ROGER NAYLOR 2022-08-30 11:19:18
GO FOR THE VIEW Sedona serves as the centerpiece for Arizona mountain biking with hundreds of miles of trails amid a jaw-dropping backdrop of towering red-rock formations. Some of the very best, like Mescal, Aerie, Chuckwagon and Outer Limits, are carved from juniper-clad slopes above Dry Creek with something for every skill level. GO FOR THE DISTANCE For an epic adventure, the sprawling Arizona National Trail stretches for 800 miles from Mexico to Utah. Highlighting the endless diversity of the state, this route traverses cactus deserts, deep canyons, rugged mountain ranges and fragrant pine forests. Only wilderness areas are closed to mountain bikers. GO FOR THE GRAVEL Intersected by the Arizona National Trail and surrounded by the Santa Rita Mountains, Patagonia is a utopia of scenic gravel routes. Take in sweeping views from Forest Road 143, an approximate 55-mile out-and-back trail that rolls through the semidesert grassland valley of Salero Ranch and gradually climbs the southern side of Mount Wrightson. GO FOR THE DESERT FLORA At San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Queen Creek bikers can climb the Dynamite Trail through stands of saguaro and cholla cactus to a mountain saddle. Enjoy expansive vistas and hillsides ablaze with yellow brittlebush in spring before a short downhill with lots of twists and turns. Add more of a challenge by returning via steep Goldmine Trail. GO FOR THE WINERIES Pedal quiet rural roads through sweeping grasslands surrounding the hamlets of Sonoita and Elgin, where Arizona’s wine industry began. Horizons are shoved back wide on the vast Sonoita Plain. Wineries and vineyards are tucked among these soft rolling hills, providing welcome rest stops. Make a gentle loop combining Elgin Road and Lower Elgin Road. GO FOR THE DOWNHILL Summer brings thrill-seekers to Sunrise Park Resort in the White Mountains. That’s when Arizona’s largest ski resort turns into a highflying playground. Bikers can ride the scenic chair lift to the 10,700- foot summit of Sunrise Mountain with forest views in all directions. Then zoom down ski runs as you cling to the handlebars. GO FOR THE FLOW Exotic scenery mixed with fast and flowing sections make Kingman’s Monolith Gardens Loop a hidden gem. Kingman has constructed a beautiful network of trails across the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area and none tops Monolith Gardens. Take the intermediate trail counterclockwise as it swings through dramatic boulder fields. Enjoy ridgeline climbs and fast downhills along with slickrock-style riding. GO FOR THE SOLITUDE Curving along the edge of the Grand Canyon, Rainbow Rim Trail winds through pristine forests and flower-filled meadows offering views that don’t exist anywhere else. This is the only trail at Grand Canyon open to mountain bikes. While savoring the soothing isolation of the North Rim, this intermediate route features a mix of smooth climbs and quick descents, with a little technical work crossing side-canyons. BIKING SAFETY TIPS 1 Carry plenty of water to stay hydrated in the dry climate. 2 Go early in the day or during cooler months to beat the heat. 3 Stay on trails to avoid cactus and rattlesnake encounters. 4 Pack tweezers to pull out cactus spines, just in case.
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