Into 12

Meanwhile, it’s 2012. After returning from the last Gila bikepacking trip I had a few hours to get organized and not nearly enough to catch some sleep before heading to the Rincon Valley for the 3rd annual AZT Jamboree.

I didn’t even make it before the 10am shuttle left, ferrying a huge group of MTBers out to ride some sweet singletrack.

“it’s all going according to plan… heh heh heh”

Chad Brown, mastermind behind the Jamboree, giving us an evil grin. He was the only one there when I arrived. We left with Pocket in tow, for some chill AZT miles.

check out the tire compression on the rear wheel!

Chill, until we started riding that rock, I guess.

photo by Chad Brown

My bead-flat from the Gila bikepack did not stay sealed.

photo by Chad Brown

Then I pinch flatted the tube I put in.

Chad and Pocket turned back and I kept rolling a little, running into several friends before finally turning around myself.

As always, it’s great to see so many people come out to support the AZT (almost $9k raised for the trail in the last 3 years) and also come out to enjoy the AZT. We hung out all day talking trail, rides and whatever else.

The next day I got the chance to test bikes with Aaron Gulley for Outside magazine. I got to ride a Cannondale Scalpel 29 (above), a Scott Spark, Niner RDO and a Diamondback FS 29er. It was interesting to ride something other than a Lenz on trails that I know well.

another double flat? no way

Unfortunately they were all set up with tubes which meant a harsher ride than I’m used to, and also lots and lots of flats.

Still, one conclusion is that riding super light bikes is FUN.

Todd Park climbing Hooligan — perfect testing grounds for new bikes.

Chad shows us that even an ultralight race bike can schralp the gnar.

Overall I decided I really like my bikes, but when racing a super light one sure would be nice.

Krista is back on the MTB, and that means I can throw technical trails and other surprises her way so I can better keep up.

Only problem is she’s killing the tech terrain. Skills are up, or maybe just adapting to the Tucson Mountains rock style. It was really cool to see her clean everything on the “inrockable” loop out at Robles.

We gave Charouleau Gap a nice solid pedal, and unfortunately the tech challenges were few and far between. I was disappointed to see how much the upper half of the road has been “nerfed” in the last year. Fortunately Cherry Tank and the midgate/deer camp loop still have plenty of rocks and tricky spots on the descent.

Yep, Tucson, it’s the place to be in January.