BUILD.RIDE.PROTECT

Biking Book Recommendations During the Pandemic

Compiled by SDMB board member Kirk Astroth

So, you’re holed up, it's hotter than Hades, sheltering in place and trying to stay away from the respiratory cloud of other outdoor enthusiasts. But you’re still missing biking, right? So why not curl up on the couch or patio with a good book about biking? SDMB has got you covered with some great recommendations that will take your mind off these crazy times and keep you from being bored.

Want to grab one of these books?  We'd appreciate it if you kept your money local by supporting a Tucson business like Antigone Books or Bookman's.  Local businesses are essential to a thriving and diverse community, and they need our support now more than ever.  If you can't find the book you want locally and want to purchase online, please consider Amazon Smile and choose SDMB as your charity so that a portion of the purchase price comes back to help us build and maintain trails!

· Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike, by Grant Petersen (2012). The author worked in retail with bikes for years and was a racer. He wrote this book primarily to counter racing’s bad influence on biking and to encourage people to jettison the influences of racing that make your bike riding less fun. Among his messages: Don’t wear ridiculous outfits just to ride your bike; Don’t suffer in the name of speed; Don’t ride bikes that don’t make sense for you. He covers everything from helmets, pedals, riding techniques and upkeep. Spoiler alert: He wears plaid longsleeve shirts when riding.

· Into Thick Air: Biking to the Bellybutton of Six Continents, by Jim Malusa (2008). Malusa is a Tucson-based writer who was oddly influenced by Jon Krakauer’s book, Into Thin Air. Malusa decides to do the opposite—venture to the world’s lowest places and the thickest air. Armed with plenty of sunscreen, water and a sleeping bag, this book chronicles his 6 year anti-summit adventures to the Dead Sea, he rode his bike from Tucson to Death Valley, and the lowest points on four other continents (Antartica was left out for obvious reasons). Well-written, humorous and entertaining, you can’t wait to read about his next venture.

· The Coyote's Bicycle: The Untold Story of Seven Thousand Bicycles and the Rise of a Borderland Empire, by Kimball Taylor (2016). Taylor has mainly written about surfing, but when he stumbled upon large piles of used bicycles near the border in San Diego, he was determined to find out why they were there. He ends up unveiling a complicated web of intrigue and scheming involving more than 7,000 bikes that are used by migrants to cross the border, but then the bikes end up in US prisons, in the US military, Hollywood and the black market. All run by one man—El Negro and his shadowy accomplice Indio from Oaxaca.

· Eat, Sleep, Ride: How I Braved Bears, Badlands, and Big Breakfasts in My Quest to Cycle the Tour Divide, by Pau Howard (2011). This book recounts the author’s experience riding in the Continental Divide race in 2010 from Canada to Mexico, the longest mountain bike ride in the world—over 2,700 miles and 500 miles longer than the Tour de France and with the equivalent elevation gain of 7 Mt. Everests. And the guy has never ridden a mountain bike before although to be fair he did ride in the Tour. Well-written and humorous with hand-drawn maps of his route. You won’t be able to put this book down.

· The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance, by David Herlihy (2010). The author chronicles the story of Frank Lenz from Pittsburgh who in 1892 set out to cycle around the world on a new-fangled kind of bicycle with inflatable tires. Two years later and after surviving countless disasters and travails, he disappeared in Turkey on his approach to the end in Europe. His disappearance sparked a world outrage and reporters were sent out to find out what happened to Lenz.

· Full Tilt: From Ireland to India with a Bicycle, by Dervla Murphy (1987). In 1963, this young woman set off, alone, on a bike to ride to the base of the Himalayas. She took minimal support gear and hardly any food, counting on the goodness of people along the way. She had an incredible experience, particularly in Afghanistan where she had to disguise herself as a man so she could pass through rural villages. (Aside: If you like this book, you should read some of her numerous other books of adventure. She is the definition of “intrepid.”)

· It’s All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels, by Robert Penn (2011). Lance Armstrong might has suggested that it was NOT about the bike, but Penn disagrees. He has pedaled nearly every day of his adult life and traveled over 25,000 miles on a bike. Finally, he decided he need to build the “perfect bike” that he would ride for the rest of his life. This book is about his epiphany about biking wherein he explores the culture, science, and history of the bicycle. It explains why we bike. A very entertaining and informing book about all the components of why great bikes are great.

· Ultimate High: My Everest Odyssey, by Goran Kropp (1997). Kropp was a 35-year old Swede who always wanted to climb Mt. Everest, so he set out in 1995 from Sweden on his bike, riding all the way to Nepal and the base of Mount Everest. He summited without oxygen, almost died on the summit, and then biked home to write about it all. Sadly, Kropp died in a rock-climbing accident in eastern Washington state in 2002.

· No Shit! There I was....A Collection of Wild Stories From Wild People, by Michael Hodgson (1994). Hodgson has collected a variety of short humorous essays and stories about adventure and misadventure. All pieces were submitted as part of a writing contest and includes the best stories.

Photo credit: Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder

Mountain Biking During the Pandemic Part 2: Gravel Grinding

Ok, so you want to be a responsible citizen and practice effective social distancing but want to keep riding?  Awesome.  Here in Southern Arizona we’re really fortunate to have 450+ miles of non-Wilderness singletrack, so there are plenty of ways to spread out and avoid the crowds.  In our last blog post we discussed some of the “lesser-traveled” trails around Tucson that are fun to explore and unlikely to be crowded.  For this blog post we’re going to share a couple of gravel routes; higher-mileage rides that use dirt roads instead of trails.  Gravel grinding is an awesome way to cover a lot of ground, explore new areas, and build fitness.  It’s also a great option for beginner riders, less-confident riders, and those coming from a road riding background, as by and large dirt roads are less technical (but not always!).  Southern Arizona has literally thousands of miles of dirt roads in both the low desert and the mountains, so you can move up or down in elevation depending on the weather.

To get the dirt on gravel routes, we reached out to a few of our local gravel grinder race/event promoters: the Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder (MLGG) and the Spirit World 100.  The MLGG takes place in October of each year and takes riders from the 3C Ranch in Oracle up Mt. Lemmon and through the San Pedro River Valley on 40, 50, and 60-mile routes.  SDMB is a nonprofit beneficiary of the MLGG, so a portion of all sponsorships and race fees benefit local trail projects!  The Spirit World 100 is Southern Arizona’s newest gravel race, and it takes riders on a 50 and 100-mile route based out of Patagonia.  The event is coordinated by The Cyclists’s Menu, which offers fully-catered cycling camps with amazing food courtesy of chef Zander Ault.

Exploration is one of the best parts of any ride, whether it's on singletrack or a back dirt road.  You don't need to follow an established route to have a blast.  Two great starting points are Charleau Gap Rd. in Catalina and Redington Rd. to the east of Tucson.  Both roads are also popular with OHV users, especially on weekends, so avoid peak days/hours.

Given the distances that most gravel routes cover, it’s pretty likely that you will be driving there and stopping in small towns like Oracle and Patagonia.  At this point we are all hopefully practicing social distancing, washing our hands, wearing masks, etc to help flatten the curve and end the COVID-19 outbreak.  When traveling from one area to another, or from a city to a small town, please make sure to do the following:

• Do your research!  Some small outdoor towns are specifically requesting that folks not go there to avoid stressing their already-limited medical resources (Moab, UT for example).  If a town says “don’t come here” please respect that!
• Support the local economy, but do so in a respectful and responsible way.  Buy a tank of gas, get take-out from a local restaurant, but make sure to avoid unnecessary exposure!  Make sure to wear gloves and a mask and keep that 6-foot distance going.  Remember, the concern here is you infecting the locals, not vice-versa.
• Be Prepared and Practice “Leave No Trace”.  Even though we’re in a pandemic, Leave No Trace principles still apply.  Bring what you need and take all your waste home with you.  Remember, most developed recreation services (including restrooms) are closed, so now is a great time to read up on how to go potty outside (hint… bring a trowel/shovel, TP, and hand sanitizer).  LNT has great information on their website about LNT ethics and practices and outdoor recreation during the pandemic.  GO HERE FOR MORE LNT INFORMATION
• Don’t Be a Victim!  It’s never a good time to need a rescue or a trip to the emergency room, but now is an especially bad time.  Ride within your limits, pack everything you need, and manage any unnecessary risks.  Local emergency responders and medical professionals have much bigger concerns than treating your concussion or heat exhaustion because you sent it too hard. 

Gravel Grinder Routes

Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder

The MLGG course has 40, 50, and 60-mile options.  All routes technically start and finish at the 3C Ranch, but a good alternate start/finish is just past the ranch at the turn-off for Peppersauce Campground.  While the MLGG is technically a gravel route, the Mt. Lemmon Control Road is steep, bumpy, and often has loose rock so while you can ride it on a gravel or CX bike, a hardtail 29er is the weapon of choice for most riders.  The MLGG course has a low elevation of 3,000 ft. and a high elevation of 8,000 ft. (for the 60 Grind) so be prepared for a wide variety of temperatures.  No matter which route you choose, the views of the Catalina and Galiuro Mountains are spectacular and the diversity of plants (Saguaros all the way up to Ponderosa Pines) on the course is second to none.

GO HERE FOR MLGG ROUTE INFORMATION

Spirit World 100

Based out of Patagonia, AZ the Sprit World 100 has 50 and 100-mile routes.  These are more “traditional” gravel routes that can be ridden on a gravel/CX bike or a mountain bike.  Both the 50 and 100-mile routes are between 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation, and cross high desert grasslands and the Patagonia, Huachuca, and Mule Mountains and the Canelo Hills.  It’s proximity to the US/Mexico border makes the Spirit World 100 an interesting ride. 

GO HERE FOR SPIRIT WORLD 100 ROUTE INFORMATION

Other Gravel Grinding Resources and Suggestions

The Dirty Freehub

The Dirt Freehub is a national website that features curated and vetted gravel routes in each state.  They have detailed map and elevation information for all routes.

GO HERE TO SEE ARIZONA GRAVEL ROUTES ON THE DIRTY FREEHUB

From SDMB Board Member Kirk Astroth

SDMB’s own Kirk Astroth is an avid explorer of random dirt roads and backcountry routes, many of which feature interesting historical and archeological features.  Read on for a list of some of his favorite gravel rides.  You’ll have to do your own map and wayfinding research for these, which just makes it more of an adventure!

• Samaniego Hills, Ironwood Forest National Monument. Bikes are not allowed on trails in national monuments, but you can ride the roads. This 13-20 mile set of loops takes you through a little-explored area called the Samaniego Hills east of the Silverbell Mine.

• Silverbell Mine Loop. I have been on this loop that goes behind the Silverbell Mine to the west. Lots of wash crossings and roller coaster-like. There are old cemeteries along the way although you can’t visit the old Silverbell ghost town since it is on the mine’s private property. Start at the end of Avra Valley Road near the gate to the mine and ride the gravel road where the sign says “Red Rock” 25 miles. Look for an amazing sagauro cactus along the paved access road with a number of arms. Ride as far as you want, or for a really long ride, go all the way to the Silverbell Road intersection with Sasco Road, ride south to the Avra Valley Road, and head back to where you started.

• Malpais Hill Loop. This loop circumnavigates Malpais Hill, a prominent, lone black outcrop west of the Silverbell Road NW of the mine.

• Sonoran Desert National Monument.

• San Pedro River Trail. (All Trails app has a complete map of this trail system)
• • Option 1. There is a nice stretch of 14 miles of bike trail along the San Pedro River, one of the last running rivers in Arizona. The San Pedro National Conservation Area is popular with hikers, bikers and bird watchers. To ride the trail, most people start at the San Pedro House trailhead located nine miles east of Sierra Vista on AZ 90 where the highway crosses the river. Look for the obvious visitor center and huge cottonwood trees. From here, you can obtain a map and ride either north or south. Right now, because of COVID-19, the visitor center is closed, but you can obtain a map and more information here: http://sanpedroriver.org/wpfspr/about-the-friends/
  • Option 2. The San Pedro trail goes through a variety of archaeological sites, including Murray Springs which is where they found a mammoth kill site dating to 11,000 years ago and Clovis spear points. For a shorter ride, you can access this site and do a 6.5 mile loop by driving to Monson Road, 1.2 miles north of the turnoff to Monson from AZ 90 (the highway from Sierra Vista and Bisbee).
• Option 3. Another historic site along this trail is the Spanish Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate. The ruins here are some of the most intact examples of a string of Spanish missions and presidios that stretched through Arizona. To access this site, go to Fairbanks where AZ 82 crosses the San Pedro River, drive about two miles west on AZ 82, and then turn right (north) on Kellar Ranch Road. The trailhead is about three miles north of this intersection. The ruins are about two miles in from the trail head. Once there, you can ride south on the San Pedro River Trail.

Mountain Biking During The Pandemic

Unless you live under a really large rock, on the Moon, with no connection to media of any sort, you probably know that we’re experiencing a global pandemic.  In a matter of months COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we live, shop, work, and of course recreate.  We all want to do our part to contain the spread and flatten the curve, but we also want to get out and ride!  SDMB has covered ways to stay safe and practice social distancing in an earlier blog post; GO HERE TO READ MORE.

The short and sweet version of how to practice social distancing and be responsible while riding is:

• Ride alone or with people you live with.
• Maintain as much space as possible (up to 60 feet!) between you and other trail users. 
• Stay home if you have ANY respiratory symptoms.
• Ride mellow and avoid unnecessary risks that might lead to an ER trip.
• Avoid crowded trails and trailheads.
• Ride on non-peak days and hours if possible (night rides, anyone?).
• When riding alone, tell someone where you’re going and check out/in with them before and after your ride.
• Be self-sufficient by bringing all the water and tools you need and making sure your bike is well-maintained.  Remember, most of the bike shops in town are still open if you need parts or service!
• Know where you are!  Now is not a good time to get lost and need rescue.  Make sure that you know your route and have a good mapping app on your phone.  We suggest Trailforks and MTB Project, as they have comprehensive maps and don’t require cell service (once you’ve downloaded the app).

Now that we all know how to stay safe and distant, where do we ride?  Especially on weekends, trail systems like Fantasy Island, Honeybee, and Starr Pass, and Sweetwater are seeing record numbers of users, with full parking lots and crowded trails.  Fortunately, in Pima County alone we have more than 450 miles of non-Wilderness singletrack, and so much more if you factor in southern Pinal County and northern Cochise County.

We’ve started a list of suggested “less-traveled” trails and trail systems within an hour(ish) drive of Tucson.  This is a great opportunity to go check out some new trails…  who knows, you might find your new favorite!  While these are mostly “front-country” rides that present minimal risk to experienced rides, please make sure to practice common sense by bringing everything you might need, avoiding excessive heat, and riding withing your comfort zone.

Do you have suggestions to add to the list?  Email trailsteward@sdmb.org and we’ll add them!

Arizona National Scenic Trail

The 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail is truly a national treasure, and we’re privileged to have it right outside of Tucson.  The AZT can be your go-to if you want to do long XC rides in a variety of climates and landscapes.

East of Tucson

Italian Trap: The “Italian Trap” section of the AZT runs about 2 miles south from Redingon Rd, and can be done as an out and back or turned into a loop using dirt roads.  For bonus points, ride/hike-a-bike another 3 miles each way to the Wilderness boundary for a fast rip back down.

GO HERE FOR ITALIAN TRAP TRAIL INFO 

Bellota Lake to top of Milagrosa:  Head north on the AZT from Redington Rd. to Bellota Lake.  From there you can continue over to the top of Milagrosa as an out and back or make a loop on dirt roads.  Good loop options incorporate Bellota Ranch Rd. and the ATV trail.

GO HERE FOR BELLOTA TRAIL INFO

North of Tucson

Lots of option in the Oracle area!  Cody Loop, Oracle State Park, and Tiger Mine are all good options.  Additional loop options can be found in Oracle State Park

Good Access Points: American Flag TH, American Avenue TH, and the intersection of the AZT/SR-77 (limited parking).  At this point (4/10/20), Oracle State Park is still open.

GO HERE FOR ORACLE TRAIL INFO 

South/East of Tucson

Pick a trailhead and ride south as far as you want!  A good access point is at SR-83 at Sahuarita Rd.  Other options include Lakes Rd. (Twin Tanks) or Rosemont Junction. 

Box Canyon area: Park at the Box Canyon TH, ride the AZT and explore the dirt roads in the Santa Rita Mtns.

Please note that the Gabe Zimmerman trailhead is popular with riders, hikers, and equestrian users.  Probably best to avoid on peak days/times.

GO HERE FOR LAS CIENEGAS TRAIL INFO

Kentucky Camp/Gardner Canyon

The AZT runs through Kentucky Camp/Gardner Canyon area, and there are miles of dirt roads to make loops.  You can even find running water!  Check out the IMBA Epic route and the Arizona Endurance Series route.

GO HERE FOR KENTUCKY CAMP TRAIL INFO

McKenzie Ranch XC Race Venue

We’re a little partial to McKenzie Ranch because, well, we built it!  The McKenzie area has 13 miles of fast flowy trail (including Hohokam Trail), that’s beginner-friendly and easy to follow.  There are several loop options to shorten it up (or do multiple laps for more miles!) and as another directional system it will be easier to practice social distancing.

GO HERE FOR MCKENZIE RANCH TRAIL INFO

Green Valley Area

Elephant Head Mountain Bike Route 

Elephant Head was one of the original MTB routes in Southern Arizona, and offers spectacular views of the Elephant Head formation on the western end of the Santa Ritas.  It's old-school!  For bonus points link up to Mt. Hopkins and Madeira Canyon via dirt and paved roads.

GO HERE FOR ELEPHANT HEAD TRAIL INFO

West Desert Trails 

With more than 30 miles of low-desert XC riding, the West Desert Trails have a variety of loop options for riders of all ability levels.  Please note that the trails are on land owned by Freeport McMoRan mining company and a permit is required.  GO HERE TO GET YOUR PERMIT

GO HERE FOR WEST DESERT TRAILS INFO

Tucson Mountain Park West

There are great trails on the west side of Tucson Mountain Park too!  Trails like Golden Gate, Prospector, Ironwood, and Caliche Flats offer a variety of riding experiences and are generally less crowded.  Brown Mountain is a great option for more experienced riders, but may have increased hiker traffic.  Best parking options are any of the numbered pull-offs along Gates Pass Rd. and Kinney Rd..  Based on reports, probably best to steer clear of Ironwood Picnic Area, Gilbert Ray, and King’s Canyon trailhead.

GO HERE FOR TMP WEST TRAIL INFO 

Casa Grande Mtn Park

Casa Grande is only an hour away, and there’s a great trail system up there!  There are plenty of options with beginner, intermediate, and advanced options, and easy access from the I-10.  Please note that Casa Grande Mountain is extremely exposed so go earlier as it gets hotter.

GO HERE FOR CASA GRANDE TRAIL INFO

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Course

Everybody’s favorite place to ride laps in the desert with 2,000 of their closest friends!  The 24HOP Course offers a mellow 16-mile XC loop.  It’s a directional loop too, so even better for social distancing.  To add some flavor, ride Bones and Painter Boy, two trails that make an awesome loop that connects to the course. 

Please note that the 24HOP Course is on AZSLD land, so a permit is required. GO HERE TO GET YOUR AZSLD PERMIT

GO HERE FOR 24HOP TRAIL INFO

Cobre Ridge, Arivaca

Cobre Ridge probably wins the “Way Out” award, and you’re unlikely to see another soul on this 16-mile loop south of Tucson near the Mexican border.  It’s a little higher in elevation at 4,500 feet, so will be a bit cooler than areas closer to Tucson.

GO HERE FOR COBRE RIDGE TRAIL INFO

Sierra Vista Trails

If you’ve never explored the Huachuca Mountains outside of Sierra Vista, you’re in for a treat. The Sky Islands range has a great mix of grasslands, chaparral, and Ponderosa Pine forests.  And it’s cooler than Tucson!  Brown Canyon and Carr Canyon both provide mixes of singletrack and doubletrack, and make for a great day of riding.

GO HERE FOR SIERRA VISTA TRAIL INFO

Chiva Falls

Located in the Rincon Mountains and accessed via Redington Rd., Chiva Falls is a rare waterfall in the desert.  With all of the snow and rain this winter Chiva is flowing nicely, and should be running for a while.  This ride consists mainly of jeep roads so you’ll probably see some OHV’s (wave and say "Hi!"), but the roads are fun and the falls are well-worth the trip.  You can also check out Frog Hollow, a good summertime swimming hole, and link up the Upper Chiva route or head up to the Italian Trap section of the AZT.

GO HERE FOR CHIVA FALLS TRAIL INFO

Golden Gate Road, Saguaro National Park

This newly-closed section of dirt road in Saguaro National Park West runs from Picture Rocks Rd. to the Sendero Esperanza trailhead, about 3 miles each way.  The length and beginner-friendly nature of this ride makes it a great one to take the kids on.  To extend your outing, hike up to check out the petroglyphs on Signal Hill.  Please note that bikes are not permitted on singletrack in Saguaro National Park.  Please respect all directions and signage.

GO HERE FOR GOLDEN GATE ROAD INFO

Mt. Graham, Pinaleno Mountains

Mt. Graham is a bit farther away than an hour, but at 10,719 feet it will be nice and cool when the desert floor heats up.  The Pinalenos are another Sky Islands range.  There are a number of rideable trails on Mt. Graham, but they will require some exploring.  The area is still being rehabilitated after the Frye Fire in 2017 and some trails and roads may not be re-opened yet.  Please note that Coronado National Forest has closed most developed recreation sites, so campgrounds, picnic areas, etc. will likely be closed. 

GO HERE FOR MT GRAHAM TRAIL INFO

“Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!” SDMB’s Recommendations for Trail Use Amid COVID-19

In light of Governor Ducey’s Stay-at-Home executive order for Arizonans to “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” (which goes into effect today at 5pm and will last until at least April 30), SDMB would like to remind members and the greater Tucson mountain biking community of proper behavior and trail etiquette in these uncertain times. With many individuals having extra free time or working from home in recent weeks, many local trails have become more popular than usual. We understand that many are already going stir crazy, but now is the time to prioritize safe trail use and interactions above challenging yourself with technical riding or riding in social groups. We want you all (and all other trail users) to be able to stay safe and healthy during these uncertain times.

While all local trail network remain open (for now), SDMB has already been notified about negative trail interactions and trailhead resource damage within the last month. With stay-at-home orders in place, please consider not riding for the time being; however, if you arrive at a trailhead and it is busy, please consider going somewhere less popular. With social distancing guidelines in place, please keep rides short and mellow (no trips to the ER!), ride by yourself or with people you live with, and make sure remain a safe distance from other users while out on the trails. It’s more important than ever to follow SDMB’s Be Cool guidelines: 1) "Slow your Roll" - control your speed, especially on trails with short sight-lines, 2) "Respect Others" - yielding to all other trail users and uphill riders, and 3) "Pay Attention" - watch out for other trail users at all times and don't ride up on someone at Mach 5, always use a bell to let other users know you are approaching. It is up to us to set a good example of proper trail etiquette for other trail users, especially where time on the trail may be the only outlet for the next month. Let’s all do our part and keep ourselves safe while still getting out and responsibly using the trails.

 Take a peek at our below recommendations for trail use to learn about how you can help keep the outdoors safe and enjoyable for all users (borrowed from Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz).

SDMB Recommendations:

Stay home as much as possible!

Exercise and sanity are absolutely important, however, we recommend that everyone stay at home as much as possible until this situation passes. Countries that have figured out how to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 have all enacted much stricter social distancing measures than we are experiencing here in Arizona.

If you do go out, act as if everyone you encounter out on the trails has the virus (even if they don’t!)

Give plenty of room (at least 6 feet), wash your hands frequently, and bring hand sanitizer with you on rides just in case you need it.

Do not drive to a riding location

Following Arizona guidelines, only drive across town for the absolute essentials! Car crashes are no joke, and driving to the trailhead is unacceptable right now, as automotive transport facilitates virus spread between communities. Get to know your local park, or explore new areas nearby home.

Please, do not ride/hike/do anything in large groups, aim for solo activities as much as possible!

Gathering in a large group and hitting the trails increases the chance of virus transmission between members of your group as well as transmission to other trail users. As a large group, you create a bigger obstacle for other users and set a bad example for the outdoor community.

Tell your housemates your route, share your location with them on your phone and provide them with an expected return time if you are concerned for your safety when heading out for a solo ride.

Building on the previous warning, do not shuttle under any circumstances!

Gathering together in a car, driving to a new area, and riding in a group is a dangerous and unnecessary risk to put on yourself and the community you are visiting. Maintaining the recommended 6’ between yourself and others is not possible in a car with all your buds.

In the event that parks shut down, please respect closures

If closures do occur, they are for the best of our community’s health. Respect the experts here, and avoid closed areas at all times.

Pick off-hours to ride, and avoid times of heavy traffic

If you do choose to enjoy the outdoors, pick a time when you believe there will be low traffic on the trails.

For example, riding at 4:00 p.m. on a Saturday is likely better than riding at 10:00 a.m.

 Keep rides short and conservative if you do choose to enjoy the trails

We know that injuring yourself is never the goal when enjoying the outdoors. That said, stay in your comfort zone and do not put unnecessary pressure on emergency services or our trails.

Our health system cannot support additional emergencies right now, and no one wants to be the one to distract medical resources from an ongoing pandemic.

Keep your rides short and sweet for the time being. Give others ample opportunity to enjoy the trails!

 Use the bathroom before your ride, and avoid snot rockets while on the trail

Many public restrooms are closed (they’re a huge vector for disease!), so do your business before hitting the trail.

No one wants to encounter your snot during their park visit, especially if it could cause transmission.

Do not share food or tools

This isn’t the time to swap snacks or share gear. Keep your tools to yourself, and if you absolutely must help someone out, sanitize tools before and after use.

 Give people the space and time they need to use the trail safely

Slow down more than usual, and give fellow trail users more room than you may normally give should you need to pass.

Now is a time to prioritize the experience of others. Keep trail interactions safe, kind and respectful.

Speak up if others are not following these recommendations! Share this knowledge.

If you encounter a group of folks shuttling or disrespecting social distances, say something to them in a respectful and informative way.

We’re in this together and need to hold one another accountable.

 

Please remember - your choices have consequences! Any of the choices in the above could easily apply to going out for a group ride on our trails.

We know that times are hard right now, but please take the time to slow down and think through the way you use trails and interact with others during this time.

Stay safe,

SDMB Board

SDMB Year in Review 2019

As 2019 comes to a close and we welcome in 2020 (a new decade of riding!), we wanted to share a recap of the year and our accomplishments.  Everything SDMB does is made possible through your support, donations, membership dollars, and volunteer hours, so this is really a recap of what WE collectively have accomplished over the last year.  Huge, huge thanks to everything the MTB and trails community does to support SDMB in our mission to Build, Ride, and Protect trails in Tucson and Southern Arizona.  To join or renew your membership or make a donation, please go to www.sdmb.org .  To make a donation specifically to the bike park, go to www.tucsonparks.org (make sure to specify 100-Acre Wood Bike Park!).

Also, special thanks to the SDMB board, crew leaders, and others who have taken leadership roles over the last year!

Major 2019 Accomplishments

Enchanted Hills Trails Park

SDMB worked with Pima County to develop the new Enchanted Hills Trails Park adjacent to the 36^th St. Trailhead, building more than 5 miles of MTB-optimized multi use singletrack and the first MTB-specific trail in the Tucson Mountains!  Enchanted Hills is the newest addition to Tucson Mountain Park, and has great variety including beginner-friendly options like Lower El Grupo Loop and techy advanced trails like Wild West.  In addition to coordinating and leading the majority of the volunteer events, SDMB brought an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team to Tucson assist with construction and restoration work and provided staff time for machine operation. 

100-Acre Wood Bike Park

In 2019, 100-Acre Wood Bike Park took a bunch of steps closer to become a reality!  In January SDMB held a press conference and ground breaking volunteer event in collaboration with the City of Tucson, Davis Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB), and REI Tucson.  Over the past year we have coordinated more than 25 volunteer events, working not only with the MTB community but with with groups like Tucson Electric Power and the University of Arizona Blue Chip Leadership Program.  Overall, in 2019 SDMB volunteers dedicated more than 1,800 volunteers hours to the bike park (at a value of more than $44,000!).  In August we built the Flow Trail Skills Area, with beginner and intermediate jump lines, and then in December we completed the Green Flow Trail and began construction on the Green XC Trail (hopefully to be completed by the end of January 2020).  In addition to construction SDMB continued to work on site cleanup and restoration, contracting with Strategic Habitat Enhancements as the restoration consultant for the project.  Thanks to REI Tucson, Tucson Electric Power, Tucson Medical Center, and Hammel Dentistry for providing grant funding this year, and to all of the individual donors who contributed.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Teams

In 2019 SDMB was fortunate to bring not one but two AmeriCorps NCCC teams to Tucson, for a total of 12 weeks of assistance.  The first team assisted with trail building and restoration efforts at Enchanted Hills in collaboration with Pima County NRPR, allowing us to build 5.3 miles of trail in just a few months. 

For the second team SDMB collaborated with TORCA, the Arizona Trail Association, and Pima County NRPR.  NCCC volunteers assisted with trail maintenance on Mt. Lemmon and at McKenzie Ranch Trails Park, helped build more than a mile of trail at Painted Hills Trails Park, and spent 2 weeks doing cleanup and trail building at the bike park. 

SDMB provided project management and coordination for both teams, including submission of applications, location and funding for housing, and facilitation of training and schedules.

Be Cool Trail Etiquette Campaign

Now in its third year, SDMB’s “Be Cool” trail etiquette campaign continues to be successful in educating mountain bikers and other users about how to get along on the trails.  In 2019 SDMB volunteers held 10 trailhead outreach events, handing out 800+ bike bells along with stickers and informational flyers about trail etiquette.  To date, we have given out nearly 2,000 bike bells! 

Fantasy Island

Fantasy Island is one step closer to permanent preservation!  Efforts to preserve FI have been active for years, and in 2019 SDMB teamed up with TORCA and SAMBA to work with the City of Tucson and the Arizona State Land Department (AZSLD) to implement the 2006 Fantasy Island Trails Park Master Plan.  In November Mayor and Council voted to approve the Planned Community Development (PCD) plan that designates most of the Northern part of FI as permanent open space, effectively preserving it even though the land has not been transferred yet.  SDMB is working with Tucson Parks and Recreation to develop an agreement that will allow us to maintain and improve the FI trails in coming years.  

Honeybee Canyon Trails

SDMB continues to work with the Town of Oro Valley and other stakeholders to advocate for preservation of the Honeybee Canyon trails.  In 2019 SDMB board members and supporters met several times with new Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield and staff to discuss Honeybee, and we presented to the OV Town Council in April to begin raising awareness about the need for preservation and active management.  SDMB board members are planning a site visit with interested OV Town Council Members, hopefully in February 2020.

2^nd Year of McKenzie Frenzy

For the second year, SDMB put on a mountain bike race!  The 2^nd Annual McKenzie Frenzy, p/b Hammel Dentistry on December 7^th was a huge success, with 130+ riders enjoying perfect temps, a fast course, and Tucson’s awesome MTB community.  In addition to having a great time racing, participants helped SDMB raise more than $6,000 to support trail projects!  Thanks too to our Race Supporters: Tucson Endurance Performance Center, Ben’s Bikes, Sabino Cycles, Metal Works Precision Machine & Tool, and Catalina Brewing Co.  We’re already getting stoked for next year and planning to make it a bigger and better event!

Tortolita Preserve

Tortolita Preserve was under threat of sale and eventual development until the Marana Town Council voted to extend its lease from the Arizona State Land Department through 2099.  SDMB supported the preservation effort in a variety of ways, including board members and supporters submitting letters and comments and attending public meetings.  Board member Kirk Astroth gathered one full year of rider data to present to the council, and is now serving on the Marana Parks & Recreation Master Plan Committee.

What’s Next

More bike park!

100-Acre Wood Bike Park will continue to be a major priority for SDMB.  What’s next for the bike park?  We’ll keep building as dirt and funding becomes available, with an upcoming priority development of 2 pump tracks near Alvernon.  SDMB and the City of Tucson are working with DMAFB to renew and extend the lease on the land, and we hope to finalize the sponsorship package and begin major fundraising.  And, of course, we’re going to ride a bunch!

Fantasy Island

Once SDMB’s agreement with the City of Tucson is finalized we will start regular maintenance days (may be limited to the Northern trails including Lone Cactus, Bo’s, Burro’s, and Christmas Tree as those will be the officially sanctioned trails) and begin planning for trail improvements, including installation of features.  We will also continue working with Tucson Water to ensure that the Bunny Loop stays open as SHARP Project construction continues.  SDMB is looking at some potential sources of funding to support trail maintenance and improvement.

Mockingbird/Explorer Trails

The next round of planned trail development in Tucson Mountain Park should begin sometime in 2020.  Mockingbird Trail will provide a climbing-friendly connector between Explorer and 36^th St. trails, and the Explorer extension will provide a singletrack connection from the 4’ culvert under Ajo Way all the way to Kennedy Park.  Pima County NRPR still needs to complete the biological and cultural surveys and then both trails will be shovel-ready!  SDMB still has up to $75,000 of RTP grant funding waiting for this package of trails, and there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities.

Be Cool Trail Etiquette Campaign

We’ll continue handing out bike bells and spreading the “Be Cool” gospel through outreach and education.   For 2020, we plan to continue the trailhead events, hand out even more bike bells, and are working with Pima County and other land managers on designing and installing trailhead signage.  Be Cool out there on the trail! 

2019 NCCC TEAM WRAP-UP

For the third year in a row, SDMB had the pleasure of hosting an Americorps NCCC team.  The National Civilian Community Corps is a national service program in which college-age young adults devote 1-2 years to supporting government and nonprofit programs across the country.  Previous NCCC teams assisted with completion of the McKenzie Ranch XC Race Venue and Hohokam Trail (2018) and trail building and restoration work at Painted Hills Trails Park (early 2019).  To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC, go to: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-nccc

For this team (called Earth 9) we decided to take a collaborative route and work with some of our favorite partner organizations to expand the ways the team could benefit the Tucson trails community.  In their time in Tucson, Earth 9 worked with SDMB, Tucson Off-Road Cyclists & Activists (TORCA), the Arizona Trail Association, and Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, & Recreation (NRPR).  SDMB submitted the application for the team, provided overall project coordination, and coordinated and paid for housing.  Thanks to Homegrown Tours for donating an MTB outing for the team, and huge thanks to our anonymous donor for assisting with housing!

Earth 9 was in Tucson for a total of six weeks.

For week 1 the team participated in a day of orientation and mountain biking courtesy of Homegrown Tours.  They spent the rest of the week working with TORCA, doing brushing and tread work on Green Mountain Trail.  TORCA reported that they brushed the entire trail from top to bottom and fixed sections of tread that were eroding. 

For week 2 the team worked with the Arizona Trail Association.  The majority of the week was spent working on the AZT from Molino Saddle to West Spring Tank (on the descent to Milagrosa), with a day spent installing a Super Gate south of Sahuarita with volunteers.

For weeks 3 and 4 the team worked with Pima County NRPR.  They did trail maintenance at McKenzie Ranch and helped keep the parking lot in good shape for events, and roughed in nearly a mile of new singletrack at Painted Hills Trails Park.

For weeks 5 and 6 the team worked with SDMB at 100-Acre Wood Bike Park.  They removed nearly 40 cubic yards (2 full dumpsters) of trash, cleared a huge pile of African Sumac, helped finish the Green Flow Trail, and started dirt work on the Green XC Trail.

This is your donations and membership dollars at work.  Without your contributions, SDMB would not have the funding or staff time to coordinate projects like bringing AmeriCorps NCCC teams to Tucson. 

Thanks for all your ongoing support!

Attention Milagrosa users!

Please read on for information from Neil Stitzer at Pima County NRPR about an upcoming reroute on the bottom section of Milagrosa:

"A 400’ section of the Milagrosa Trail will be re-routed due to private property ownership near the southern end of the trail. The new trail alignment on Pima County property will be 750’ in length. New trail construction and existing trail closure will take place January 2020. The existing trail will remain open until the new trail alignment is complete, at which time the existing trail will be closed, signed and rehabbed.

The Pima County Natural Resources Parks & Recreation department, Pima County Attorney’s Office and private property owner have negotiated an agreement for the trail alignment change. American Conservation Experience will be performing the new trail re-route and existing trail closure with a professional trail crew. We ask for your understanding in accepting this change to the Milagrosa Trail and that public input was not feasible during the decision making process.

We realize some trail users will not be pleased with the re-route due to familiarity with the existing trail alignment. However, please understand that given the circumstances this is the best possible outcome and fortunately the trail will remain open. The new trail alignment will be an improvement in terms of sustainability and depending on the trail user, be a preferred alternative to the existing trail alignment. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting private property ownership in the area, displaying trail and land stewardship by adapting to the new trail alignment, and helping spread the word throughout the trails community about this change.

If you have any questions, please contact the Pima County Natural Resources Parks & Recreation department: (520) 724 - 5000"

The 2019 8(ish) Days of Xmas ride series is here!  Now in its 13^th year, the 8(ish) Days features daily rides on Tucson’s best trails with your favorite organizations, groups, and businesses.  Let’s ride some bikes, make some new friends, and maybe even do a little trail work! Check back often for calendar updates.

All rides and events are open to everyone, and ride leaders make every effort to ensure no one gets dropped.  If you are unfamiliar with a trail or unsure of your ability level, please do your research in advance.  Helmets are required on all rides.  Unless specifically noted, events are not hosted by SDMB.

We’re always looking to add to the ride schedule.  If you’re interested in adding a ride or event, contact trailsteward@sdmb.org.

Thanks to all of our ride leaders!

2019 8(ish) Days of Xmas Ride/Event Schedule

Sat 12/21: 100-Acre Wood Bike Park Build Day

Sun 12/22: Blue Dog TMP Ridgehunter Loop w/ Blue Dog Bicycles
Sun 12/22: Honeybee Canyon w/ SAMBA
Mon 12/23: Festivus w/ the Cranksters @ Sweetwater

Tues 12/24: Family Ride on The Loop w/ Our MTB Rides

Tues 12/24: Christmas Eve Arizona Trail Ride w/ Copper Spoke Bicycles

Wed 12/25: OPEN
Thurs 12/26: Urban Assault w/ Catalina Brewing Company
Fri 12/27: OPEN
Sat 12/28: SDMB Starr Pass Poker Ride & Trail Run
Sun 12/29: Green Mountain, Bug Spring, & Prison Camp Shuttle Ride w/ TORCA

Mon 12/30: Dig Day @ 100-Acre Wood Bike Park

Mon 12/30: Ben's Bikes Monday Night Ride @ Fantasy Island

Tues 12/31: 50-Year Trail w/ Our Church of Kinetic Energy (FB group)
Wed 1/1:  MTB Addicts FI Hangover Ride

Fantasy Island Update 10/3/19

Representatives from SDMB, TORCA, and SAMBA continue to work to preserve the core of the Fantasy Island trail system, and we are reaching the home stretch.  On 9/26/19 we met with attorney Keri Sylvan (representing the Arizona State Land Department) and Teresa Olson from Council Member Shirley Scott's office.  In short, the Planned Community Development (PCD) is moving forward to preserve the majority of Lone Cactus, Bo's, Burro's and Christmas Tree Loop trails.  See our prior blog post for info on the PCD and other background.

On Monday, October 7 the PCD goes to the City of Tucson Zoning Examiner for review, and assuming no issues come up the PCD will then go to Mayor and Council for approval at the November City Council Meeting.  For those who want to attend the Zoning Examiner Public Hearing, it will be at 6:00 PM at the Mayor and Council chambers downtown (255 W. Alameda).  

If you can't attend the meeting but want to submit a letter of support (please!) you can find a draft letter here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/01qbkxv9va9rpu0/Draft%20Support%20Letters%20from%20Fantasy%20Island.docx?dl=0

Important take-home points are:

1. Fantasy Island is not getting closed.
2. Most of the Northern part of the trail system will be permanently preserved.
3. Some trails will be lost (specifically Bunny and the rest of the trails on the Southern part of the trail system).  This is all following the 2006 Master Plan.
4. The City of Tucson and AZSLD have worked consistently with representatives from the MTB community to preserve as much of the trail system as possible.
5. Preserved trails will be designated MTB-specific, preserving the core character of the trail system.
6. While the exact preservation designation is not known yet (sale, lease, SLUP permit) once the PCD is approved by Mayor and Council it will be final and enforceable, meaning the majority of the trail system will be permanently preserved as open space.
7. SDMB, TORCA, and SAMBA are working with the City to develop agreements to allow maintenance of the preserved trails, along with improvements and potential additional mileage to replace what will be lost.  New trails will be beginner-friendly to compensate for loss of the Bunny Loop.  Moving forward, trail maintenance and development will likely fall under the SDMB umbrella (with support from TORCA and SAMBA) as SDMB has existing agreements with the City of Tucson.  Stay tuned for details about how to get involved in a steering committee if you want to help).

Here is some background from Keri Sylvan:

"The Arizona State Land Department (“State Land Department”) is working with the City of Tucson (“City”) to rezone approximately 2500 acres of State Trust Land (“Trust Land”) along Houghton Road to the Atterbury Trails Planned Community Development (“PCD”).  See attached map for boundary of the PCD.   The PCD is a zoning entitlement that allows flexibility in location of uses and overall master-planning of very large acreages within the Houghton Area Master Plan (“HAMP”) that will be developed over a 20-40-year time horizon. 

The State Land Department is Trustee of over 9 million acres of land throughout the State of Arizona that it manages for 13 specific beneficiaries, primarily the State education system.  State Land’s role is to ensure that all trust lands are held, leased, and/or sold to maximize the financial return for those beneficiaries.  This Trust Land is part of the 7800 acres of State Land within the HAMP boundary.

               As part of the PCD process, the State Land Department has reviewed the Fantasy Island Master Plan and, in working with City staff, the Ward IV office and Fantasy Island stakeholders, State Land is proposing to formalize the portion of Fantasy Island near Irvington Road as Open Space/City Park (over 200 acres of land) pursuant to the attached map.  The PCD would acknowledge this area as Open Space with the Fantasy Island park and mountain bike trails in a similar regulatory manner as the Saguaro Trails PAD.  The City and State Land will be working through a separate process for the City to either own, lease or otherwise obtain a permit to use this area of the PCD for Fantasy Island.  This treatment in the PCD brings forward the vision in the Fantasy Island Master Plan and solidifies the rights for Fantasy Island users in this area of the PCD for generations to come.  Fantasy Island stakeholders acknowledge that this means there will need to be some re-routing of trails on the western edge of the Open Space per the PCD map to permit a 300-foot buffer and option for a Harrison Road connection into the future.  In addition, the Fantasy Island Trails south of the Mattamy development and City Water site will be removed once those areas are ready to be auctioned by the State Land Department to an end-user.  Fantasy Island and the City will continue to work with the State Land Department and the end-users to provide appropriate connectivity from new homes/development to the bicycle trails balanced with protection of those trails into the future."

And more info about the PCD:

"The Arizona State Land Department (“State Land Department”) is working with the City of Tucson (“City”) to rezone approximately 2500 acres of State Trust Land (“Trust Land”) along Houghton Road to the Atterbury Trails Planned Community Development (“PCD”).  See attached map for boundary of the PCD.   The PCD is a zoning entitlement that allows flexibility in location of uses and overall master-planning of very large acreages within the Houghton Area Master Plan (“HAMP”) that will be developed over a 20-40-year time horizon. 

The State Land Department is Trustee of over 9 million acres of land throughout the State of Arizona that it manages for 13 specific beneficiaries, primarily the State education system.  State Land’s role is to ensure that all trust lands are held, leased, and/or sold to maximize the financial return for those beneficiaries.  This Trust Land is part of the 7800 acres of State Land within the HAMP boundary.

               As part of the PCD process, the State Land Department has reviewed the Fantasy Island Master Plan and, in working with City staff, the Ward IV office and Fantasy Island stakeholders, State Land is proposing to formalize the portion of Fantasy Island near Irvington Road as Open Space/City Park (over 200 acres of land) pursuant to the attached map.  The PCD would acknowledge this area as Open Space with the Fantasy Island park and mountain bike trails in a similar regulatory manner as the Saguaro Trails PAD.  The City and State Land will be working through a separate process for the City to either own, lease or otherwise obtain a permit to use this area of the PCD for Fantasy Island.  This treatment in the PCD brings forward the vision in the Fantasy Island Master Plan and solidifies the rights for Fantasy Island users in this area of the PCD for generations to come.  Fantasy Island stakeholders acknowledge that this means there will need to be some re-routing of trails on the western edge of the Open Space per the PCD map to permit a 300-foot buffer and option for a Harrison Road connection into the future.  In addition, the Fantasy Island Trails south of the Mattamy development and City Water site will be removed once those areas are ready to be auctioned by the State Land Department to an end-user.  Fantasy Island and the City will continue to work with the State Land Department and the end-users to provide appropriate connectivity from new homes/development to the bicycle trails balanced with protection of those trails into the future." 

GO HERE TO READ THE FULL ATTERBURY TRAILS PCD DOCUMENT

THE 2019 MLGG RAFFLE IS HERE!

Support trails and win sweet prizes in the 2019 Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder Raffle!  Tickets start at only $10, and the more you buy the better your chances!  Winners will be announced at the 2019 Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder on October 26, 2019.

Prizes include:

• Entry for two to the Sedona MTB Festival (March 2020)
• 3C Ranch Adventure Package, including 2 nights' lodging at the 3C Ranch in Oracle and out outing to Arizona Zipline Adventures
• $400 Gift Card for Tucson Endurance Performance Center
• (2) POC Helmets from Sabino Cycles
• Prize Pack from Blue Dog Bicycles including Blue Dog team kit, cap, bike service, and taco socks!
• One of (3) Brunch for Two Gift Cards from 5 Points Market
• $100 Gift Card for Divine Bovine 
• Slide Rack Bike Rack Solution
• $50 Gift Card for Oro Valley Bicycle
• One of (2) Specialized MTB Helmets from Oro Valley Bicycle

GO HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!