Tortolita Gnar

 Scott and I had to delay our AZTR Ride Director retreat a few weeks this year due to scheduling. Late November rolled around and it was time. He and Lindsay were camped out near the Tortolita Mtns. so it made sense to do a ride there. I also knew how rugged those trails were and reminded Scott to take it easy on me with the singlespeed. We came to the conclusion that the hike-a-bike would be intense enough that it didn't really matter what bike you were on, you were gonna walk.

They were camped out next to the Tortolita Preserve, a place I've never ridden. It's essentially one big loop, but we could use it to begin and end out ride linking it to the hard stuff.

Doesn't look like much on the map.

Scott mentioned how he helped layout and build this trail and while building it most of the folks involved didn't think it would amount to much due to the sandy desert. Well, time and riders have packed it in and it rides great. For a semi-level trail, it flows quite well. If you've ridden the trails at Brown's Ranch in N. Scottsdale, it's kinda like that. Don't expect chunk, drops or sustained downhills, but it is a fast, flowy XC type of loop. It was a nice way to get the ride going and would be an equally nice way to end the ride today knowing how much chunk was instore for us ahead.

We saw these up ahead on a dirt road, had to investigate. Nothing more than cell towers, but cool looking.

Sign: 'Bikes not recommended beyond this point'. Us: 'Perfect'.

Assume the position!!

We knew there would be a good amount of this, worth it? Time will tell. Photo by Scott.

The definition of full body workout. Photo by Scott.

Lindsay pushing along a short mellow section.

Carrying was a good option. Photo by Scott.

There were some rideable bits!! We began dubbing this trail, the 20' trail. The challenge: Could we actually ride more than 20' in one go. Sometimes.

The 20' sections were staggered throughout the hike-a-bike, enough to make the trail...fun?? Yeah. Nearing the top here. Photo by Lindsay.

Believe it or not, all the super gnarly hike-a-bike was on Upper Javelina trail and it was only 0.9 miles long. As long as you've got the right mindset, it isn't too bad and gets you to the goods. As they say, if you're not hike-a-biking, you're just riding your bike and the views probably suck.

Time to ride!!

Scott finding a nice rollable feature.

Lindsay coming down the fun part of Upper Javelina trail.

Dare I say, singlespeed friendly for the remainder of the ride?? Yessss!! Photo by Lindsay.

Just enough chunk to keep you focused and the stoke meter pegged. Photo by Scott.

There were a few tricky moves along the way, and the SSP handled each without issue. Photo by Scott.

Scott threads the needle.

New neighborhood going in at the bottom of the trail.

That was such a fun downhill. The enduro style hike-a-bike was totally worth the squeeze. We all agreed, we'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Back on the Preserve loop to finish things up.

Lindsay coming in hot!!

Yeah!! It was that kind of ride. Fun right to the finish.

Honeycomb in a Saguaro??

Lots of bee activity near the camp location. Never seen something like this before. Neat.

Not a bad view of Mt. Lemmon from camp either.

If you're looking for something different, with a solid challenge to the get to the payoff portion of the ride, check this one out. It's not for everyone, but we sure enjoyed it.

Route:

SoMo: Natty C2C DNF

 It's crazy to think the final Flight of the Pigs ride, the 20th Edition, was 10 years ago. Say whaa?? Over the years the growing trend to #opoutside on Black Friday has been growing. Most of my friends have been doing just that long before it was the 'in thing' to do. However, the community here has been itching for a bigger group outing on this day for those past 10 years. One ride, which is rapidly becoming a tradition, is to ride the famed National trail at South Mountain, aka: SoMo, coast-to-coast, C2C. It's a bit over 15 miles each way and some of the most technical riding in all of Phoenix. Not an easy task by even seasoned vets.

I did the ride a few years ago, marking my first time to do the full trail as an out-n-back. This year, my plan was to test it out on the singlespeed, but take the slightly easier Mormon Loop climb going westbound and some concoction of trails on the way back. National trail isn't exactly singlespeed friendly, but I've been known to enjoy a good hike-a-bike.

At the start, there were about 20 riders mingling at the Pima Canyon trailhead. I knew about half of the knuckleheads. There's a couple mile warmup along a dirt access road, aka: The Boardwalk, until you reach the gauntlet of technical climbing. I was dropped on the dirt road and was completely fine with it.

A bunch of the group was trying their luck at the first feature on National: Gate Keeper. I began heading up the Mormon Loop. I think it's now called Javelina Canyon or something, but it will always be Mormon Loop to me. I did pretty good on the first few challenges, but knew I'd be walking most of the main climb. I was able to ride a short section after the landing pad, but that's about it.

A sprawling Valley of the Sun as I crest the Mormon Loop.

I soon linked into National trail and caught up with Gerrit of all people. He's typically riding at mutant speed, so I'm guessing a mechanical slowed him down or he was helping the guy he was with. In no time, they were gone. I was beginning to settle into a rhythm, mixed with some short hike-a-bike. It was a perfect day to be out on the trail. 

Nearing the radio towers. This section of National is so underrated.

As close as you get, almost to the chunky downhill.

The calm before the storm. It's a really fun, but rowdy descent. I'm sure I'd get plenty of sideways looks for riding a hardtail down it, but that's all I know.

Trail parallels the Summit Rd. as it meanders to Telegraph Pass.

I reached Telegraph Pass exactly at the 2 hour mark of the ride and was pleased with that. Snack time. Next up was the sustained hike-a-bike up to the Pyramid trail junction. I want to say it's a solid 15-20 minute hike with one short rideable section mixed in, at least for me on the singlespeed.

I was feeling good when I topped out, stoked to be pedaling again as I was about to ride one of my favorite sections of National trail - the bit beyond Ranger trail to where the ultra loose steep descent begins. I topped out and began coasting the first downhill. I was making a righthand turn, nothing sharp, just a normal turn, but there was a lot of loose medium sized rocks littering the corner. My front wheel slid out on the marbles and I wasn't able to leap off the bike in time. Tuck and roll!! It really wasn't a bad crash at all considering the terrain, but you're still landing on rocks. I took a fairly large chunk of skin off my inside right palm and got my right knee scraped pretty good. I was pissed. I knew my plans for the day were over, but I needed to get off the mountain. There wasn't really a quick easy way to do that but to continue forward and bail down the Ranger trail.

So gnarly. Game ender. Grrrrrr.

The ridgeline views are A-ok here.

Bailout plan. Thankfully, the wound on my right hand was virtually a non-issue while riding as it wasn't making contact with the grip.

It has been a while since I last rode down Ranger, it was a hoot.

Down at the bottom I had settled into my new slightly adjusted groove. I opted to stay on dirt, aka: sand, instead of hopping on the pavement at the Ranger trailhead. I dropped down into a sand wash and it was just enough downhill to keep pedaling.

Probably not too much fun going slightly uphill on this.

I had to wait a few minutes while a group of people finished up there holiday card photos here.

A couple miles of pavement to link into the expansive canal system.

Highline Canal.

I was feeling good enough to finish up on the East Loops.

Peeled off my glove to see the carnage. Luckily, it wasn't deep. Tis just a flesh wound.

It was still a great ride, wish it wasn't modified due to a crash, but whatevs. South Mountain always delivers. 

Route:

Canelo Hills Extravaganza

 The Canelo Hills don't often come to mind when most riders think of places to day ride, but I'm not most riders and neither is the Red Rock Chica, RRC. We've been doing silly adventures for over a decade now, but somehow it had been over 5 years since our last ride!! How could that be?? Life, schedules and some dumb luck I suppose. We had planned to do a good ride after the AZTR kicked off a few weeks earlier, but right on queue, life's adulting duties got in the way.

Fast forward and I had a free Saturday. I asked the RRC if I could cash in that Canelo Hills rain check. The adventure bank was open!! Finally, we ride.

Dawn glows over the Santa Catalina Mtns.

My riding in the Canelo Hills has mostly been limited to the Arizona Trail, AZT, and a quick pass through on the Sky Island Odyssey East Loop. Today would be different as there are a plethora of dirt roads crisscrossing these hills. The RRC has been exploring these roads for a few years now, so I was grateful to know I was in good hands when it came to the routing. We tossed around a few ideas of where to ride and decided we'd do a short loop heading towards the Huachuca Mtns. then break for lunch and do another bigger loop in the opposite direction.

Perfect day for some exploration.

Heading down Brushy Canyon.

Cool roadside POI. Lon Parker Memorial.

Interesting gate latch. Surprised I hadn't seen this style on the AZT.

Looks like we have a hill to climb up ahead.

Indeed. Stand and mash. Photo by RRC.

There seems to be a high number of dead or dying trees in the area and that makes me sad.

Made that hill look easy.

I should've known. This is the look of gears turning under that helmet, concocting a route with more hike-a-bike for the afternoon...

We wrapped up our morning ride, a nice 14 mile or so loop that was surprisingly rideable. We had some lunch, then, as promised, the RRC gave me a wonderful tutorial on shooting. Believe it or not, I had never shot a gun in my life. BB gun once or twice, that's about it. Never really had the opportunity. I had mentioned it to her some time ago and she remembered. We went out, set up some targets and had a great time. For those wondering, it was a Glock 19. She's a great teacher and didn't mind all my noob questions and occasional fumbling - when it wasn't loaded!!

Not going to win any shooting form competitions, but I think I did ok.

Not too bad for my first time, I guess.

That was a lot of fun and I can't thank the RRC enough for remembering and the fantastic instructions. Look forward to doing it again sometime. Our midday break was over, back to riding.

Sublime 2-track into them thar hills.

I wore the bright colors for the hunters out and about.

That's the look of someone who knows and loves the Canelo Hills!!

Ahhh, there we go. Finally, some hike-a-bike!! Little did I know...

Getting dropped on the Canelo Pass Rd. climb. Lingering dust from a string of SXS vehicles, much to the dismay of the RRC. Triggered!! Haha.

San Rafael Valley opening up.

Endless grasslands out here.

When you think of Arizona, it's this, right?? No??

Snek!! Saw a bunch of turkeys earlier, but missed the photo.

Working it. Photo by RRC.

Somewhere along here we decided to make this ride a loop using a steep connector she's been wanting to check out. Queue the sayings: What could go wrong? How hard could it be? You brought lights, right? No? Ok. We'll be fine.

This time of year the shadows grow long early.

Fun!! Some downhill.

Nice little surprise tank out here.

The first of a few pushes.

We ran across a couple of hunters who were amazed to see us out this far. When we told them where we were heading, they remarked at how steep the terrain was and opted to turn their vehicle around. Undaunted, we continued. Duh. They were both very interested in someday completing the Arizona Trail, either on foot or bike. Rad!! Get it, fellas!!

The first in a short series of steep grunts.

I needed a head start of pushing. Photo by RRC.

Once again, I've been sandbagged!! Pedal power!!

Eventually, the grade got her too. Whew.

This guy sure loves his hike-a-bike. Photo by RRC.

This should probably be in the hike-a-bike brochure. (Nice reality capture!!) Photo by RRC.

Mount Washington down by Patagonia and a few peaks in Mexico. PeakFinder app.

Still going up, but look - a rideable grade!!

Looking north, Rincon Peak and a barely visible Mt. Lemmon.

I arrived here to some excitement from the RRC, she pointed out the AZT, down below lurking to the left of the shady spot in center.

Before we reach the AZT, more steep pushing. Oof.

My expression says it all. Whoa, that's a steep hill and/or how is she already way up there!! Photo by RRC.

Proof that I did manage to pedal some of the steeper uphills. Photo by RRC.

Finally cresting the top along this short ridgeline.

Huge views to the north and east up here.

Spooky 'ol tree standing guard. Photo by RRC.

The payoff?? A steeper descent than the push up. White knuckles engaged!! The RRC taking the more conservative approach.

The scratchy bits weren't too bad out here.

Barely 5 minutes earlier, we were up there.

That smile means one thing: AZT singletrack!!

We linked into the AZT on the Canelo Hills East passage, but on the few miles of great trail in between the two main hike-a-bike efforts. It was an earned reward. Photo by RRC.

This section is so good, weaving in/out and slightly up/down among the trees.

She has quite the riding selfie skillz. I'd end up OTB, no doubt.

Trailside tank. Reminder: Don't camp within a quarter mile of any wildlife water source as it may prevent the animals from getting the water they need. Seems this is becoming more of an issue as the trail grows in popularity.

Fun, fast double track section through the trees.

Yeah, it was kinda like that.

It seemed after every short burst of climbing, I was being told there was only one more climb. I finally had to call her bluff. You know I'm a mountain biker too, right? Those tall tales don't work here!! She did come up with some cool routing to get us to the final high point, so all kidding aside, it was worth any extra climbing she 'forgot' about. :)

Waning light as we begin a few miles on mostly gentle downhill 2-track riding. Speed, smiles and laughter were a plenty.

Surely, this is the last climb, right?? Right. Photo by RRC.

At least one of us had a strong light!! Photo by RRC.

We chatted with some locals right as we were about to leave the dirt, maybe less than a half mile from the end. Darkness had settled in, but it didn't matter now. Chalk up another successful adventure. Lots of new-to-me miles out there and even a few for her, which was really cool. I'm very curious to see what the next route down this way will look like.

Peace out RRC, until next time....hike..errr, ride on!!

If you want to ride the Canelo Hills. I highly suggest starting with the Arizona Trail sections, probably the West passage as it's more rideable overall than the East. Check out the routes on the Arizona Endurance Series website, specifically the Coronado Gold routes. Enjoy!!