Greetings from AZ!

[Z]

Hey everyone...

I'm on a bike trip... er... um... oh no wait... I'm at a conference... but... I found this crappy photo online... yeah... that's right... of a lilly white new englander riding her bike in Phoenix... it sort of reminded me of myself... so... yeah that's it!

If that picture were of me, then I would be here for four days, riding every day, followed by a soak in the hot tub, before heading off to the conference in the afternoon... I would have picked a hotel right at the trailhead... room on the first floor so I can ride right out of my room...

But of course, I'm at a conference, so that wouldn't be me, nope! :)

[Z]

Whoops... I don't know why but my attached photos never seem to work...

[Mt.A TODD]

If that picture were of me...

But of course, I'm at a conference, so that wouldn't be me, nope! :)

Nope that’s not you gloating either. Go ahead and twist the knife, more pictures.

[Ben-O]

You can't fool us!

Seriously, I'm going out to San Diego for a conference myself, and have been looking into places to rent and ride. Now I won't feel as guilty... ;D

Did you bring your bike, or what?

[Mt.A TODD]

Yeah she brought her bike and got the locals to show her around....that is if its really her!

I’ll help you post one…

[MMcG]

wow! I need to find a professional development conference or something during the winter months at a location with lots of sun and no snow.

Looks like a fun conference eh Z? ;)

[Z]

Nothing like jet lag to get you up in the morning for a nice long ride! I could get 3 hours of riding in each morning and still make a 11AM meeting!

Anyway, there are more photos here:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=668665#poststop

... that is, in case you are interested!

The internet is awesome. Isn't it cool how you can go to a strange place, meet cool new people, and ride places you've never been before?

[Ben-O]

Z,

It sounds like you just met up with people willing to ride through forums. Did you use just mbtr.com, or other ones?

(you're giving me great ideas for my trip! ;D)

[MMcG]

great stuff Z - how do you like the Smurf Blue Intense?

[sizlinseagulsoup]

WOW

I need to travel!

[truckboy]

So where in AZ are you? What trail system? I'm taking notes, not to tell on you but for future reference.

[douglas]

awesome!

only 10 days until I'll be biking in AZ (24 hours at Old Publo)

;D

[Jisch]

So where in AZ are you? What trail system? I'm taking notes, not to tell on you but for future reference.


Not to answer for Z, but I've ridden out there as well. All those trails are within the greater Phoenix area (i.e. within an hour or so). South Mountain is within the city limits, Hawes is in Mesa (suburb of Phoenix) and P&D is close by, can't remember how close I didn't ride that one. Get Paul B's book on riding AZ, its a great resource.

John

[Z]

Yes, I got what I needed on the AZ forum of mtbr! The first day I picked up a map at a local shop and rode on my own right out of my hotel just to get spinning. I stayed in the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak right near the Dreamy Draw trail head (North Mountain).

The other three days I connected with various people that I met through the forum or through people I met on earlier rides.

If you like technical riding, I would suggest two days at South Mountain. I thought Pima and Dynamite was fun, but not everyone agrees; you have to get away from the trailhead (lots of motos and rotten rock) and head for the foothills. I thought that North Mountain was OK, and it definitely pays to get off the main trail (Trail 100).

Speaking of guide books, I hooked up with Paul Beakley (author of Mountain Bike Arizona) on Saturday. He was really nice, and even gave me a copy of his book as a present! It's a really kick a$$ book, I would highly recommend it. (www.mountainbikearizona.com)