But first, a word from our sponsor...Our trail pages should be considered "quick and dirty" descriptions. We show you what the trail's like, but for accurate riding descriptions, there's nothing like a good guidebook. (Our trail riding guides are heavily odometer-dependent. If you're riding without a speedometer, you need the more detailed description in a guidebook.)

by Gregg Bromka, Falcon Publishing 1999, 519 pages. This is THE authoritative guide to the best of Utah's trails, with 100 of the must-do rides around the state. Gregg Bromka writes a colorful description with interesting "side notes," plus a trail map and elevation graph. Good access directions. Better maps than most other guidebooks. Includes the best rides of the Moab area. This book is a tad heavy for your bike backpack -- when exploring, we copy the pages of the trail we'll be riding.If you're looking for a single excellent overall guide to Utah biking, get this one.

by Gregg Bromka, Off-road Publications 2003, 320 pages. This is the most comprehensive guide to the trails of the Wasatch Front area (does NOT include Logan or Park City trails). Includes descriptions, elevation graphs, and topo maps of 71 trails within 50 miles of Salt Lake City. Goes far beyond Mountain Biking Utah (Gregg Bromka's state-wide trail book), with rides and ride options covering virtually every worthwhile trail. Restaurant recommendations; camping information; dog regulations; much more.

by Gregg Bromka, Off-road Publications 2006, 228 pages.On flipping through this book, I could only say "Wow!" 43 rides, done in typical rigorous Bromka fashion. Excellent maps, elevation graphs, ride add-ons. Includes a few trails in the Heber and Uinta mountain area. Quick-glance information for each trail in a helpful spreadsheet includes distance, tread type, difficulty, elevation gain, and more. Master map shows locations of trails. Section on regulations, etc.

by Charlie Sturgis and Mark Fischer, 2004, 108 pages. It details 20 rides in the Park City region, ranked into five difficulty levels with about 4 trails each. By-the-mile trail directions are very detailed; elevation graphs are included. Maps are bare-bones minumum (my only criticism of this book is that posted trail names and critical intersections aren't shown on the maps). Spiral binding lets this book lie flat, and the thick pages resist damage on-trail.

by Tim Walsh, La Sal Endeavors 2001, 111 pages.-- even if the ride you're contemplating is listed in a book you already own. This excellent trail guide lists 16 La Sal rides and 6 hiking-only routes. Trail descriptions give(the first book we've seen that does this!), topo map, elevation graph. Spiral binding lets this book lie flat.This book is the cure for uncertainty when following unfamiliar La Sal trails.

by David Crowell, Falcon Publishing 2004 (reissue of 1997 "Mountain Biking Moab"), 239 pages. This is an excellent trail guide to 42 Moab-area rides, with map, elevation graph, trail riding description. Descriptions are short but precise and well-organized -- just what you need for a quick glance as you try to figure out where you are. Mile-by-mile ride description. Small size and light weight, this book fits a biking backpack or pocket!This is the book use on-trail when we ride Moab. You need more of a recommendation than that?

by Lee Bridgers, Globe Pequot Press 2000, 2nd Ed 2004, 380 pages, originally published as "Mountain Bike America Moab." 41 great rides in the Moab area, including topo map and trail descriptions. No elevation graphs. What makes this book unique is many interesting "feature articles" on local history and archeology, along with colorful biking stories. It's a bit heavy to take on the trail with you.A fun book if you like to read. Use the tidbits of info to impress your friends.

Biker-Mel 2004, 129 pages. 39 great rides in the Moab area, ranging from easy to abusive, including trail map and description, elevation graph. This book has an irreverent, fun tone, but gives you the information you need without a lot of verbiage. This "New Enhanced Mel 2" is even better than the first version! A good on-trail book, because the spiral binding lets this book lie flat. Light in weight but with heavy-duty cover.Fun! Includes 3 roadie rides. Surprisingly useful.

by Bob D'Antonio, Falcon Press 2002, 86 pages. Guide to the trails in the Fruita/Grand Junction. (Not really Utah, but a lot of Utahns go there!) 21 trails in typical Falcon Guide format with drawn (non-topo) maps, mile-by-mile riding milestones, elevation graphs. A "Just the Facts, Ma'am" approach for a thin pocket guide.

by Michael McCoy, Menasha Ridge Press 2000, 232 pages. Guide to the trails in the lower half of the state (not just Moab and Dixie). 75 trails with maps and riding description. No elevation graphs. If you're only going to hit a few trails in southern Utah, you can get by with Bromka's Mountain Biking Utah (above). But if you're going to ride them all, you'll need this book.If we lived in Escalante, we'd use this one.

by Gregg Bromka, Off-road Publications 1998, 198 pages. Typical of Bromka's work, this is an excellent book, with accurate detailed maps and colorful trail descriptions. Gregg adds details about local history and geology that we really enjoy. Covers 41 rides (no St. George area trails). Doesn't include elevation graphs. Rich in overall detail, it gives the best ride directions for adventurous souls riding without an odometer.We give this book our highest recommendation for Bryce-Brian Head.

by Bruce Grubbs, Falcon Publishing 1999, 136 pages. This is a useful trail guide to 35 rides in the Cedar City and St. George area, with maps, elevation graphs, and trail riding mile-by-mile. It's written in the same concise "just the facts" style as Mountain Biking Moab (above). Missing a few newer St. George trails. Smaller size fits into a biking backpack or biking-jersey pocket!If you spend much time in southwest Utah, you need this book as your quick on-trail reference.