Cart 0
 
 
 
 
 

Desert Skills Retreat (Int/Adv)| Utah

 
IMG_0232.JPG
 
 
 

Retreat Dates: April 24 - 28, 2024 (Int/Adv Retreat)

 
 

Join our crew on an epic mountain bike retreat in the heart of the desert southwest.

This MTB Retreat is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get together with an incredible group of women, ride bikes in the sun, and build skills together. We will take you to ride world class trails along desert mesas and build in coaching on each ride to enhance your experience and expand your zone of comfort.

We will top off each day with yoga sessions, facilitated discussions, and workshops that will leave you feeling educated, relaxed, and invigorated to ride your bike.

Join us on this incredible experience in the heart of the desert southwest. Let’s ride!


When forces unite…

Imagine a group of women gather in the small town of Hurricane, Utah…

Private house. Private pool. Private guides. Expert mountain bike coaches. And a pile of mountain bikes, snacks, gear, wine, hugs, stories, high fives…and so much more.

Julie and Katrina have come together to create an epic gathering for women mountain bikers. We’ll pair on-trail skills coaching with yoga sessions and workshops. We’ll empower you. We’ll help you expand your comfort zones. We’ll support you along the way.

We believe that bringing mountain bikers together is powerful. Let’s do it in the desert and make magic together!


Our Desert Skills Retreat combines all of this and more…

  • Bringing mountain bikers together

  • Private accommodations

  • Yoga & intention setting

  • Excellent food & fine beverages

  • World class mountain bike trails

  • Building skills on trail with professional coaches

  • Facilitated workshops & intentional conversations

  • Camaraderie! ✨


Meet the Coaches

Julie Hanen

Julie Hanen created Ride the Earth to bring mountain bikers together for unique adventures in epic destinations. Julie has been an avid mountain biker for more than 20 years and has specialized in guiding her guests on multi-day adventures both domestic and international for the past 18 years.

She is a certified mountain bike coach with a BA in Exercise Science. She is also a licensed and certified EMT and is highly trained in mountain rescue. She thrives on logistics, loves people, and, more than anything — her true love is to create epic experiences for her guests to travel, build skills, and explore the world with their mountain bikes. She strives to blend on-the-bike skills with mindset work to help people get out of their own way and discover all that they’re capable of.

Johanna Weintrager

Johanna has been one of our rockstar lead guides and MTB instructors since 2017. She grew up in Ontario, Canada and has been living in BC for over 25 years. Johanna has been a force in the world of mountain biking since 2003, when she began her career as a mountain bike guide and coach. She has guided groups from Canada to the US and also in Costa Rica, Nepal, Mexico and Argentina.

She is also a 500-hour yoga instructor and sports nutritionist and she effortlessly brings her health and wellness background into the experiences she guides for our guests. She loves bringing yoga, stretching, healthy eating, and mindset into her approach as a guide and coach, and she takes pride in her ability to provide a holistic approach to how we ride bikes.


 
 
  • DAY 1. WELCOME TO SW UTAH!

    We are so excited to share this all-inclusive MTB experience with you! This trip starts and ends in the quaint town of Hurricane, Utah. You can get here by flying to Las Vegas and taking a shuttle or you can fly directly to the St George Airport. Check out the “Trip Details” and “Destination Info” tabs for the full trip logistics and information.

    After you’re unpacked and settled into your space for the trip, the group will meet on the patio for a welcome party! We’ll review our incredible itinerary, set intentions for the week, build our bikes (with hands on tips and tricks to share), and enjoy some local beverages and food. We’ll have tools, pumps, and extra hands for anyone needing assistance assembling their bikes.

    Head to bed early for a good night’s sleep and get ready for our amazing adventure ahead!

  • DAY 2. DESERT SKILLS, YOGA & POOLSIDE COCKTAILS

    Kick off your morning with breakfast overlooking the desert landscape. We will provide in house breakfast so everyone can get a healthy start to each day. *(Note: There will be food options available for all dietary needs.)

    This morning we’ll head to the famous Gooseberry Mesa and kick off our trip riding the Wire Mesa loop. This newer trail is an intermediate loop with fun flowy segments speckled with fun, technical slickrock sections…the perfect warm up to southern Utah mountain biking. We will stop to session at select areas on the trail and spend the morning working on skills, with pro tips from expert coaches, that will make your desert riding experience that much more fun!

    After our ride, we'll have a picnic lunch near the trailhead then head down the road to ride, what Bike Magazine voted as one of flowiest trails in America – the JEM trail. This trail network has a variety of options, so we’ll pick one of our favorites, and show you why this trail is such an awesome topper to the day.

    After an incredible day of riding, we’ll return to our home for a relaxing yoga session and poolside cocktails. Dinner will be provided for the group tonight by our in-house private chef.

  • DAY 3. MESA RIDING, ROCK ROLLS & POST-RIDE WORKSHOP

    Today we will offer an early morning yoga session before enjoying our group breakfast. We have another big day of riding today, so we want to set you up for success. After breakfast, we’ll hit the road and head to the world class trail network of Gooseberry Mesa. We’ll spend the whole day riding one of Southern Utah’s best mountain bike trail systems. Fun technical climbs, epic slickrock descents and views that will leave you wanting more!

    This is a big day, so we’ll take our lunch with us on the trail. We’ll plan to be out riding for 6+ hours and have lunch at an incredible point along the trail with amazing views. Note: There is an option for some of the group to ride a shorter loop and the rest of the group to ride the full big day option.

    After this amazing day out on the trail, we’ll head back for an ice-cold beverage, fist bumps and relish in an amazing day on the trails! After a quick dip in the pool, we will group up for an extraordinary workshop. This workshop will provide a unique roundtable experience with facilitated discussions around select topics such as fear, recovering your headspace after a fall, and how to expand your comfort zone on two wheels.

    We will top off this incredible day with a spectacular group dinner provided just for our group. Enjoy some much-needed R&R and get ready for another extraordinary day of riding tomorrow!

  • DAY 4. LANDS OF THE ANASAZI

    After breakfast, join the group and travel to Little Creek Mesa for a full day of riding.

    Boasting 20+ miles of technical slickrock and singletrack, Little Creek Mesa Trail will not disappoint. This area is known for its rich history as well as its archaeological significance. It’s also known for being an area where riders get lost on their ride! There’s something magical about riding a trail that is off the beaten track, hard to find, and hard to follow - and our Guides know it like the back of their hand (BTWs!).

    We’ll follow cairns through this incredible desert ride with incredible views towards Gooseberry Mesa and the Pine Valley Mountains. We'll stop for a lunch break mid-trail, as this epic ride is known to take anywhere from 4-6 hours. Then we’ll continue our journey through the historical lands of the Virgin Anasazi as we loop our way back to the start, where cold beverages will be waiting for trailhead celebrations.

    We’ll return to our lodging in time to stretch, shower and relax before settling into an intimate evening with a final dinner provided by our chef. Bon Appetit!

  • DAY 5. MORNING YOGA, BREAKFAST & RETURN HOME

    Rise and shine for one last yoga session together. We'll waken our bodies with the rising sun and then enjoy a final breakfast together overlooking the desert.

    With gratitude, high fives, and newfound friends, it's time to say farewell...until next time!

    Thanks for riding southern Utah with us! We hope to ride with you again…

Itinerary Disclaimer: Adventure travel carries inherent risks and the potential for unexpected situations. It is rare that we have to alter our planned itinerary however, our crew reserves the right to alter any trip at any time to make proper adjustments due to weather, trail conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

 
 
  • What's Included

    • 5D/4N All Inclusive MTB Retreat Package
    • Guided mountain biking with professional skills coaching
    • 4 nights private accommodation
    • Private coaching with Pro Athlete Katrina Strand
    • 3 Private Yoga Sessions for Rest & Recovery
    • Unique Workshop & Facilitated Discussions
    • All meals included - 4 dinners, 3 lunches, 4 breakfasts
    • An ice cold microbrew and/or other beverages provided each day
    • Bike tools and maintenance kit provided for the group as needed

  • What's Not Included

    • Gratuities for guides and activities: Although tipping is completely up to your discretion, it is customary to provide gratuity for guides and drivers. A typical gratuity for your expert mountain bike guides is 5-10% of your trip cost per person and 2-5% for drivers. This may be given to the lead guide on your trip or to each person individually.

    • Airport shuttles: See the Arrival/Departure Info below for ride start and end times and locations. There are no shuttles included in this itinerary. An airport shuttle may be reserved for pick up or drop off from St George Airport (SGU) for $45/person (each way).

    • Equipment rentals (bike, helmet, other gear, etc.)

    • Food & beverages not included in the itinerary: Riders are responsible for their own trail snacks and alcoholic beverages. Lunches will include non-alcoholic drinks, but specialty drinks and extras should be placed on your own tab. We provide post ride celebratory beverages (usually that means a locally made cold beer!) but anything outside of that is not included. Although our guides will have some snacks and drinks available, it is highly recommended that each rider bring a full supply of ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.

    • International/Domestic Airfare

    • Trip Insurance: Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

  • Trip Add Ons

    • Airport Shuttle from St George Airport: $45 per person

    • High End Full Suspension MTB Rental: $425 per person

    • Mid-Range Full Suspension MTB Rental: $345 per person

    • Custom Add On: Arriving early or staying longer after your ride? Contact our team to design your additional travel days. Our team specializes in custom tour packages both on and off the bike. We’d love to show you more great places to explore in our selected destinations. Cost varies per package.

    • Couples Getaway Add On: This customized add on is a great addition to any of our bike tours. Sign up your partner as a couples add on and we’ll provide a private guide to show them the other great stuff to do at your destination of choice. Whether they want to practice their skills on a bike or spend their time exploring other non-biking activities, we’ll make sure they have an excellent experience paralleling your mountain biking vacation. Cost varies per package.

  • Skill & Fitness

    This program is designed for Intermediate to (lower level) Advanced riders. The following outlines the minimum skill level and fitness base required for this specific experience. If you have questions about your ability level, email us or schedule a call back and we’ll answer all your questions and help get you booked on the tour that matches your skill and fitness levels.

    Skill Level - Intermediate+ (Blue/Black Trails): You have a strong understanding and practice with the skills of braking, shifting, cornering and descending. You are able to navigate variable terrain at a good pace. You are confident and comfortable riding singletrack trails and can easily navigate roots, rocks, mud, sand and creek crossings. You are capable of a front wheel and rear wheel lift and can put the two together to navigate over obstacles. You are fairly confident on steep climbs and descents, but you may walk sections on trails that are rated Black or Double Black.

    Fitness Level - 4/7: We are catering to all levels for this event, but this is a good indicator based on the trails we plan to ride. You have a reasonable level of mountain bike fitness. You bike or exercise at least 2 times per week all year long for 1-2 hours each session. You are comfortable biking for 3-4 hours at a moderate pace. You can comfortably ride for four days back-to-back with climbing of up to 1000ft per day.

  • Trip Start/End Info

    The Desert Skills Retreat starts and ends in Hurricane, UT. Detailed arrival intructions with address will be provided upon confirmation of your trip.

    Arrival Day: Plan to arrive between 3-5pm on arrival day. On day one, there are no scheduled activities until early evening to allow time for all the riders to arrive and get settled in. We will meet the group with beverages and pizza on the patio at 6:00pm for a welcome meeting.

    Departure Day: Enjoy an early morning yoga session and a relaxing morning prior to the scheduled check out at 11am. There are no rides scheduled this day.

  • Accommodations & Food

    • The accommodation for the Desert Skills Retreat is private lodging with onsite pool and hot tub. All king rooms (with the single room upgrade) have their own private bathroom. The shared room accommodations include bunk-style beds that are built into the wall (so no creaking with every movement) and shared bath. This shared living experience will provide an incredible group experience for everyone to enjoy in each other's company while still having the space to relax and get some privacy.

    • Check in time: No earlier than 3:00pm. Detailed check in instructions will be provided after confirmation of your booking.

    • Meals: All meals included. Be sure to provide your dietary preferences so we can accommodate any special requests.

  • Packing List & Bike Packing

    • Packing for traveling can be overwhelming and when you add a bike it can quickly become a lot of stuff. Trust us, we know. Each of our rides has a packing list specific to the destination. Below are the links to the packing list for each destination as well as a link to a fun video we made to show you proper techniques for packing your bike for travel. Still have questions? Schedule a call back and our team will gladly walk you through the process and answer any questions
    • Click HERE for Utah packing list.
    • Click HERE for bike packing video

 
 

Utah is a spectacular destination in the heart of the USA. Whether your traveling from another state in the US or joining from outside the country, you will find detailed travel information specific to Utah listed below. Contact us with any questions but don’t forget that, prior to any mountain bike trip,  it is always recommended to contact your physician for specific health information related to you. Your local public health office or the CDC are also great resources for up-to-date travel information related to international travel.

Hurricane, Utah
  • Getting There & Away

    By Air:The closest airport to the trip starting point is the St George Airport (SGU). Flights arrive daily from destinations all over the US. You may also fly into Las Vegas, which is a 2 hour drive via shuttle or rental car.

    By Shuttle: If you fly into St George Airport, we can provide you with a shuttle for $45 (one way). You can choose this as an add on during the booking process or contact our team directly to make arrangements. Uber services are also avaialble in the St George area.

    Shuttle Services from Las Vegas to St George (2 hours):
    St George Shuttle

    Shuttle Services from Salt Lake City to St George (4 hours):
    St George Shuttle

    Car Rental: Many car rental agencies are available in the surrounding areas if you choose to fly into St George, Las Vegas, or Salt Lake.

  • Visas & Entry

    All international travelers require a current passport that is valid 6 months after your return date in order to enter the country. Citizens of some countries will require a visa with customs approvals in needed in advance. For more information pertaining to your nationality, check with your local embassy or passport office for detailed travel requirements.

  • Money

    It is best to travel with local currency while traveling. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money in the airport upon arrival and then using ATMs for more cash. Most all businesses accept credit cards, so you don’t have to carry too much on any given day. For guests arriving from the US or Canada, all major credit cards are accepted at most locations and ATMs are readily available.

  • Health & Safety

    It is important that all riders contact their personal physician and/or public health office prior to traveling. These resources can provide you with the proper recommendations for your personal health needs regarding vaccinations, medications and general travel health information. You may also go to the CDC Website for detailed travel health information.

    There are no vaccinations currently required for entry into the United States. Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk areas may be asked to provide proof of a current Yellow Fever vaccination.

    In general, the food and water are safe to drink in the United States.

  • Trip Insurance

    Note that trip insurance is required for all riders on any Ride the Earth tour. You must provide proof of policy prior to departure. We have partnered with World Nomads to provide you with affordable trip insurance. Click HERE to view our trip insurance page to choose and purchase your policy.

 
 
  • How do I know if this trip is right for me?

    This skills retreat is designed for any woman looking to grow their mountain bike skills in a safe environment. This trip is geared mostly towards intermediate and lower level advanced riders. For newer beginniners and lower level intermediate riders, check out our other Desert Skills Retreat designed for Beginner-Intermediate riders.

  • How can I book a private room?

    When you click on the "Book Now" button, you will see an option for shared accommodations or a "Single Room Upgrade." This add on will book your spot into a private room with a shared bath.

  • I am coming with a friend, how can I book us into the same room?

    Once you each book your spot on the trip, just send us a quick email and tell us that you're travelling togther and we'll be sure to put you in the same shared room. If you would like to share a king room, send us an email and we will set that up for you.

  • I live nearby and don't need lodging. Do you offer a package without the lodging?

    Absolutely! We have a No-lodging package for you to join without staying at the private accommodations with us. No-Lodging Option or schedule a call back.

  • Can I come to the retreat but stay in my van?

    We are happy to accommodate you and your van! Camping in a van isn't allowed at our private accommodations, however, there are excellent places to camp nearby (15-20 minutes). For this option, we will create a customized package to join us without staying at the private accommodations. Email us or schedule a call back with your request and we will provide you with a quote.

  • What should I wear for riding in Utah?

    In general, you can expect warm sunny days in Utah. Typical Spring/Fall temperatures range from 75-85F (25-30C) during the day and dropping to 45-55F (7-13C) in the evenings. You will need quick drying biking clothes for each day, and it is also recommended to bring a jacket with you. Sudden changes in weather can occur and all riders must be prepared. Refer to the suggested packing list for detailed information on what to bring. You will also be able to leave items in our van each day so you can have back up supplies if needed throughout the day.

  • Do I need a hydration pack for this trip?

    Yes, it is very dry and hot in Utah. We recommend all riders should be prepared to carry 2-3L of water on them each day.

  • Will there be quality snacks available?

    Our crew will have some snacks available, however, it is up to each participant to provide their own personal snacks and electrolyte replacement tabs or chews while riding. If you're anything like us, you know exaclty what you like to eat while riding, plan to have those items with you and we will supplement the rest. There are many local stores nearby to purchase snacks, bars, electorlytes, etc. upon arrival if you choose not to bring them in your luggage.

  • How much riding will we do each day?

    For our riding days, expect to spend 4-6 hours on your bike. There will be ample time for breaks and the trip is designed to keep you going from start to finish, as long as your skill and fitness match the recommended levels for this specific trip. We will be doing a lot of skills sessions that will provide time to session on your bike and/or also is an opportunity to rest and snack. We design each day to make it very achievable for most riders.

  • Are their gluten free, dairy free, or vegan food options available?

    All of our trips can cater to most dietary needs, however, make sure you tell us in advance so our team can be properly prepared. We will provide you with forms to fill out prior to travel that will allow you the opportunity to notify us of any dietary needs or allergies.

    Once you’re in Hurricane, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from that cater to special dietary needs. If you are vegan or have strict dietary needs, you may want to go to the organic food store in St George to purchase some supplementary items for yourself. There is also a refrigerator in your room to allow for storage of any special items you may want to have on hand.

  • I’ve never travelled with my bike. Will there be someone available to help me assemble my bike?

    Our guides/coaches will be there to help you build your bike at the start of the trip and pack it up at the end. We will have tools available and we’re very experienced in assembling and packing bikes. We’ll gladly give you tips and help you out during the process.

 
 
 

 

 

 More Trips You Might Like