The Best Canals in Phoenix for Riding a Bike
I’m trying to figure out the best canals in Phoenix for riding a bike. We have enough of them – something like 180 miles worth.
For a short ride, most of them do the trick nicely. But if you’re trying …
Fitness
Stories about gettin’ your sweat on.
Recap: 2020 Aravaipa Jangover Ride
The answer is the Aravaipa Jangover Ride. The question is, what race starts just a few hours after a long work week and goes to the wee hours of the morning?
I registered for the 6-hour solo category of …
Testing the SOS Hydration Mix
Hydration is the difference between a good ride and a low-down, cramp-filled, no-good sufferfest that will make you regret ever getting on a bicycle (or running, or kayaking, or whatever it is that you do). I largely have my regimen …
Bicycling in Southern California – A Quick Guide
Bicycling in Southern California is a real treat, especially if you’re from the desert like I am. Even in June, you can count on mild temperatures, decent cycling infrastructure and some hilly routes to help burn more calories.
If you’re …
It’s hot. Let’s talk about summer hydration.
It’s not even June yet, and I’m already doing my usual summer hydration stuff when I exercise. Beating cramps and the dreaded post-exercise headache is a huge undertaking. For me, getting it right is the result of trial and error.…
COVID-19 Quarantine is Getting People Outdoors. But There’s a Problem.
COVID-19 is driving a lot of people outdoors to find some relief from the quarantine. On the surface, that’s a good thing.
But a lot of these people discovering (or rediscovering) the outdoors are going to wind up injured, sick …
Where to Ride on the Grand Canalscape Bike Path
My local news outlets recently had a bunch of headlines about the Grand Canalscape bike path. Most were breathlessly impressed by a bike/pedestrian lane that would stretch “12 miles from Tempe to the I-17.”
I’d bet that not a …
Review: Frenzy Hills Mountain Bike Race
The inaugural Frenzy Hills mountain bike race put on by Aravaipa Rides was one very cool event. Some of this was by design, and some was luck of the draw from Mother Nature.
In a weekend extravaganza of off-road activity, …
Recap: The 2019 Tour de Scottsdale
This was the big year of my big comeback to the 70-mile course of the Tour de Scottsdale. That was the plan.
Back in 2016, I signed up for the Tour de Scottsdale after years away from riding road …
The Taylor House Ride in Flagstaff – What You Should Know
I just did the Taylor House ride for the second time. I previously did it more than 10 years ago, and exactly three things stood out about it that first time:
- A tube-socked dude who nearly wiped a bunch
The Best Workouts in Scottsdale
There is no shortage of ways to burn calories and all of them claim to be the best, so I set out to find the best workouts in Scottsdale. I believe that it’s smart to switch your routine now and …
No, the Pool Noodle Bike Hack Isn’t Great. At All.
Someone put a pool noodle on a bike to keep drivers away. And now media outlets are all over the place are saying this a genius and that the pool noodle bike hack is the greatest thing ever.
No. It’s …
Bicycle Infrastructure is Cycling’s Big Problem
Better bicycle infrastructure could solve a lot of transit problems. More people on bikes means fewer cars on the roads, more people burning calories and cleaner air.
Cycling advocates love to point to the Dutch cycling culture to illustrate the …
Rio Salado Bike Path: A Ride Guide (With Video)
The Rio Salado bike path is one of the most-overlooked places to ride in metro Phoenix. It’s a 16-mile stretch of sweet car-free riding. I’ve had many local riders act completely surprised to hear about it.
So let’s lift the …
Recap: 2018 Tour De Tucson
The 2018 Tour de Tucson started to go pear-shaped for me about 20 minutes before the start.
As I walked my bike toward the start, I heard a "whiiiiiiiirrrrrr" sound from the front wheel. Disc brakes problem? I was sure …
2018 Tour de Mesa Review
A few weekends ago, I rode the 2018 Tour de Mesa. It was my first of the Perimeter Cycling events held in the Valley after doing El Tour de Tucson for the past few years. The Mesa version was a …
I’m a Dad, and I Have One Small Request for Playground Designers
This is a small request to playground designers from a dad doing his best to stay fit: Remember that adults spend a lot of time at the playgrounds you build, and we could also use a little something to burn …
Recap of El Tour de Tucson 2017
Within a few miles of starting El Tour De Tucson 2017 a few weeks ago, a mantra came to me out of the blue. It was a phrase I’d heard from a co-worker. It was "Calm yo’ tits." (Hearing it …
Recap: Prescott 6’er Mountain Bike Race
For the past year, I’ve ridden about 90 percent of my mountain bike miles on a belt-drive singlespeed (first a Raleigh XXIX, then a Domahidy Ti). The big question on my mind has been -- could I actually race …
Four Days in Denver
We recently escaped the summer heat to spend a few days near Denver. I wanted to go mountain biking, and we all wanted to stroll around as a family without getting flayed and fried under the sun. We also didn’t …