AES: Pleasantville 2020

 The final event on the AES calendar was here: Pleasantville. Last year we had to cancel it due to high lake levels submerging a portion of the route. That would be of no concern this year. We've been mired in a months long severe drought here in Arizona. The good news of sorts for this year was we moved the staging area to Kirsten's place, however, COVID concerns kept things spread out and we still couldn't reap the benefits of her selfless hosting. Hopefully in 2021!!

It was a brisk start, hovering in the mid-30's at 7:30a for the start. There were about 20 riders and most of them took off right out of the gate. My hands were freezing for the first 30 minutes until we finally escaped the shadows of the rising sun. There were 4 or 5 of us bringing up the back of the pack, yet I felt like I was riding well. Those other dudes are really fast!!

New Waddell Dam on the south end of Lake Pleasant.

Singletrack in Lake Pleasant Regional Park.

Lake levels may be down, but the views are still top notch.

The floating bridge has been out for years now, resulting in a scramble to bypass this rugged side canyon. Mike assuming the position.

Side canyon we had to navigate around.

After leaving the regional park, the route traverses a series of remote dirt roads on the north side of the lake. We're heading towards that far small mesa on the left.

Northside view of the lake.

Down on the flatbottom, a lush canopy makes you forget it's the desert.

Last year this would've been under water.

The route becomes a bit more rugged as it nears the decent to the Agua Fria basin.

A rubbly climb awaits on the next rise.

Beginning of the Agua Fria basin descent.

I caught up to Ian here while he was taking a snack break.

Cutting through a sea of cockleburs, they weren't too bad this year.

Ian returning the favor while I snacked south of Table Mesa Rd.

Nearing the top of the final effort of the day along the Black Canyon Trail.

The Pinion drive Binary Bicycles Kinetik rode really well on this route.

All downhill from here!!

The southern end of the BCT isn't too exciting.

Route finding across New River can be fun.

Good day on the bike.

Note: This route is CLOSED from Dec. 15 - June 15 each year for Bald Eagle nesting habitat. Please respect the closure and only ride this route before Dec. 15. Fall is the time to do it. Also, check the lake levels of Lake Pleasant here: Lake water level *Anything above 80% and parts of the northern section will be submerged.

 Thanks to everyone who came out and to Kirsten for allowing us to stage from her home.