Hit the road: explore Utah's splendor on two wheels.

• Author: Ostermiller, Pamela
• Position: Executive Getaways

There are numerous ways to explore Utah's outdoors, but only on the back of a motorcycle can one achieve a feeling of ... possession. After being tethered to an office and corralled by the grid of the city, there's a satisfaction that comes with motorcycle touring, an affirmation in its promise: Here is the road. Own it.

Whether on a road bike, hugging the s-curves of scenic byways or a trail bike, rumbling through red rock canyons and aspen groves, motorcycle tours offer pleasing contradictions. Rough trails and luxury. Rebelliousness and civility. Release and control. The growl of an engine, the silence of wilderness.

These trips are also highly customizable. You can rent or ride your own bike. Trips can be enjoyed in any length depending on time, budget and distance. Organized tours can include lodging, meals, support vehicles and other activities, while self-guided tours include all the support information.

Nice Ride

Kelly and Kim Peacock had been riding road bikes for years, exploring Utah's wonders and traveling further and further away from home. After other riders began requesting travel tips, the Peacocks knew it was time to turn their passion into something more. In 2007, they started their touring company, Open Road Motorcycle Adventures. Today, the couple leads guests all around the Western Rockies. Their trips weave north through Yellowstone to the peaks of Glacier National Park and south, from Torrey to Escalante on Highway 12--a jaw-dropping byway Kelly says is on "the bucket list of roads."

While Open Road offers a variety of pre-organized guided tours, they can also plan a custom trip. For others, the self-guided option is the way to go. These trips still include lodging, motorcycle rental, map, directions and dining suggestions, but the rider goes it alone or with his or her own group of friends or co-workers. "You can still feel like a lone wolf maverick," says Kelly. "Yet, it's almost like having a guide."

Off the Beaten Path

For a trip that offers an escape beyond the asphalt and into the wilds, travelers can embark on an off-road motorcycle adventure. Elite Motorcycle Tours, headquartered in Moab, leads riders through some of Utah's most spectacular and remote country. Riders can truly disappear for a few days, camping under the stars 50 to 100 miles from the closest town, under the guidance of trail- and wilderness-savvy experts.

Dale Parriott founded Elite in 1997 as an expert hobbyist turned professional. As the...