The Utah Trail

Riding in America isn't all about interstate highways and big, low-revving vee twins. Spritely European trail bikes are ideal for exploring three mid-western national parks in three days

- Nigel Saxon

Utah, in America's mid-west, is blessed with an extraordinary abundance of natural riches. It hosts no less than five national and 46 state parks including 'The Mighty Five'. These are the outstanding national parks of Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Zion.

It's a liberal state and the Utahans don't appreciate too many rules. The government sure knows how to keep the voters happy with 80mph speed limits, no helmet laws, low taxes and minimal interference to having fun in their natural environment.

I’ve never been anywhere that’s more geared up for off-road motorcycling, mountain biking and quad biking without too many pesky restrictions about where you can and can't ride. And in the winter, all attention turns to snow sports - Skiing, snowmobiling and even bobsleighing are all available. Utah truly has the best of both worlds.

In the company of my friend Scott, a Utah local who resides just south of Salt Lake City, we intend to visit three parks in three days riding a pair of KTM enduro bikes - a 690R and its 890 ADV big brother. We head three hours southeast of SLC on US-6 to Moab, the self-styled adventure capital. It’s perfectly positioned to be our base at the epicentre of the action.