I had a major surgery in January and I am not allowed on road bike yet, but have been on mountain bike enjoying easy riding.
I will be in Scottsdale for a conference next weekend and wanted to find an easy trail to ride while there. I can’t pass up a chance to ride in such beautiful country, but I can’t do anything too technical with big climbs or descents (to a point).
These trails are probably OK but they are not in Scottsdale and not very close to Scottsdale. The San Tan trail is in the far southeast and the other one is in Mesa. If you are in north Scottsdale try Pima Dynamite area. It is sandy, not technical, beautiful desert scenery. If you are closer to the hotel area around Lincoln go to Phoenix Mtn trail 100 (park at 40th and shea).
If you want safe and close, try Papago Park. There are many trails winding around and you are not likely to get into trouble, and very close to Camelback. If you want better “desert” scenery but still pretty tame, McDowell Mtn Park is another option but a long drive. South Mountain is the best area but highly technical on most trails.
I would think any trail riding would be worse for injuries than road riding…even the best trails are pretty bumpy compared to pavement. Unless you are just riding along the canals…if that is what you are looking for then you are pretty well stuck in town as far as I know.
Trail 100 as mentioned above ends right near the Camelback on Tattum Blvd. You can ride right out your door. My wife and I rode and ran there when we stayed at the Camelback a few years ago. If you ride out the back of the hotel and go around the golf course, you’ll come out to Tattum Blvd. Go right and the trail head is about a mile down on the other side. There’s a small parking lot that’s easy to miss. If you get to the shopping area you went about a block and a half too far. The trail starts in a narrow strip of nature between the houses but after less than a mile you are out in the desert. I had plans to try three trails while I was there but Trail 100 was so convenient it was all I needed for a three or four day stay.
I dont know too many places that have tri bike rentals, but Arizona Outback Adventures rents both mountain and road bikes. You should be able to slum it on a road bike for the day
Plus one on Pima/Dynamite, depending on your skill level even trails like Trail 100 and Hawes could be challenging in parts if you arent used to lots of rock, sharp and often loose and cacti. Mountain biking out here is more challenging than a lot of other places.
Another suggestions would be to go to McDowell Mountain Park and ride the Pemberton loop, thats pretty mellow with low risk of carnage.
Truly appreciated and I guess if I MUST slum it on a road bike I will gladly!
Thanks everyone on the trails comments. I think we are going to spend a week after IMAZ this year so that we can take in all of these great riding opportunities.
You will also be a few minutes walk from Camelback Mountain so you should definitely do that hike. It is crowded on the weekends but not so bad during the week. I also think the Pemberton trial would be a great non-technical trail to ride - about 45 minutes drive from the hotel.
If you have a road bike you can start from the hotel, turn right and you are in what is probably the most popular urban cycling area in Phoenix - the Mummy mountain/PV area. Lots of other cyclists especially on the weekend.
Reserved a mountain bike at AOA, Thank you. They were out of stock for a road bike in my size (58) so I’ll tear up the trails all weekend and get in a hike too, thanks again ST-ers!
Trail 100 was a blast today** with unbelievable weather.**
Great trail - I’m used to packed dirt, rock mixed with saber toothed jagged boulders was interesting, but a blast.
Very convenient from Camelback Inn. Sort ride on path then onto some beautiful area.
Lastly,
What’s up with the holes in the Cactus? DO people go out there and shoot them???
Thanks for the recommendations . . . Heading back tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday . . .
Cheers
Should have been here last weekend when we were racing in rain and 45 degree temps…fun fun fun!
The holes are from the birds. Birds peck at them andcCactus wrens build their nests in them!
Glad you enjoyed our little desert world!
Glad you enjoyed trail 100. If you can get off trail 100 the trials are better: more single track, fewer or no people, and better climbing. If you enter from Tatum, go up the first long hill and stay on the main trail until the second left. Take this trail and then the first right. You will hit some of the nicest trails in the park. I live just a couple minutes ride due east of the park and will probably be there tomorrow about 4:30.
