Cycling
Inside the park, cyclists are required to stay on roads, many of them narrow and crowded. Routes such as Highway 64 and the Cape Royal Road are inherently risky for cyclists. But at least two good rides exist. From March through November, Hermits Rest Route is closed to most private cars, making it a haven for cyclists. You'll still have to yield to tour buses, shuttles, and a handful of private vehicles, and watch out for people on foot, many of whom will be oblivious to your approach. On the North Rim, the entrance road is wide enough to accommodate experienced cyclists.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
To mountain bike near Grand Canyon, you'll need to cross out of Grand Canyon National Park into the Kaibab National Forest, which borders the park on both rims. On the North Rim, avid cyclists are flocking to the new Rainbow Rim Trail—an 18-mile stretch of expert-level single track (no motor vehicles allowed) that provides access to five remote canyon overlooks. Old logging roads, jeep trails, and footpaths crisscross other areas of the North Rim, providing a variety of cycling options. Visit the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake (& 928/643-7298) for directions, maps, road conditions, and trail descriptions.
On the South Rim, you'll find enjoyable mountain biking on a stretch of the Arizona Trail that starts at Grandview Lookout Tower. To reach the lookout, take Highway 64 east from Grand Canyon
Village. About 1.7 miles east of the Grandview Point turnoff, turn right (south) onto the road for the Arizona Trail. Leaving the park, follow this dirt road 1.3 miles to Grandview Lookout and the trail-head. Beginning here, you can ride more than 20 miles of intermediate-level single-track (with a few short, technically demanding stretches thrown in), much of it along the Coconino Rim.
Another trail system, with loops of 3.7, 10.2, and 11.2 miles, is located near Tusayan. These loops follow old Jeep trails through rolling hills in the ponderosa pine forest. The trails have a few steep, rocky areas, but most of the terrain is only moderately difficult. To reach them, find the marked parking area .3 miles north of Tusayan on the west side of Highway 64. A single trail heads north from there, eventually crossing under the highway through a concrete tunnel and providing access to the loops. (Note: This is also a great place to run when you're staying in Tusayan.) For information on these trails and maps of the Tusayan Ranger District (& 928/6382443), visit the Forest Service Office a half mile south of the park entrance on Highway 64. It's open weekdays 8am to 4:30pm.
BIKE RENTALS
SOUTH RIM On the South Rim, higher-end bicycles can be rented in Flagstaff at Absolute Bikes (& 928/779-5969), 18 N.
San Francisco St. Prices vary from $25 to $45 for a full day, $20 to $30 for a half day.
NORTH RIM On the North Rim Kaibab Adventure Outfitters of Moab, UT (& 800/451-1133 or 435/259-7423; www.kaibab tours.com) offers bike rental on a half/full-day basis at the cost of $40 and $33 respectively. For $175, bicycles may be hired for 7 days. Kaibab Adventure Outfitters offers van-supported 5-day mountain bike tours (cost: $895) of the North Rim.
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