Mini RR Arizona 50yr trail

[Keith B]

Heading across the AZ border to sample some different terrain and better Mexican food.....



Sat in traffic around Phoenix for an eternity - thankfully I had a interesting article on water quality to read to Sarah to keep her awake. Strangely it seemed to have the opposite effect



Still in traffic as the sun set. Here's why you dont put your feet on the dash



Thanksgiving morning and we hit a local ride, lots of banked turns and rock laden dips. Strange monuments made to the Cycling Gods in the style of something from the Blair Witch Project





Fun little half pipe that Sarah was hucking off the rim into. It wasnt hard enough for me so I didnt bother with the hucking *cough*



Woohoo! Big Sky and clouds like you dont get out here



The 50yr trail is a rocky out and back trail with a lollypop containing some really fun steep banked chutes. The out is gently uphill so coming back is pretty speedy zipping through cactus and dodging the cows.

More sky and terrific terrain over on the 50yr trail outside of Tucson.



Heading through the gate into the cow area. After a while we noticed the 'cows' had horns and only one udder and werent looking as friendly as we imagined



I snagged a cactus and picked up a slow puncture - the thorn was so fine and sharp, I was lucky to find it but taking the time to make sure it was gone was worth it. No more tube changing (slime tubes next time!)



Love these cactus - reminds me of watching Clint Eastwood movies as a kid.......although they were mostly shot in Italy? Go figure



STR hits AZ



Sun about to set on a great trail.

[foofighter]

thanks for the RR those are goregous shots of the terrain (not the traffic)

[sauce]

The bulls were so freaky! They had us totally surrounded on the 50 year trail. What a trip!

The first trail with the funny "statues" is called Fantasy Island - it's a popular spot in Tucson for mtb and trail running. It's the locals' "Fully Loop."

[Keith B]

Originally Posted by sauce

The first trail with the funny "statues" is called Fantasy Island - it's a popular spot in Tucson for mtb and trail running. It's the locals' "Fully Loop."

I prefer that version of the F-Loop as there werent many trees. And the statues of bike parts to the bike Gods msut keep the place injury free

[MTBBill]

The 50 year trail and Fantasy Island are both really cool trails. I love the riding right up next to the Catalina's on the 50 year trail, particularly if you continue north past the chutes area. I'm amazed how they managed to pack so much trail into Fantasy Island. The funky vibe of the place is also cool.

[guero]

I heard you can put 'sticky pudding' in tubes in case you can't find the slime ones.

Great RR, looks like you guys had a blast!

[maxwell]

Cool pictures!

How long was the drive out there?

[Pain Freak]

I really love desert riding.

What no pix of "sox" hucking?

I learned a long time ago you can't get away with riding very long in the desert without some kind of tube protection. Did you guys go all that way for 1 day? I'm still hoping I'll be able to hit Sedona after Christmas.

[Von-Skipp]

Next time you bubbs head to Arizona you gotta let me know!! This time was ok as I was in CA for Thanksgiving weekend.

[cbharping]

GREAT pictures, thanks! MW and I are going to Arizona over the holidays, can't wait now after seeing all your pics!