The focus is definitely on the Arizona Trail these days. There is still much to be done in terms of preparation, route determination, mapping and then there is the Grand Canyon.
Hike or ride around? That is the question. Probably hike, but snow levels are very high this year, so it is a tough call. Meanwhile it is getting hot here in Tucson and we have a lot of low desert to cover.
I rolled out of my house at 5:30 with bike in long distance touring mode. The destination – a work event on the Arizona Trail by Colossal Cave. The aero bars were a real boone because the headwind was fierce. I actually find them a more comfortable way to ride when it’s very windy. It makes it feel less windy which makes me feel better. The fact that you go faster is just another bonus.
I pedaled across town on Broadway, then cruised Old Spanish Trail to Saguaro Park. I passed a few stunned roadies, shocked to see a mountain biker with rack, bag and aero bars passing them. On the downhill into the Rincon Valley I got blasted by pockets of arctic air. I felt the temperature in the bottoms of the washes drop 20 degrees. Still no sunlight on me, but climbing to Pistol Hill warmed me up. Heading towards Vail I now had a cross wind. I hate powerful cross winds because they are unpredictable and potentially dangerous when riding with traffic. I was a bit frazzled, but I arrived at Vail Middle school to meet up with all the folks working on the Arizona Trail.
I then discovered that the work was going to be based out of Colossal Cave itself, not from Three Bridges. I had just ridden past the Cave and braved the cross winds down into Vail. Oh well, I got in a truck back to the park.
We cut trail on a new section that I am very excited about. It was one that I had a large part in designing and pushing through. It’s awesome to see it come to fuition–and it’s going to be awesome to ride. It was slow trail building, but the crews (and crew leaders) were taking the time to do a quality job. I think it will be a popular section, so it’s worth the effort.
The brushing crews made serious headway, which is fantastic, because it means that I might be able to ride it when we do our big AZT trip. It would be too cool.
After the work I pedaled down to Posta Quemada ranch to see how hard it will be to bushwhack through the unbuilt section there. There were people all over the place for some event, but I hopped onto a horse trail, guessed which pass I was to head for and started fighting through vegetation with loaded bike. Eventually I found an old trail that led to the pass. It looked rideable downhill, so I was hopeful that I was going to the correct pass. At the top I couldn’t see any flagging or built trail, but the area did look familiar. I went based on memory and soon found some old flags. I tied some new flag up, then called it good. I rode 100% of the downhill, so I was quite happy that this route will work out just fine. It beats the heck out of riding over to Vail RD (out of the way) through the winds that always seem to blast that area.
Exciting developments in research, route and contacts are happening everyday for us on the AZT. I don’t know where it will lead for certain, I just know it’s going to be good.
I’ve started a webpage that will detail the mountain bike route for the AZT we’re determining (and will follow on our trip). It will also tell the story of our ride, have pics, maps, etc.
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