I rode South along the Santa Cruz river, enjoying a blaster of a tailwind. I knew that the trail does not exist for an extended section, but decided to attempt to follow it anyway.
I saw ATV trails, surprisingly fun ATV trails. I passed by a very active homeless camp with piles of garbage surrounding it. I climbed with vigor back onto the banks of the Santa Cruz. After passing several motor homes waving American flags (presumably with the homeless of the and perhaps homeless as well) and blasting generators, I popped out onto Ajo road and saw the trail continuing once again. Kids were riding BMX bikes, moms out jogging with kids–what a contrast to the river just a few hundred feet north of there.
The trail ended again but I had a vague impression that this was where I needed to be. A while later the street signs confirmed I was on Irvington. A mile or two brought me to the community pool.
After waiting for the always tardy Steve A, I hopped back on my bike to explore the dirt trails leaving the property. A loop or two later I saw Steve’s truck in the parking lot.
Eventually Chris, Jon and Harry showed up, all complaining about traffic. We studied the maps, listened to Steve’s plan, then headed out to the property to have a look. The area in question is between Ajo and Irvington, directly south of Tucson Mountain Park. I rode around here a few years ago and noted that it was county owned land, hoping it would turn into a rideable area. It’s a magnificent area, especially given how close it is to Tucson. Yet, when you’re in the main valley it’s hard to tell you’re anywhere near a city.
I had thought I’d do a quick loop with Harry (and maybe Jon) at TMP afterwards, then ride home, but he said there was a ‘real’ night ride going on at G5, heading for Brown Mountain! Brown Mountain? At night?
I’ve rarely heard of people riding Brown Mtn during the day, let alone at night (indeed I have never ridden it in the dark). I couldn’t resist the opportunity.
13 people showed up for the ride. With a group that large there were bound to be slow downs, but most were mitigated by Dave Milne taking us up the climb to the Saguaro NP boundary. It was a nice climb, and a worthy diversion.
We hit the Juan Santa Cruz picnic area, where I learned only Harry and I had ever ridden the trail before. The group was composed of solid riders, but Brown Mountain is a ‘different’ kind of trail.
I ended up in front, which was good, since the mental dab counter was reset in the wash, as usual. Depsite the fact that everyone was well behind me and could not tell if I dabbed or not, I couldn’t escape feeling a bit of pressure. Every time I looked back I saw bobbing lights. After a while I saw nothing behind me. I was flustered and should have ridden with more caution. But Brown is a challenge that requires a strong effort. I had vague thoughts of meeting my daylight dab record.
It soon became clear that this was not going to happen. I noticed that I rely on information that is not available at night. Specifically, I watch for features on the trail that my front tire has already cleared or is currently clearing. With a handlebar light those features disappeared, so my prediction of upcoming weight shifts or power strokes was consistently off. This resulted in an unnecessary dab or two and a major lack of confidence.
The blasting wind, my friend on the ride out, was making things challenging at on the ridgelines as well. Brown is often windy, and on a blaster day like today, it can be unbearable up there. It definitely contributed to my ‘flustered’ feeling & lack of confidence. It was odd to have no bearing while on the trail. Usually the views are awesome–to both sides. A few times I forgot which way I was going and had to rely lights & cars below to re-orient. A bizzare sensation, no doubt.
Hopping around switchbacks was very difficult. I couldn’t see where I was jumping. After a few switchbacks I was teaching myself to memorize the rock patterns as I approached, but this is a mostly new skill to me. I could not nail quite a few of the switchys on the last descent. 4 dabs there, and 4 on uphill in various places = 8 dabs. None too shabby for at night, but I could have done better, especially with a helmet mounted light.
I waited for quite a while before the crew assembled at the bottom of the wash. I was getting cold. Watching the lights switchback their way down the switchbacks of the last descent created a cool effect, though.The trail was a bit over the top for a few, not surprisingly, but the whine meter was not off the chart, fortunately.
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