Kreechan, Robo and I headed to Tucson for MLK weekend to check out some new AZ dirt. Phoenix had been the plan, but Robo really wanted to hit Tucson and would not be able to make a trip later on.
Maybe it was the suggestion of a 35mi ride for Saturday, or endless flow and chunk Sunday, but Robo had a change of heart by Saturday morning and pulled up lame with an apparent bout of debilitating fake back pain
. He skipped out on the first plane out of town, abandoning his beloved Ibis Mojo SL like a used kleenex as well as his stash of Stone IPA. He did not expect to see any of these again.Saturday's ride would be to join a fundraising ride for the Arizona Trail Association, a 35 mile point to point shuttle from south of town back into Tucson. While it is a shuttle, there would be 3800 feet of climbing among 5500 feet of descent. From what we heard last year's event drew maybe 15 people. Thanks to the wonders of facebook this year's event drew over 120 people and raised well over $4k for the ATA. A ton of flowing trail and meeting some cool people made this a great day of riding.
Kreechan prepares to help load a shuttle vehicle
One of the ride organizers (light blue) gives a speech. This guy is responsible for much of the trail we'd ride this day.
We hit the trail. Jeep trail gives quickly way to double track and then singletrack
We started in grassland at around 5000 feet
Wide open terrain offered incredible views
Whiskers finished the ride. They actually fed her gu to keep her energy up
Distant mountains
Kreechan rolls a switchback
The first 15mi or so had lots of undulating terrain, much of the trail was loose, being fairly new construction.
Some more climbing.
And then descending. While we descended a net 1700 feet it did not feel like it - there were no sustained descents and they were not high speed due to frequent switchbacks and loose trail surface. It was a great ride, however, fun stuff.
Another switchback
And some more descent
Cactus replaces grass as we get to lower elevations
The trail down here is older and more bedded in, so we are able to increase cruising speed
The view opens up as we traverse
We begin climbing in and out of washes
More rock appears. The most technical parts of trail appeared in the last few miles
Shadows get long as we near the end
A ripping descent gives us a chance to rest tired legs
Cactus impressive in late afternoon light
A short steep climb, be careful to stay on the trail
A brief rest then more climbing
Final leg
Finish with beers and bbq with the other riders
We met some of the organizers of the event at the BBQ. Great people, and great ambassadors for MTB who are dedicated to their local trails. If only SD could be as progressive. Having AZ Trail nearby would be like being able to ride PCT...imagine that
