Canelo Trailwork

Paula and I headed down to Canelo Pass to put some muscle into a piece of Arizona Trail that badly needs it: Canelo East.

This was a rare work event in that trail hero (and segment steward) Zay Hartigan packed in tools to the work site. That meant that Lee and I could ride there, and Paula could run. Hard to pass up an opportunity like that.

There wasn’t an abundance of riding going from the pass up to the spine of the Canelo Hills. A little hike-a-bike (and threshold work when riding) never hurt anyone.

We had a great crew, 9 strong, and everyone worked hard. The climb up from Middle Canyon is still a beast, and I’m not going to say that a lot of what we rerouted and rehabbed is rideable. I’ll say it’s more hikeable, potentially more rideable and definitely more sustainable. It should hurt a little less come AZT 300 time. We made some good improvements, but Canelo East still has a long ways to go for sustainability and rideability / fun factor.

It does have some righteous views, cool rocks and plentiful challenge. It’s mountain biking, ya know? Lee digs it.

It was a great day. I don’t get out to the Canelos much, usually only once a year at AZT 300 time, so it was a nice treat to enjoy a day out there.

On the drive back I had an impatient driver tailgating for a few minutes. This happens all the time, I know, especially to me since I prefer pushing limits on a bike, not in a car (though I was going just over the speed limit at the time). When this “yet another driver in a hurry” passed she flashed her brights and swerved closely around just to show her displeasure at being slowed (this on a twisty 2 lane highway out in the sticks).

She quickly disappeared and I didn’t think much of it until I saw flashing lights ahead. “No way, is she getting pulled over? That never happens.” We trailed the police lights for several minutes to where there was a shoulder, and sure enough when we passed it was her, looking even more displeased. So much for being in a hurry.