48 Hours in the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley isn’t exactly one of the big draws for Arizona. If people get anywhere near it, it’s usually because they’re going to Sedona.
I’ve lived here for a good long time and have actually never spent a night …
mountain biking
7 Things to Know about Mountain Biking at Brown’s Ranch
Brown’s Ranch Mountain Biking at a Glance
- Four Trailheads
- More than 165 miles of trails
- Well-constructed trails
- Endless Options
- eBikes are Not Allowed.
- Watch for hikers, horses and wildlife
If you want to start a great argument, ask mountain bikers …
Mountain Biking the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
I rarely ever get out to the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve. It’s one of the newer bits of municipal open space in Phoenix, but it’s a bit far from me. Last time I was here, it was also shorter on …
Recap: Mountain Biking in the Estrella Mountains
Mountain biking in the Estrella Mountains near Phoenix is, for me, a lot like eating at one of the ubiquitous fast-food joints with “berto’s” in their name. A few years will go by and I’ll think “hey, why don’t I …
VIDEO: The Pivin Loop and Papago Park
The Pivin Loop at Papago Park has become unbelievably fun over the past few years. It didn’t even exist until a few years ago when the City of Phoenix decided to — without public input — plow the existing singletrack …
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 …
Riding Hard with Fuel100 Electro-Bites: A Review
For the first time in a few weeks, I did a long mountain bike without a stash of Fuel100 Electro-Bites. I’d run completely out of them, so I dug back into my extensive stash of gels.
And here’s the …
When Should You Get a New Mountain Bike?
WARNING: This blog post about buying a new mountain bike is ridiculously old! Here is some better, newer content about this topic.
How to Buy a Full Suspension Bike
Thinking About Buying a Bike in 2021?
Of course, this is …
Mountain Biking in Nelson, New Zealand
The very same day I mountain biked in the Whakarewarewa Forest, I started to wonder where else in New Zealand I could ride. Our itinerary would take us to a sheep farm, Wellington and then on to Nelson. So …
Recap: 6 Hours in the Papago
My training plan for the 6 Hours in the Papago mountain bike race wasn’t a winner: A month before the race, I came down with strep throat. Before my antibiotics even ran out, I was headed to New Zealand for …
Phoenix Destroys Some of the Nation’s Best Urban Mountain Biking
NOTE: See the updates at the end of the post.
Congratulations, Phoenix. You’ve officially destroyed one of the nation’s best urban mountain biking areas. And you managed to do it on the down-low.
By the time I started mountain …
In Search of Good, Budget Mountain Bikes – Part 1
I might be the world’s weirdest mountain biker: I simply don’t care about super-expensive, shade-grown, organic, gluten-free artisan bikes. There are so many great $5,000 bikes that there’s no possible way to decide between them, even if you divide them …
Review: Fotodiox Aftermarket GoPro Mounts
I’ve been on the hunt for aftermarket GoPro mounts. Every few months, I break one of the stock plastic mounts that come with the Helmet Hero cameras. I have a grab bag of spares, so it’s not the biggest deal.…
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Mountain Biking
A year has made a big difference for Scottsdale, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and its mountain bike trails. Back then, I took my first ride on its new trails near Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. And I had some harsh words.…
Your Opinion: The Best Hydration Packs
I’m looking for your advice about the best hydration packs out there.
See, my Camelbak MULE is ratty and old. It’s salt-encrusted and engrodiated. It’s missing a zipper pull or two. The cat may have peed on it for all …
Your Bike Frame – What it Says About You
I amazed a new mountain biker a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, it wasn’t my riding that did it. It was a bit of trivia I shared – that you can actually buy a mountain bike frame made out of …
Arizona High School Cycling League Has Plan to Interest More Girls
Getting more women involved in mountain bike racing is an old challenge. It’s plagued event organizers and the industry as long as the sport has been around. Now the new Arizona High School Cycling League is taking a shot at …
Cost of Mountain Biking: What’s it Worth?
There’s an endless number of ways to stay fit – and to stave off boredom. But to me, mountain biking is a blend of exercise and fun that is hard to beat, and I have nearly two decades of priceless …
Flagstaff: Perfect Mountain Biking in Summer
Mountain biking in summer heat takes a lot out of people who live in Phoenix. A nice 20-mile ride in Flagstaff did wonders to get me back in a mountain bike sort of mood.
It was a bit of logistical …
Boost Your Mountain Bike Cred – 6 Easy Steps
Mountain biking can make you look cool. You don’t even have to be fast or even good at it. Just learn which style buttons to push. Follow this advice and trick everyone into thinking you’re a mountain bike Bodhisattva.
Ride …