Memorial Day: Clear skies, warm temps and a lot of water make for perfect weekend plans

Biking — Among the lower 48, Utah ranks 21st in participation per capita in riding on paved roads, fourth for riding on dirt roads and fifth for riding single track.

There are a number of mountain-biking opportunities in Utah. Many of the travel regions have published books showing some of the most popular riding areas. The cycling guides, along with an Outdoor Utah Vacation Guide, are available through the Utah Travel Council, Salt Lake Visitors and Convention Bureau, and welcome centers and travel bureaus in the various communities around the state.

As with hiking, the biking options are limitless here in Utah. While Moab gets the most attention, other areas also offer unique experiences.

Popular road rides include the 45-mile loop around Bear Lake, The ride around Pineview Reservoir, the 7 1/2-mile ride across the causeway to Antelope Island, the 65-mile ride along Mirror Lake highways between Kamas and Evanston, the ride through Nine-Mile Canyon outside of Price and the 100-mile loop around Utah Lake, the state's largest natural body of fresh water.

A popular ride for mountain bikers in the warmer months is along the old Union Pacific Railroad line between Park City and Echo, which is now a state park.

For information on biking opportunities visit www.bicycleutah.com or the state site at www.utahtravel.com.

These are but a few of the weekend possibilities. Each of the listed Web sites offers many more suggestions and opportunities.

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