Mountain Bike Tours
FALL/WINTER/SPRING MOUNTAIN BIKE T0URS
PHOENIX
Phoenix Arizona AZ State Map Average Temperatures
Phoenix is now among the 7 largest cities in America and the metropolitan area is now considered the fastest growing in the country. The great climate about 9 months out of the year, the opportunity to buy affordable housing and the offering of many outdoor activities has made Phoenix Metro a very desirable place for people from all over the world. Phoenix is blessed with over 300 sunny days. When it comes to winter riding in the nation, Phoenix is definitely your best bet. Temperatures are mild to warm during the day and rarely go below 32º F at night. However, from May 15 through Oct. 15, riding in the Phoenix area should be out of question for most of out-of-towners. Look into our Summer Rides instead. We the locals, however, have adapted to the summer heat. So we ride at dawn or after sunset with night lights.
There are at least 5 different good sites for mountain biking in the Phoenix area. However, many of them are in the middle of the city (i.e. Trail 100 in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve) sometimes going under freeways, etc. We believe that mountain bikers coming to Phoenix from far away will not appreciate spending too much time mountain biking near an urban environment. So, after much consideration, we have chosen the 2 places below to ride in the Phoenix area.
South Mountain
This is the largest municipal park in the country with more than 16,000 acres. The park contains mountain biking trails to accommodate all levels. South Mountain trails have received many reviews and high points from mountain biking critics nationwide. Depending on where you are in the park, you may hardly feel you're near a city except for the fact that you'll often encounter hikers and a fair amount of local mountain bikers. As this is an urban park, we recommend riding it on non-holidays, Monday-Friday. Overall, we felt it would be a sin not to have South Mountain as part of our offering.
- National Trail - This is considered by many the "ultimate" mountain bike trail in the Phoenix area. Bike Magazine rated it as one of the top mountain bike trails in the country. However, it is not for the faint of heart. Cosmic Ray refers to it in his mountain bike guide book as the "Teacher of Terror." Therefore, this trail is recommended only to those who absolutely love technical terrain and possess excellent handling skills. You'll also feel most comfortable riding a bike that has a good amount of dual suspension travel. The trail offers great views of the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix). You can ride out and back or connect to other trails such as Desert Classic to enjoy the best South Mountain has to offer.
Distance: 20 miles. - Desert Classic - This trail borders the southern base of South Mountain. The trail is on rolling terrain, so you'll feel like you're on a roller coaster. There are a few moderately technical spots which add some spice to the trail. Overall, this trail is very smooth and has a lot of flow. Ride it out and back for a total of approx. 18 miles. There are several smaller loops connecting to Desert Classic which can bring your total mileage closer to 25 miles. All skill levels will find this trail to be quite fun.
McDowell Mountain Park
This county park sits outside of the beautiful town of Fountain Hills (about 45 minutes northeast of Phoenix) which is famous for having one of the tallest artificial fountains in the world. The town has several bars, cafes and even a nice casino nearby. The park contains several trails which have been designed with mountain bikers in mind. Most mountain bike trails are in a loop format. The scenery here is absolutely beautiful with mountain views, tons of Saguaro cacti and dense desert vegetation and wildlife. We like this park so much that we use it as our camping grounds during our stays in the Phoenix area. You can spend 2-3 days riding here and you'll not get bored. So, if your itinerary only affords riding one place in the Phoenix area, look no further!
- Pemberton Trail - This is a relatively easy 15-mile scenic trail which has a little bit of everything for everyone. Don't get me wrong... this is not a walk in the park either! This trail is fun with several tight turns, nice short climbs and fast descents which gives it a really nice flow. It will give you a solid warm-up on both cardio and handling techniques to move on to the most challenging trails in the park best known as the "competitive loops."
- Competitive Loops - This area of the park is encompassed by 3 different trail loops all of which connect in the parking area. Many mountain bike races take place here throughout the year. You can choose your own combination of loops. We recommend riding the Long Loop first (8 miles), then the Sports Loop (3 miles) and finish with the Technical Loop (5 miles) if you still have energy. The Long Loop has short steep climbs and descents, many tight turns and jumps. There is also a rock garden that goes on for approx. 2 miles. The Technical Loop is mostly technical at the beginning with sudden drop-offs, rock gardens, etc. It then becomes a hard-packed trail with nice turns, short but challenging climbs and descents.
Other activities in Phoenix:
- Paragliding - As mountain bikers, we are in general risk-takers, thrill-seeking individuals. We have been searching for activities for our customers that they wouldn't normally do back home. Therefore, we have partnered with Paradrenalin to bring you the exciting sports of paragliding. You need to set aside about 3 hours either in the morning or late afternoon depending on the time of the year. You'll be taken from the campsite to a scenic place in the valley, where you'll be doing their "discovery flight" (tandem flight) which lasts a little over half hour. From what we hear, half hour on a paraglide seems like an eternity the first time you do it. These guys keep very busy, so you'll need to let us know at the same time you book your trip with us so we can reserve your space. There is an additional fee of $125.00 for this activity.
TUCSON
Tucson Arizona AZ State Map Average Temperatures
Compared to Phoenix, Tucson is characterized for having a layback atmosphere. The city has indeed an "old pueblo" or cowboy/Mexican feel to it. The opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are more apparent here. The city lies at the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains which rise to over 9,000 feet. The diversity of flora and wildlife here is quite extense.
- 50 Year Trail - This narrow singletrack offers a great variety of terrain from smooth and fast to rocky sections. Views are spectacular and will remind you of why you booked a trip to Arizona. Those who ride this trail normally leave with a big smile on their face due to the fun factor found here. The trail is famous for its short but really fun "Chutes", a tobagon-like section of the trail. You'll want to do it over and over before heading out.
- Fantasy Island - This desert oasis in Tucson was purposely built for mountain bikes. The mountain bike park is in a 2 squared mile area. Everyone rides in the same direction in this trail. This park has been extensively reviewed by some of the major mountain bike magazines. Everyone raves about this park with its many man-made obstacles and ingenious use of land.
Distance: 18 miles
PATAGONIA/SONOITA
AZ State Map Average Temperatures
About 1 hour south of Tucson lies this beautiful region of Arizona. The area is full of grassy rolling hills reminiscent of Napa Valley in California. In fact, this is Arizona's wine country! There are 8 different vineyards in the area, many open to the public. This area has recently become an artist colony with small nice restaurants and a few country bars. If your group would like to take a day off for wine tasting, we can arrange that.
- Kentucky Camp Trail - This is a long figure 8 trail with Kentucky camp located right in the middle. This is where we'll set up a day camp with refreshments and food. You will enjoy a varied cross-country terrain with bone-jarring descents, steep climbs, jeep roads and spectacular views. You need to be mentally ready to ride 38 miles in one day or your group may decide to split it in 2 days. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) made this place one of their "epic rides" back in 2000.
SEDONA
Sedona AZ State Map Average Temperatures
After the Grand Canyon, Sedona is the most visited place in Arizona. The area is basically a valley of giant red rocks with unique formations. The valley surface is spotted with green and lush high desert vegetation. The sky here is deep blue often accompanied by white scattered clouds. Hence, your eyes and your camera will capture very rich and colorful panoramic views. We recommend spending 2 full days here as you will find yourself stopping a lot on the first day to take pictures and to absorb the magic and spirituality of this place. The town itself offers a lot of off-the-saddle activities with a couple of microbreweries, many art galleries and souvenir shops. If you enjoy architecture, the town also gives you a good opportunity to enjoy distinctive designs of residences and commercial buildings.
As we discuss mountain biking in Sedona, one thing is for certain, most trails here are not really suitable for beginners. The topography of the area with all kinds of rock formations, ledges, drop-offs, etc. will be mostly enjoyed by intermediate to advanced riders. The trails are a combination of smooth "slickrock" very similar to what you find in Moab, and loose rock and gravel in some areas. Sedona's climate is such that it is quite pleasant from September 15th through May 15th. However, please beware that in the middle of winter (Dec. 15 thru Feb. 15th), this area can receive a fair amount of precipitation with occasional snow storms. Trips from June through August can be arranged from Flagstaff only if you're willing to get up at 5 AM for an early morning ride. Summer day time temperatures normally soar into the 100's (40C). So, no RV camping there in the summer!
- Cathedral Loop to Buddha Beach - This trail starts in the town of Oak Creek. The trail starts being non-technical the first few miles with some nice whoopee-dee-doos. It becomes more challenging as you continue. As you head down into Buddha Beach (when we get there we'll explain why it's called that way), the trail becomes steep downhill with very technical switchbacks. You'll be able to enjoy a quick snack when we get to Buddha Beach at the shores of Oak Creek. You won't feel like you're in Arizona when we get there. The last section of the trail is fun but requires more refined technical skills. This trail will be best enjoyed by intermediate to advanced riders.
Distance: 12 miles - Chicken Point (A.K.A. Broken Arrow) - This trail is definitely for those who love their ride with technical terrain, steep climbs, tight switchbacks, hairy descents and a good chunk of exposure. Another thing that makes it worthwhile is the fantastic views you get from this trail. We'll be taking a short detour to the rock formation known as Submarine Rock. This trail will be most enjoyed in a long-legged bike. This trail is definitely not for chickens!
A day off in Sedona? By the time you get to Sedona, you'll most likely have spent several days on the saddle. If that's the case and you're looking to spend some time off and plan other activities, Sedona is the right place. It's the perfect place for day hikes experiencing the various vortex (places said to have "universal energy"), taking photographs, strolling town for Arizona handcrafts, arts & souvenirs. Oh, let's not forget balloon rides! Sedona, in our opinion, is the best place for a balloon ride in Arizona. A balloon ride can be arranged for an additional $200.00. Let us know in advance if this is of interest to you and we will arrange reservations.
PRESCOTT
Prescott Arizona AZ State Map Average Temperatures
The historical town of Prescott, which was once the state's capital, offers great mountain biking opportunities. The landscape here is a combination of high desert, grasslands and ponderosa forest. Prescott gives the opportunity to enjoy mountain biking during the day and go out to spend a night on the town. It has great cowboy-style bars, old-style cafes and beautiful Victorian architecture. The weather here is almost perfect year-round, one of the reasons why this town has become quite popular with transplants from Phoenix and California. However, December through February can be quite nippy there with frequent snowfalls. Summer temperatures are pleasantly warm and rarely get to be unbearable. Day-time highs are in the 80's (27-30C) in the afternoons but it will cool off quite nicely at night, making morning rides very pleasant. We can accommodate other activities while you visit Prescott. For example, you can spend an afternoon kayaking in Watson Lake with its moonscape-like surroundings known as Granite Dells. Most of the trails in this area are located at a short distance from downtown Prescott.
- Granite Basin - This park has several interconnecting trails. You can spend the whole day riding here going from one trail to the next. The trails are overall smooth and they can get fast and furious with berms, quick turns and jumps. This area will be enjoyed by all type of riders from beginner to advanced. A couple of trails are more technically inclined but not severe by any means. There's a small fishing lake at the heart of the park.
Distance: 10-20 miles - Trail 305 - This trail can be ridden in one morning or afternoon. There are a couple of trails that interconnect to make it a little longer. This trail is fast in some areas but peppered with some tight turns and switchbacks which will slow you down considerably but add to the flavor of this trail. You will be riding most of the time under a canopy of ponderosa trees. The trail passes near a large lake which may be used for RV camping. Kayaking and fishing available here.
Distance: 10-15 miles
