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April 28, 2008
Sunshine, Mountains, Scrapes, Bruises, and lots of Smiles!!!
I just got back from spending four days in the hot, hot, hot sun of Phoenix, AZ with the family. My wife had some business out there, so we headed out a few days early to catch a bit of a vacation. We stayed at this place called the Arizona Grand Resort that just so happened to be at the base of South Mountain Park, a state park in Tempe, AZ that is known for its great mountain biking. The resort also boasted a great wave pool, lazy river, and kids pool that the family and I enjoyed immensely.
I rented a bike from Cactus Bikes and am happy that they provided me a full suspension Giant Reign 2 to for my adventures. My first attempt on the trails was only so, so. I entered the park more on a hiking trail than a mountain bike trail. Within just a few hundred yards I had my first fall. One thing I learned quickly is that even the brush just off the side of the trail was full of small prickly cover that really stuck in my hands (yes, I had no gloves on!). I got back on and 50 yards later, was back on the ground, with more pricks in my hand. A few miles later and I was literally on my back, feeling quiet bruised. Then I smacked my elbow, my knees, my ankle, shin... well you get the picture. After a few more likes, I started to remember how to ride a mountain bike. However, I had never ridden trails like these before.
The trails were full of steep rises and quick descents. They were also full of rocks and sand. Often you would find 2 to 3 foot drops and large rocks in wheel sucker formations that made me scared out of my mind. As you were ascending, you would often find your self putting your bike in near vertical positions to climb over rocks. While I was slow and clumsy, the local riders that I bumped into would traverse these obstacles with grace. They would hop and glide over the trails, catching air here and there. I was quiet amazed.
Day 2 I found the main trail head that lead to well marked trails over varying degrees of difficulty. The hardest trail called National, I stayed away from and headed on a less steep route. Each day I was able to make it a bit further into the park, but with 60 miles of trails, I knew I would never explore it all or even come close. What was fun, is that as you headed up into the park, you would climb and climb say for an hour, and then bomb down the trail and be at the park entrance in 20 minutes. So the workouts were leg burners as well as mentally challenging as you tried to keep your bike up right.
Day 3 I was able to steal away from the family for a bit more time and explore further into the park. The deeper I went the better the trails. For 90 minutes I climbed up and up. The trails were kicking my ass. At several points, I deemed them literally impossible to ride up. I had to essentially throw my bike over my back and haul it up over the rocks. I ran into a few riders who told me just about no one rides up the rocks, but many can ride down them. Well, I did not even do that. As I had to traverse them on they way back down, I still got off my bike and bouldered on down the rocks as well. After the 90 minute climb it took me only about 30 minutes to get down. I was on the National trail for most of my ride. The last 2 miles or so were down extremely steep, narrow trails where you literally could not fall, or you would stumble down the mountain. I felt more like a mountain goat, then a hack mountain biker.
Day 4 I actually headed off the mountains and road the roads around the park. Tempe had good bike lanes on the roads and they were pretty much pancake flat. Even more so, than what I ride here in MN. Riding a full suspension mountain bike on the road was not ideal, but my legs needed a bit of a break. I ended my ride by riding the trail head up to the main mountain bike trails in the park and then bombed back down to my hotel.
Overall, I saw tons of mountain bikers, triathletes, and even a few roadies out there. The sun rises at 5:30 AM and I was usually on my bike by 7:00 AM. I think I was one of the later riders out there. With the heat I think most athletes are out early and done before the heat kicks in. The sun also sets about 7:30 PM, so the length of the day is just about opposite of MN.
I had a great time exploring South Mountain Park and a blast with my family. It was great to ride in fabulous weather and take a break from the general day to day life with the family. I applaud all my fellow Loon State riders who raced Kenwoods and Excelsior in the cold, rain and snow. While I missed riding with them, I am not too upset about missing the crappy weather.
Posted by kermisch at April 28, 2008 10:08 PM