Summer Road Trip Choices...

So the short list is down to the final 2.  Both are about 30 hours drive away which multiple ride stay / stops enroute.  6 weeks and counting to the final choice.

*** original pics from the interwebs ***

Copeland

Last long weekend of the summer.  Got 3 days of epic rides in the Horseshoe area.  Despite somehow losing 3 of 6 rotor bolts during 1 ride ( thanks to Hardwood Hills for the save ) everything was mint, including the weather. 

Carbon Fiber Footprint

Santa Cruz Tallboy 2 - Durham Forest

Brilliant May Weekend at Horseshoe Valley

Still have snow on the hills at the resort but the trails at Copeland were in mint shape.  There is so much stuff to ride up here that even after years and years of exploring you still find new options.  Events like the old Hardwood Raid & Substance Enduro's don't happen but they showed us ways to link so much of the tracts together the combo's are endless. 

Perfect Day - 1 Flat Tyre = Perfect Day

Glen Major

Spring time in the GTA

Durham Forest

Durham Forest - Check

Dufferin  Forest - Check

Don Valley - Check

Walker / 3 Rox - Wet down low so skip.

Rouge Valley - Not so check.....

April is always hit and miss with weather.  The trails are  thawing so lots of time spent on the roads north of the GTA and itching to get back on the MTB.

Durham on Sunday morning was great.  3 cars in the lot at 9 and at 12 the lot was packed.  Easy to stay off the trails that are still too wet as they have signs up but the rest of the forest was mint and a easy couple of hours to be had.  The trails were getting the leaf blower treatment which is always nice so make sure you stop and thank the volunteers that buff the singletrack for us to ride.  The Don is fantastic.  Again not much to say other than really enjoying perfect conditions.

Motown heading north

This is a far better weather report than what took place this past weekend in Prescott at the Whiskey Race. Yes Arizona, and yes snow, sleet and hail. It seems we are not the only ones...

Back to the Red Rocks Over Sedona...

Bye Bye Desert.....

Hooked on Phonix...

Browns Ranch

This is far from technical but what it lacks it makes up for in flow and scenery.  A good break for the constant barrage of rocky trails.  Did a 35 km loop with a climb up Browns Mountain from both sides for the view / descent.  Did not see any scorpions or rattlesnakes but the trail signs seemed to indicate they were around.  Another killer 80 + day in the saddle.

This area reminds me of Hartman Rocks in Gunnison CO with huge rocks and loops

South Mountain Preserve

See the theme ? Hot and dry and rocky.  Checked out South Mtn today this shot was from the Desert Classic trail if my memory is right.  Decided not to do the National trail...yet.  These rocks are not forgiving and when you get up close it changes your invincibility factor.  This place was packed for a Friday afternoon.  Would not want to hit this on the weekend.

Can't get this theme song out of my head while I'm out there.  Could not find the heli pad climb ?

McDowell Mountain take 3..

I think I understand why night riding is so popular down here.  It is 80 degrees in February and its hot.  I can't imagine this would be the case in mid August when it is consistently 100f +

Can't get sick of looking at this....

Views from McDowell Mountain Race Loops ( Long Loop )

Mc Dowell Mountain Race Loops

This is a section of trail in Scottsdale that used to be the home of the now defunct Cactus Cup.  This was the classic desert race that used to grace the covers of MBA with the legends of the dirt Johnny T, Ned O and others.

Now it is a series of 3 loops set 100% aside for Mountain biking.  Trails were good and did 2 of the long loops.  That crash on Sunday was hard.  This was a welcome change and good recovery trail.

Been to the desert on a horse with no name...

What a difference 90 minutes down the road from Sedona makes.  Rode McDowell today and man what a eye opener, wheel catcher, worked over 2 hours in the saddle.  Can't even describe how difficult some of the trails were but believe me when I say my bruises and aches can.  ( rotor burn sucks btw  !!! )

GoPro Day

Something you don't see everyday....

At least in Sedona and it's a hardtail.   Full Squish carbon rigs with dropper posts seems to be the logical weapon of choice and on past trips I have rented a Santa Cruz Tallboy so you really can tell the difference on trails comparison.  One thing the hard tail does better is climb and that was on the menu today.  The pic below is the Chicken Point lookout after climbing up Little Horse Trail.  Will hit Mystic and Hogwash etc. another day.

Can you believe this is JANUARY ?

Sedona 2014

Leaving all the cold behind of Toronto and having not posted anything here of worth I thought I would start off the years post with a senic pano taken today from sunny Sedona on the Bell Rock trail leading over to Templeton and Slim Shady ( Made in the shade ) Should be a great time here before Phoenix & Tuscon and just literally confirmed the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo in a few weeks time.

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate...

B.B. Seaton had it right with that song which pretty much sums up today's ride in the Seaton.  What a throwback to early mtb days.  It turned out to be nice temps which would explain the 20 + groups of hikers out.  For a variety of reasons the consensus was never hit Seaton on the weekend again.

Hardwood Hills - Coffee Run / Joyride