Grand Canyon Cycling

Touring The Canyon Rim –

It was a sunny clear day on the South Rim for Grand Canyon Cycling. At an elevation of 6,804 ft (2.074 m), peddling your way to Hermit’s Rest can be quite a challenge. There is a greenway set aside for biking and hiking with only a small portion of the route shared with motorized vehicles.

Bright Angel Bicycles

We picked up our bicycles at Bright Angel Bicycles located next door to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center In Grand Canyon Village. The folks there were helpful, gave great guidance, and provided us with properly fitted cruisers that included a nice granny gear for those tough climbs.

The Route

The total distance from Bright Angel Bicycles to Hermit’s Rest and back is twenty-one miles. It includes several scenic overlooks that are difficult to describe, let alone photograph. I have included my photographic perspective here, but they do not convey the enormity and grandeur of this national treasure. Because we were not physically prepared to cycle 6% grades at this altitude, we were able to hop a shuttle that runs this route regularly and bypass the steep climbs, cutting our actual ride down to fifteen miles. Thanks to our bike shop angels, we had the ride of our lives.

Down Hill Both Ways

I learned something about my wife Joy on this expedition. She is an adrenaline junky. Because we were able to take the shuttle over the major uphill sections, we literally rode down hill both ways. The grin on her face was from ear to ear.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon National Park, I highly recommend viewing the South Rim by Bicycle. You can see so much more of it than hiking alone.