Rides in Phoenix, AZ?

Renae

I'm looking for a place to ride in Phoenix, AZ. I am just beginning, and am primarily riding in North Phoenix, but am looking for a place that I can ride for distance/time that is bike friendly (by myself).
I am riding a MTB (on the road, no trails)...but looking/saving for a road bike.
Thanks!

larry barr

Great riding over in Fountain Hills in the state park. Simply take Shea all the way out then go left on Palisades, take another left at the bottom of the hill, I forget the name of the road. That will take you out to the park. Call Bicycle Ranch in Scottsdale for ride info, ask for Glenn (owner) or Doug. Good guys. I lived out that way for a couple of years, but transfered back to the midwest. have fun.

__________________
Remember, pain is just fear leaving your body.

SLS

Depending on where in the North Phoenix area you live here are a few more options. Cave Creek Road once you get pass Union Hills. The Bicycle Ranch every Saturday morning has a ride out to Carefree via Scottsdale Road (still great any time) that starts on Frank Lloyd Wright aka Bell Road. I haven't checked out this last one - but past Sun City on Bell Road there is supposed to be a nice 20 mile stretch with hardly any traffic. My normal one is up 19th ave to Happy Valley road - hang a right and it will drop you back on 7th street (unfortunatly they are doing some road construction and it is only a two lane road for the most part) Let me know if you find some others as I am always looking for another area. Thanks

PeterWit

On Bell Rd. beyond Sun City Grand is the Sun Valley Parkway. Four lane highway, wide bike lanes and virtually no traffic. It's on the west side of the White Tank Mountains. You can ride from Surprise to Rte 10 in Buckeye - about 35 miles one way and never see a vehicle. Only in AZ would would they build a 4 laner from nowhere to nowhere! Mostly flat but a few nice climbs for an old guy like me. Take the 101 west to Bell or Grand (turn left on Bell) and go just beyond the end of civilization and you'll probabluy see my car and other cyclists parked on the right. Enjoy the beautiful desert now before they develop it. Of course, bring your hydration!

Renae

I picked up a bike map of different routes in the Valley. Trails and bike lanes.
You can check it out on-line at: http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/maps.cms
Just click on: MAG Regional Bikeways Map 1999 (back) and
MAG Regional Bikeways Map 1999 (front). They are the last couple lines at the bottom of the page.
I will have to check out the Sun City one soon. I have been riding on the Indian Bend Wash Multi-Use Path lately. Nice for a leisurely ride.

larry barr

I need to get off this thread. It is getting cold and dark here in the midwest and I can only take so much.

__________________
Remember, pain is just fear leaving your body.

Renae

The cold and darkness are only getting started in the midwest!!!
When I went back home this summer (Minnesota) I only had a chance to go for one quick ride. I went 11 miles round trip, but only came across 4 cars and a tractor and crossed the state line into Iowa! How can you beat that! I would take the midwest over AZ any day. Yes, you have the winter when you can't ride, but out here, riding in the summer is not too enjoyable...especially for someone who is not a morning person so morning rides are out for me. I would love to just go on a blacktop country road where there is little traffic and if you do pass a car it is someone you most likely know!

larry barr

I am outside Chicago, not quite as far north as MN. Also, need to go a distance to hit those country roads. I know what you mean about the heat out there, but 365 days of great weather is the other trade off.

__________________
Remember, pain is just fear leaving your body.

SLS

129 days of 100 degree weather or above including today - feels like a blast furnance sometimes (dry heat or not). Trust me its not fun - of course biking in 45 degrees or less is not something you would want to do either. Ahhh life.

I guess we could move to Hawaii but that's a little to expensive. Sounds like we need to find a company with an office up north where we can work from May through September or October up there than work in the Phoenix office the rest of the time.

larry barr

I'm ready to go, but my wife is not budging. Wait a second, now there is a thought.

__________________
Remember, pain is just fear leaving your body.

zaskar

im from MI i love it here in AZ, if you cant take the
heat go further N in AZ where there is snow. this state has so many options, i also love to ride 100 degree plus days,
the body gets acclaimed, and its not like it dont cool off
@ night unlike the midwest. i was a fat cow living out there
if it wasnt raining, it was snowing, totaly SUCKS! maybe you
should move out there its getting crowded here.

AND OH YEA, NO MORE MOWING LAWN 3xS A WEEK!!!
AND NO SNOW TO SHOVEL! NO PLAYING RUSSIAN RULETT
DRIVING ON ICE SLICK RDS I COULD GO ON....and all them
cloudy days will set you in a ****y mood.

larry barr

Brother, you nailed it on the head. Although I have to say, when I lived there I had the best looking lawn I have ever had.

__________________
Remember, pain is just fear leaving your body.

zaskar

yea a green lawns not worth it though huh
you deserve to be here in paridise.

geraldg

You can always ride the Scottsdale greenbelt (Hayden and Shea to Hayden and the 101). It is pretty bike friendly, although there can be alot of people on the path. But the nice thing is that you don't have to contend with cars and traffic.

There are plenty of roads with bike lanes in Phoenix and lots of groups that take advantage of them.

Check out:
http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/