Catching up for the tail end of "Summer"

Nothing big as of late.  Quick rides at Hawes and Papago/Tempe Town Lake/ASU and a trip to Prescott.  Despite 3 days in a row of 110+ in September, the temps are starting to break and the monsoons have been out in force.  Getting ready for Moab in a few weeks and ramp up the mileage in the valley this fall/winter.  

-Ryan

Not as Planned

We talked, Kenny was free, a plan was developed.  I crashed on their couch Friday way to late, up and rolling to late.  Got to Flagstaff, loaded the Bikepacking gear and started towards a southbound AZT ride.  Hoping to make the Schnebly Hill Overlook, but expecting the Mormon Lake area.  Ominous clouds were in the area, but hoping for the best.  Climbed up onto Anderson Mesa when the rain started on us.  Tried to continue on, but there wasn't much hope in sight.  So we turned around, down the loose rocks and switchbacks, then climbed up the other side of the canyon to Lake Mary Rd, warmed and dried up in a small sunny spot before high tailing it back to the car.  

Then off to Preskitt for the night and mañana.  

Stayed at the Prescottonian, decent Mexican food, good breakfast buffet, then a fast ride on Trail 305.  

-Ryan

Prescott is Calling

Last week, while discussing our ride options, I noticed the Sedona forecast seemed unseasonably comfy with highs of 82-83.  So away Kenny and I went on Sunday morning.  Pulled into a likely starting spot, got out of the car and had negative thoughts towards the weather guessers.  It had climbed over 90 already and it wasn't even 11:00.  Screw that, it's under 80 and not far to Preskitt.  On the road again, until 17 was backed up and led to the option of thru Jerome and over Mingus Mtn.  Finally, lets ride from Thumb Butte towards Granite Basin.  Great ride, great weather, great dinner at Prescott Brewing Co.  And by official decree in a unanimous 2-0 vote, I'm now the Designated Route Picker and Navigator of the SMBA AZ Chapter.

Another week of work in the bag, but Kenny has taken off on the KLR to explore the Rockies with his dad, so all alone I am.  And back to Prescott I am.  

Not in the mood for Lynx Lake, found a crowd of bikes and horses at White Spar, so again to Thumb Butte.  Headed south on the miniMonsterCross course until getting to the intersection of the Whiskey and megaMonsterCross.  Decided to head West and backwards on the Mega route and see how it went.  Reached a peak just before the next split that got just over 7000', which made me realize it had only been 6.25 miles and gone up 1200' already.  Mostly rideable and enjoyable.  Impressive views of Skull Valley.  Down and up, down and up, down and up.  Some riding, some HAB, one sidewall tear that required a tube on a rocky descent.  Finally popped out to some forest roads that would tie into getting back to the truck.  11 miles to get upto 7300' in 2.5 hours.  Then back down to the start in 4 miles/30 minutes.

-Ryan

McDowell Bypasses

Decided on some chunky climbing on the McDowell Mtns for Saturday.  Also had gotten notice of a climb day on Sunday.  So I was up early, swapped the gears back on the bike and started the ride in Scottsdale at 8.  Long way around on Desert Park to Windgate Pass.  More pedal than HAB, yeah.  Down to the junction, and up to Bell Pass.  My first time and that is tough.  Actually riding a little bit a quarter mile from the top when my left pedal got tight.  Stopped and found the end cap missing, found it and reinstalled, but it came right back out, oh well, that was the end of my old style eggbeaters :(.  Over the top and bounced my way back to the truck by 10:30.

Then Sunday EARLY.  Up at 4:20, gone at 4:45, Kenny's at 5:30, loaded into Tim Reed's truck and heading for Mt Ord.  We got started on climbing up the road, ok at first, but that changed quickly.  Extruding clay/sand/rock mud thru the clearances between the tires and frames is not easy.  

So, back down we went and plan b was enacted down to the McDowell Mountain Park to find a hose and some rideable trails.  Started up the Sport Loop, then found our way over to Pemberton.  But I was feeling spunky and ambitious.  So I decided to head over the McD's again and ride back to Kenny's and my truck.  Plan C in action.  Up Dixie Mine, Up Prospector, and Up over Bell Pass again.  It started warm, then up into the cloud cover over the peaks.  At 2900' it started to sprinkle, then hard briefly, before tailing off again.  At 3100' (32XX' is the pass summit), lightning strike about a mile away, ruhroh.  Guess I need to boogie right over the top and start down, BUT the bottom dropped out right at the top.  Not much choice, so down the Bell Pass "River" and out to the Gateway Trailhead.  Looking west near the bottom cliched the decision to bail, it was DARK, all across Phoenix.  So called up Kenny who has just started into Fountain Hills for a retrieval.  That was Wild and Fun!

-Ryan

A whole lotta WIN!

Kenny and I rolled up to Prescott for a cool ride today.  Started from White Spar Campground, and followed the AES miniMonsterCross course backwards up Wolverton Mtn and down to Thumb Butte Rd before high tailing it thru town and back to the car.  The climb and start of the decent ended up in the mist/rain with thunder in the background.  Not a usual AZ ride condition, but quite a relief. I only snapped a few pics at one break spot...

Post ride lunch was found with some tasty sandwiches at Park Plaza Liquor & Deli.  Quite the hidden gem.  While finishing up, I checked up on Twitter and found some negative traffic info.  I-17 had been shutdown just north of Black Canyon City, then one lane (shoulder) open with a 5 mile backup; then 8; then 15; finally 20+ mile backup on the only legitimate route home.  At least without going WAY out of the way.  

But, we are resourceful, explorative, like minded buds...what about dropping down thru Bumble Bee from Mayer via Crown King Rd.  Lotsa washboard dirt road, but the Jetta has done it before.  So a plan was formulating.  The only hitch was the wreck/closure was still a mile or two south of the Crown King Rd exit/onramp; well we've ridden Maggie Mine Rd right into BCC.  A potential victorious plan had been laid out, but could the Jetta loaded with 2 guys and 2 bikes make it.  

Maggie Mine is not a maintained road.  Numerous sections of exposed bedrock, deep ruts washed across the road, loose baby head rocks.  Patience/smoothness/and a calm experienced "professional" offroader behind the wheel were the final keys to the ultimate win.  The undercarriage was scrapped a few times, the bike rack took several hard hits, but we made it unscathed with no loss of road worthiness.  1.5 hours from Prescott Valley to Black Canyon City to avoid a unknown LONG unmoving 20 mile backup.  That is WINNING!  

And I almost took the truck today :doh:

-Ryan

HOT

It's been Hot and slow lately.  But here is a review and small photo dump...

Check the time stamp at the top

A saguaro in my front yard with some blooms and the monster moon in the morning 

My new Twinzer in it's raw state.  Currently at the coater getting the semi translucent Black Smoke before coming to me

A truck ride up thru Cave Creek, Seven Springs, across the Verde at Old Sheep's Bridge, and near Horseshoe Lake

-Ryan