AES: Prescott MX 44

 My original plan for this weekend was to hopefully meet up with a couple of friends who were bikepacking and riding through Prescott. As the day approached, I realized our schedules were looking to be a day off. So, at the last minute, put my name on the AES: Prescott Monstercross (MX) list. It was a new route for 2026, a 44 miler through the pines. I figured with being 20+ miles shorter than the previous editions it wouldn't be an all-day ride.

Last year I finally rode the AES route to completion and I wanted to see the new changes this year's rendition doled out. I really didn't study the route too much. Not sure if that was a wise decision or not.

Nice turnout for this one. Photo by Billy.

It was good to catch up with some friends in the few minutes I had before the start.

Rare photo for me: Still seeing other riders 3 1/2 miles into the day!! It wouldn't last long.

Climbing the Homestead, 305, trail was pretty fun. I was liking my pace so far.

Then the route started up Smith Ravive, 396. Oh boy, lotta walking for this guy. Maybe I should've but the 22t cog on instead of the 20t. Hmmm.

Off singletrack and onto Upper Spruce Mtn. Rd. I was really feeling it. Still a bit too steep and now hovering around 7000' in elevation. Oof.

Gotta admit, I wasn't really enjoying the route now. By the time I eventually reached the top near Spruce Lookout, I figured I had already walked almost 5 miles. Not only was it humbling, since I had been feeling pretty good on recent rides, but it was demoralizing. For a brief moment, I contemplated pulling the plug, but I was here to ride and I figured the riding would improve in short order.

Feeling the effects early on.

Hooray!! The top!!

My watch says it all. This is after holding a 6.3 mph average the first hour!! That's a boatload of climbing in barely over 11 miles.

View from the top.

The trail undulated for a bit before finally descending.

I think this was my first time riding on Groom Creek. I was enjoying the ride again.

These are the Prescott trails I remember.

Another road connection, this one was kinda long, but a lot of downhill. My prevailing thought was: I'm going to have to climb out of this at some point.

The route rejoined singletrack and I was immediately greeted with a huge, perfectly sculpted berm. Were we now on the Bean Peaks flow trails??

Indeed.

This trail, Cool Beans, was still under construction last time I was here. I was stoked to be riding it now.

After Bean Peaks, the route began a short side loop. I zigzagged through some fun singletrack then once again began a dirt road climb.

I came around a corner and saw a rider up ahead. I highly doubted they were a day rider and sure enough once I got close, It was Ryan, also doing the AES route. I hadn't seen another racer in over 4 hours. I'm confident I was in last place, sweeping the route. It was nice to have some company as we alternated between walking and riding up Wolverton Mtn. The hike-a-bike miles were adding up, as was the elevation gain for the day.

I was already thinking I wouldn't be riding this route again.

Back on singletrack, Ryan nears the top of Wolverton Mtn.

The ride down Wolverton was exactly what I needed.

We stopped for a snack break at White Spar CG. I was still good on water even though I started the ride with only 1.5L. I did have a couple bottles of electrolytes, small can of Pepsi and a Red Bull. By now we were back on familiar trails. I chugged my Pepsi and downed some calories for the final miles.

We left White Spar and began a mile climb on trail. A few turns later and I couldn't see Ryan any more, he had dropped back a bit. I was feeling good and actually riding everything. 

Water oasis in the forest.

Passing by Goldwater Lake.

I was beginning to see more and more hikers/runners. One fella asked me if I knew where the next aid station was. I had no idea what he was talking about, but after passing a few more hikers, I realized there was an Arivaipa event being held. I passed by the aid station in question when I crossed the Senator Hwy. Now on Ranch trail, it was about 9 miles to the finish from here with the final few being downhill.

Making my way along the final extended climb of the route on Ranch trail.

I eventually reached the connector trail to Badger, almost all downhill from here!!

I was feeling really good now, legs were firing, the trail was a blast. Wish I had this burst of energy earlier in the day.

Almost as soon as I started the final downhill, I came upon another rider. As I went past him, I realized it was Craig!! I hadn't seen him since early in the morning, maybe around mile 5. I got going and tried to stay ahead of him into the finish.

Dropping out of the trees over the final few miles.

I reached the finish at 5:10p, barely one minute later Craig rolled in. About 15 minutes later Ryan arrived and that was everyone. A rare non-DFL finish for me.

That was a tough route, took about as long as the bigger 67 miler, but having almost 7000' of gain will do that. I think I prefer having more miles of singletrack that is rideable - at least rideable by me - and a lot less dirt roads. Maybe next year we'll give riders the choice of routes. Something to consider.

A few of us went into town for dinner. Prescott is a happening place on a Saturday evening. Took us three tries to find a place to eat, ending up at Frank's Mexican Restaraunt - which was fantastic!!

Route: