Utah Backways Adventure Trail (UTBAT)
Self Guided Adventure Package
7 Day Adventure ride making a loop around the western Rocky Mountains of Montana
The Utah Backways Adventure Trail, or UTBAT, is a panoramic route across the state of Utah, from Arizona to Idaho. This 900 mile, south-north route traverses mostly unpaved backroads and passes through a multitude of scenic locations including Moab, Valley of the Gods, the Abajo and La Sal Mountain Ranges, Nine Mile Canyon, and the northern Wasatch Mountains.
DIY Ride Package
This ride can be done by yourself or with a group of friends. Riders can purchase a custom ride packet that includes custom GPS routes and matching paper maps and a self guided ride booklet.
With the use of a well programmed GPS, anyone can lead themself on the greatest adventure routes.
About the ride
This Adventure is an 7 day ride starting in southern Utah near Mexican Hat and riding north to the Wyoming border, then back to the south to form a big state loop. The ride starts on Saturday morning and finishes a week later on Sunday afternoon back at the start. The ride was originally designed for adventure motorcycles but it has been modified to include options for both Side by Side UTV and Dual Sport bikes. Street license is required.
The ride can include one free or open day in Moab. Riders can either choose from many rider options or simply take a break, relaxing day.
This ride is great for UTVs, ATVs dual sport and adventure motorcycles.
Is this route right for you?
This route is not good for beginners; you should be very experienced in backcountry travel and prepared for any difficulty or failures. This route includes options: both easier and harder routes. As an example for those wanting to avoid river crossings, we have added workaround route options. For those just tired and wanting to end the day early, we have added easy paved shortcuts. And for those tough guys wanting more, we have added some challenging routes.
Self Guided Adventure: This ride is designed to be a self-guided adventure. As GPS units have become both more powerful and easier to use, it has enabled anyone to be able to easily find their way along the trail. For many, this allows them to just experience the adventure without the burden of getting lost. The Adventure Packets include: Custom route maps on microSD card for Garmin GPS units, a ride description booklet, both daily 11x17 printed maps and mini 5x8 quick reference maps. It also includes a list of hotels and their contact information. Everything you need to have a great adventure.
Route Choices: Don't put yourself in a bad spot. gpsKevin route maps always include route options. We recognize that weather and conditions can change. We design these adventures with multiple routes in different colors. The main adventure route is colored Blue, then there are easier and harder options, Green and Red, respectively. This allows riders to choose their own level of adventure appropriate for their own skill and desires. We don't want to put you into a challenging spot without options; we let you make the choice.
UTBAT Choice (Scroll Down Menu)
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Notes: I suggest you plan and order early. Normally I ship within a week. But sometimes I run out and it can take me several weeks to get new cards and maps. And sometimes I am out riding and building new adventures so that can be hard too. I list the Option for 2 SD cards because many riders like to carry a backup card or a cheap backup GPS in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
What are these Adventure Rides like? These rides are designed along the theme of exploring the world. They include a mix of remote dirt routes, back paved roads, sometimes some very seldom ridden paths and pavement. Rides are a mix of all these things and sometimes some surprises due to weather conditions. These rides are for experienced, well seasoned riders that are capable of turning a washed out road experience into just part of the day's fun. Riders should be comfortable with turning around when necessary and finding an alternative route around unexpected obstacles. These rides are not for new riders. As an experienced rider, the tough part of having a great motorcycle adventure is the routing and logistics. What routes do I take? Where do I stay? How do I find the best routes and places?
View the ride on the Satellite Maps
OK since many of you like to study more detail about the ride, below are the ride maps.
I put these ride maps on the web page because I know a few of you love looking at the ride detail and dreaming about the ride. At first glance these maps do not look so impressive, but they are way cool. If you start zooming in, you can see the ride in incredible detail. I have spent a ton of hours sorting through the details of the ride for each day, so for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing, well enjoy!
Legend:
The Blue lines are MAIN UTBAT Routes
The Red lines are Hard Alternate Routes
The Green lines are Easy Alternate Routes
Black lines are Out and Backs to Gas and Towns
We have done the homework for you: We have studied and developed and ridden to find the best possible routes and then we have put them into great daily rides. As riding skills and desires for riders can be different, we have developed and include route options. We find that many riders like to ride with their best friends, however their friends may not always have the same riding skills and desires. As the day's ride progresses, riders have choices of easier and harder routes. This allows you to tailor the ride more towards your own riding desires and allows you to make choices that might better suit your friends when necessary. Sometimes riders may just want a break too.
How does the ride navigation work?
This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own. You are responsible for your own riding. You are given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit. People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together. You are not encouraged to ride alone. You are responsible for your own riding and yourself.
(see my ride Navigation Video)
Are you right for this ride?
When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help? You should be in the more likely to offer help camp. This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help. Additionally there is all the normal stuff: come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.
How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?
I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden. I take the best from all my rides and make new ones.
(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)
Note from me, gpsKevin
My goal for this ride is simple: great riding. You can count on great routes and places to ride.
But in addition, the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the World.
Thanks,
gpsKevin
FAQ's
Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?
A: No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options.
Q: What are motel room arrangements?
A: You are on you own to make arrangements. I recommend reservations.
Q: What bikes are right for this ride?
A: Adventure bikes, Overland 4x4, and Dual Sport bikes can all do well; it depends on your ride choices
Q: Can I use my cell phone?
A: Sorry, at this point we do not support cell phone GPS use for our rides. The IMG files will not run on a cell phone.
Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin GPS?
A: Buy one, you need it. Get a Garmin, it is still the most reliable
Q: Is the riding really on my own?
A: Yes, but we recommend you bring a friend
Q: How good are these routes?
A: They are 99% perfect. Or sometimes, 99.9% perfect. Or sometimes, 95% perfect. So be prepared for a little imperfection.
Q: What are Custom GPS Ride Maps?
A: Custom GPS ride maps are electronic maps designed specifically to show the paths and path choices for a particular ride. The maps show the paths as clear bold lines so the riders can easily see them even on small screens. The lines are often comprised of groups of arrows or chevrons so that riders can easily tell the recommended direction of travel. The lines come in multiple colors so that riders can easily choose between Hard and Easy options. Custom ride maps make ride navigation much easier than ever before.
Warning:
Any and all riding is on you own. Conditions change and routes may not be navigable.
Legal access can change and is not guaranteed. Riders must assess the local conditions.
Weather can make the routes impassable. Riders must obey all local laws
gpsKevin assumes no liability for these rides or your actions.