AES: Tortolita 50 DNF - aka Cherrypicked 30

 I decided to use the upcoming AES: Tortolita 50 event as a final shakedown of sorts for the upcoming Queen's Ransom bikepack. Shannon was also coming up to ride it, but mentioned she'd be cutting it short. I thought that was a fantastic idea as I really didn't need to do excessive hike-a-bike on the back half of the route. We'd stick with the AES route through the Ridgeline trail, then loop it with Wild Burro and add a few more miles of the fast, fun Honeybee trails.

There was quite the turnout for this one. A bunch of OG riders were in attendance including a founding member of the AES series, Scott. Somehow, he got roped into taking the lead for the event and he didn't miss a beat. Some things never die.

It was great to catch up with a bunch of friends I don't see nearly often enough.

Riders gathering for the 8a rollout. We had 24 show up!!

AZT800 finishers: Kara & Alex.

A few miles of fast, slightly downhill riding for a chilly start. It was 38º when I parked!!

Lindsay giving chase.

There was a new section added to the route this year, a newer trail in the Honeybee system. Loads of fun contouring a hillside and riding up/over some outcroppings. Near the ten mile mark, the climbing intensifies as the route switches to jeep road riding. I ended up walking quite a bit of this section. As it goes up & over to connect to the Ridgeline trail climb.

We heard at the start there was a big walking event taking place on the Ridgeline loop. I guess some folks were upset we were riding the trails last year, but it's an open course on multiuse trails.

Kara finishing up the jeep rd. section as we cross into the walking event course.

Elevation is gained rapidly. I walked some, rode most.

It's a solid climb, but routed so well.

Kara's first time on Ridgeline.

Big views in every direction.

Classic shot here.

Time for the payoff, long flowy, but chunky downhill.

I stopped at one of the trail junctions where the walking event staffers were wrapping up their SAG station. They offered water, but I didn't need any. I asked how many walkers they had: 350!! Was the answer. Dang. I must've only seen the very back end of the group as I only encountered about a dozen.

This was a good place for a snack as I had to make my way across Wild Burro trail, then up/over that jeep rd. from earlier. Kara confirmed she would do the full route, I wished her luck as I split off from the AES route near mile 18. At the next junction, another SAG worker said he knew me from years ago and that Shannon was only 5 minutes ahead. Could I catch her??

Wild Burro trail is super fun. Just enough rocks to keep it entertaining over rolling terrain. I passed a couple of hikers, then rode around a corner. There was a football sized rock on the righthand side of the trail that I didn't pick up until I was right on top of it. Unfortunately, when I hit it, my left hand slipped off the grip, weight lurched forward and I rode a short nose wheelie over the rock. As my weight shifted to the right I knew I was going down. A giant bramble bush mostly broke my fall, but those things aren't too pleasant to fall into. I was well into the bush, bike was on top of my right leg and I couldn't really use my arm for leverage to get up. I had to move the bike with my free left leg, then slide myself back to the trail. Comical. I noticed my GPS had flown off in the mayhem and found it buried deep in the bramble. Back in I went. More scrapes and scratches, but I retrieved it!! Never a dull moment. Thankfully, only a few scratches, that was it.

Site of the carnage. The rock that sent my flying is just out of frame.

No catching Shannon now, so enjoy the views.

I heard my phone ping, so I knew I had service. I sent Shannon a text saying I was only a few minutes behind her and if she got this, please wait. She did receive the message and I found her at the top of the jeep rd. climb. We had both stopped for snacks, but at different SAG stations along the way.

It's a #Locorides reunion!! Look out!!

Right on cue. Our initial route had us on the wrong side of this barbed wire. Reminded me of the Painter Boy trail. Photo by Shannon.

We were making our way over near the Badlands area when a rider approached. Holy moly, it was Alex!! He was already finishing the 47 mile loop. I looked at my GPS: 25 miles. Then a couple more riders came flying by giving chase. The top 3 guys were moving!! Cool to see.

Absolutely gorgeous day with snow atop Mt. Lemmon.

We even found a lesser ridden trail that was a load of fun. Photo by Shannon.

These trails are a hoot. Photo by Shannon.

All types of cacti everywhere, so don't stray off the trail!!

Love the Mt. Lemmon views from here.

Fast and slightly downhill all the way back to the cars.

A handful of the fast riders already back at the finish. Mutants!!

What a great ride!! We ended with 30 miles and 3000' of gain, so no slouch of a ride for us either. We hung around watching most of the riders come in. The best part was after Max finished, he fired up carne asada tacos for everyone. Legendary status keeps on going for this guy.

After all these years of doing AES rides, it's great to see it's still going. If you want to challenge yourself, ride great routes in areas you probably haven't been to, check it out. It's FREE!! Say whaaa. Just have a means to navigate. See you out there!! Yes, Kara did finish, in daylight!!

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