he’s not even two years old yet)!  We have more bodies and computers than ever before.  As Western Spirit Cycling grows and expands into new territories, the need to add more people-power in the office is inevitable.  Besides our ever-present owners, sales manager, logistics manager, and accountant, we have created a new web mistress position and have pulled in a few guides from the trails to help in the sales department.

After we played a bit of office “Musical Chairs,” the dust settled and three new workstations were added.  Ashley, Anne Clare and Rene all kept their respective office spaces.    Kip, of course, insisted on keeping his office space, which includes every square inch of our headquarters.  Sheri booted Mark out of his cubicle and he now has a room with a view.  He gives us full reports on all the bikers who head up to the Slickrock Bike Trail or are being shuttled to the Porcupine Rim Trail.  Our new Trip Manager and Web Mistress is Jennifer.  She has plans to kick our web page up a few notches, so be sure to check in every now and then for updates, including new trip and profile maps! 3D flyovers, anyone?  When they aren’t out on the trails leading trips, Jess, Melissa and Sue will be in the office helping folks plan their next cycling adventure. We expect their “guiding instincts” will help match guests with trips that will make their excursions absolutely rockin’.

As part of our growth, Western Spirit has added several new trips to its cycling agenda.  If you are looking for a “must-do” mountain bike experience, then you might want to check out our brand-new Whistler and the Chilcotins trip.  Not only do we ride some sweet trails in the Chicoltin Mountains but we also take a floatplane to one of the trailheads!  We finish the week with a couple of days at the well-known Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Bike Park.  You will have an opportunity to gear up for some expert downhill instruction and ride trails that the pros ride.  In Colorado, we now offer a High Passes trip in the stunning San Juan Mountains.  This trip will literally take your breath away as you ride at high altitude and view one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the lower 48.

If an advanced road trip is your gig, then the Northwest Volcanoes might fit your bill.  This trip takes us beneath Mount St. Helen, Mount Ranier, Mount Adam and Mount Hood while you log anywhere between 35 and 65 miles per day.  This tour is only available during two weeks in August, so clear your calendars!

For parents and kids there are now two new opportunities: one in Idaho, the other in Utah.  For moms, dads and the littlest of kids, come experience the Hiawatha Rail Trail.  It’s fun, fun, fun for all as we cruise through tunnels, national forests and state parks.  For the more advanced kids, our new Bryce to Zion Family trip in Southeast Utah is calling you.  Not only are visits to two national parks on the docket, but the trails are sure to challenge those youngsters with previous trail riding experience.

Speaking of new,  a brand-new fleet of Specialized mountain bikes is available for guests to rent this year.  For 2007, if you just can’t bring your own bike, then hop on one of our FSR XC Comps.  These sweet, aluminum-framed dirt bikes come equipped with full-suspension and hydraulic disc brakes, making comfort, handling, and stopping power top-notch.  All rentals are expertly cleaned and tuned before each trip.  If this bike is a hit with you, you can always consider purchasing one at the end of the season during the great “Western Spirit Bike Sale.”

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