Considering Cruise Moab 2018

[scottryana]

Ok so driving from VA to Moab is a haul it takes a full 3 days. Driving time alone you are looking at 6 days. Since you have so much driving I would make the drive part of the adventure. Definitely plan to do things along the way not just slugging it to get to Moab. One problem though is Colorado is right along the way and a must see, but May is too early to wheel the high country. Also full disclosure I have not been to a cruise Moab but I have been going to Moab for 26 years starting when I was mountain biking as a 13 year old. Moab is a great place if you like adventure; mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, jet boats, 4 wheeling, motorcycles, atv's, unimog tours, you name it. It might be nice to go to an organized event your first time out there, but seeing as you never know when you will be back it might be nice to go later in the year and do Colorado, etc.

Was kicking around going with the wife a few weeks ago, time off work is hard to come by in my business. Who has been before? Worth spending all my vacation days driving there/back/enjoying the event?

 

[Bludozer]

Ok so driving from VA to Moab is a haul it takes a full 3 days. Driving time alone you are looking at 6 days. Since you have so much driving I would make the drive part of the adventure. Definitely plan to do things along the way not just slugging it to get to Moab. One problem though is Colorado is right along the way and a must see, but May is too early to wheel the high country. Also full disclosure I have not been to a cruise Moab but I have been going to Moab for 26 years starting when I was mountain biking as a 13 year old. Moab is a great place if you like adventure; mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, jet boats, 4 wheeling, motorcycles, atv's, unimog tours, you name it. It might be nice to go to an organized event your first time out there, but seeing as you never know when you will be back it might be nice to go later in the year and do Colorado, etc.

Thank you so much for the response. Have been following your posts for a while and you have a lot more experience than me so really appreciate the advice. I've made the drive to Moab from Va once before and you are 100% right. I would take 3 days there/3days back (wish it could be more, but it is what it is.) Last time we went, took a longer route on the way there and then straight back on the way home - this time though unfortunately would be a straight there, straight back type of situation.
You make a good point about time of year too- would love to be experience more in Colorado (love to fly fish/mountain bike) but time-wise just isnt in the cards and likely wont be anytime soon. If I were to go out west agian, would have to essentially rush there/rush back and trying to decide whether or not that would be worth it. My heart says yes but my body says no lol.

 

[gahi]

fly in, then ride along with someone. Jet service to Moab starts May 1. They're doing runway expansions now to accommodate regional jets. I believe connections will be thru Denver.

 

[Bludozer]

fly in, then ride along with someone. Jet service to Moab starts May 1. They're doing runway expansions now to accommodate regional jets. I believe connections will be thru Denver.

Meh, appreciate the suggestion, but if I'm going to do it, then I'm going to want to wheel my own truck/have my own situation and freedom/make sure my wife enjoys herself too. Wouldn't be worth it to me to waste my vacation on a ridealong to be entirely honest.

 

[scottryana]

Wife might want to hit up Sorrel River Ranch and Spa, I am going to lose my man card, but I let a GF book us a day there for spa and massages and it was pretty nice.

Meh, appreciate the suggestion, but if I'm going to do it, then I'm going to want to wheel my own truck/have my own situation and freedom/make sure my wife enjoys herself too. Wouldn't be worth it to me to waste my vacation on a ridealong to be entirely honest.

 

[Bludozer]

Wife might want to hit up Sorrel River Ranch and Spa, I am going to lose my man card, but I let a GF book us a day there for spa and massages and it was pretty nice.

Haha no shame in that. Have had many a couples massage and never been disappointed. My wife does like camping/wheeling - just probably not as much where she doesnt feel she has her own privacy.

 

[rc51kid]

I see a few people mention Holiday Inn. is that the better of the "budget" places to stay?

 

[ppc]

Yes because it makes you smarter!!

 

[scottryana]

How budget do you want to go? The Lazy Lizard Hostel is pretty cheap...... haha

Holiday Inn is not bad, lots of parking, a little further from downtown. They also just redid the Best Western Canyonlands, and it is nice, right downtown.

I see a few people mention Holiday Inn. is that the better of the "budget" places to stay?

 

[Stuparman]

I'm looking for the high end luxury of a pit toilet.

 

[retrofive]

All I can add is make it happen. Super fun event.

 

[Stuparman]

I've decided to go for sure. Taking 3 weeks off with the event in the middle. Plenty of time to and from.

I'll do a test run with the trailer somewhere closer.

 

[icorradoi]

Last year was my first Cruise Moab and I don't think i'll miss another one if I can help it! My buddy flew in from ATL to ride along and this year he's bringing his friends too. It's a great time with really great people and very well organized.

I left my Maggiolina RTT at home and we booked a VRBO a few miles from slickrock. Do it!

 

[jonheld]

Was kicking around going with the wife a few weeks ago, time off work is hard to come by in my business. Who has been before? Worth spending all my vacation days driving there/back/enjoying the event?

I've driven out to Moab 3 times from Jersey in 2011,2012 and 2017. It's a real easy drive. Get on I70, drive 2000 miles, make a left.
Stop in Kansas City for BBQ and make sure your Cruise control works.

Cruise Moab is a very well run event and is always a good time. You won't run out of places to go or things to see.
The difficult trails have gotten more difficult since I was there in 2012, and Pritchett was damn near impossible, but I made it through.

We rented condos which were truly awesome and super comfortable. That's the only way to do it IMO. If I'm driving 2200 miles I want a comfy bed, a hot shower, and flush toilet. But I'm old and crusty. Your "needs" may be different.

The drive is 2.5 days each way without really pushing it. I like to stop for sit down meals and keep it civilized. Last year my wife flew out to Salt Lake City after the event and we continued northwest into Canada for another 2 weeks. That was a 7600 mile road trip that turned into the best vacation ever.

I forgot to add, make sure you head west out of Denver in the daylight. The drive from Denver to Vail is worth the trip on its own.

 

[rc51kid]

How budget do you want to go? The Lazy Lizard Hostel is pretty cheap...... haha

Holiday Inn is not bad, lots of parking, a little further from downtown. They also just redid the Best Western Canyonlands, and it is nice, right downtown.

We are happy with pretty basic. Most times traveling we stay places under $100, super 8, Motel 6 kind of places. We usually want basically clean, safe, AC and a TV that works. My wife LOVES being lazy in hotels and watching TV. I can say this because she is a crazy active open water swimmer in real life. So hotels are lazy time for her. But we also sleep in tents so our standards are low. I figure in Moab i would be happy with under $200 if i can find it.

I looked at the little cabins at the campground you mentioned. that might do the trick just fine as long as the AC works and she can lay in bed eating pizza watching TV at night! I make her sound like a cow and i love it. She i swimming 5 days a week right now training for a 20 plus mile swim. So she deserves down time.

 

[scottryana]

The cabins are kind of cool for the social aspect of it. You can stay in a Super 8 anywhere but you can park your 80 next to your cabin, sit outside at night, fire up the grill if you want to, watch Moab stars or bull**** with your next door neighbor. To me it’s more of the adventure of Moab lol

We are happy with pretty basic. Most times traveling we stay places under $100, super 8, Motel 6 kind of places. We usually want basically clean, safe, AC and a TV that works. My wife LOVES being lazy in hotels and watching TV. I can say this because she is a crazy active open water swimmer in real life. So hotels are lazy time for her. But we also sleep in tents so our standards are low. I figure in Moab i would be happy with under $200 if i can find it.

I looked at the little cabins at the campground you mentioned. that might do the trick just fine as long as the AC works and she can lay in bed eating pizza watching TV at night! I make her sound like a cow and i love it. She i swimming 5 days a week right now training for a 20 plus mile swim. So she deserves down time.

 

[rc51kid]

The cabins are kind of cool for the social aspect of it. You can stay in a Super 8 anywhere but you can park your 80 next to your cabin, sit outside at night, fire up the grill if you want to, watch Moab stars or bull**** with your next door neighbor. To me it’s more of the adventure of Moab lol

I agree 100%. My point was really that late at night she enjoys being lazy and really doesnt care much about how nice the place is. When i told her about the cabin she really liked that idea. So that might be perfect.

On a side note, how much do you miss out on by not camping at the camp ground where it is hosted?

Now that i have completely hijacked this thread!

Also when i leave Moab i will be heading to Yellowstone where i will spend about 5 months. So as much as i love campfires we do meet our yearly quota...if that is possible. But i guess that is like meeting a beer quota...kind of impossible.

 

[RFB]

I've never used an RTT, but can they be taken off and setup on the ground, or something? I would suggest not having it on for trails too.

I have a RTT and did all of MOAB with no probs. and Im lifted

 

[gofast]

I've been to cruise Moab twice and to Utah 6 times. The first trail I ever ran with the cruise Moab gang was posion spider. What a fun trail!. And I have to say I've never been to a classier, safe event - extremely well done.

On poison spider we we joined by a young guy with a new to him, unlocked 80, on clapped out suspension and 33's. He paid 3800 for the truck and all he did for prep was show up. He ran every trail. Following year it was built up.

Go because you're building great memories!

You will be amazed at what your truck can do and your biggest challenge will be wrapping your head around an obstacle that seems impossible but isn't.

Agree on avoiding slick rock camp ground, not just for the zoo but also for the cotton wood fluff. Gets everywhere

 

[NewbyColorado]

I did Cruise Moab in 2015 and had a great time. My vehicle isn't very different from yours. I run 285's as well. Just be aware that Rising Sun is the club that puts on CruiseMoab and they are looking at a different location. Someone already mentioned that before. I camped along the Colorado River each night in a camp site. As you know with a RTT, you have to be ok with the idea of always packing up in the morning. I don't think it effects driving. I did the night run for Hell's Revenge, Fins and Things, Jax Trax and Porcupine Rim.

Here's my ride on the night run of Hell's Revenge. I didn't do Hell's Gate though. I'm new to all of this but the trail leaders are great!