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Well, here is the epic ride you've all been waiting for! Come join the "fun" for 30+ miles of riding and 6,000+ feet of climbing in the McDowell Mountains, including four "bypasses" - Windgate Pass, Bell Pass, Sunrise, and Windgate Pass again.
Details as follows:
When: Sunday, Jan. 28th.
Time: 8:30 am feet-in-pedals (it's a long day, please be on time)
Where: Stage at Basha's parking lot at Bell Rd. and Thompson Peak Parkway in NE Scottsdale
Route: Up Windgate Pass (first Bypass), down the backside and over to Bell Pass(second), down Bell, over Paradise to Quartz/Lost Dog, etc., up and over Sunrise (third), over to Golden Eagle and Dixie Mine, up to Windgate (fourth), down Windgate and back to the cars.
Terrain: Mostly all singletrack, not any real technical stuff, but lots of rocks, strenous climbing and steep descending with plenty of switchbacks. And did I say plenty of rocks? And cacti?
Support: This is a self-supported ride. Bring the food, water and gear you need for 6-8 hours of backcountry desert riding. We will; however, have a supported break at the Golden Eagle TH in Fountain Hills, with water, Gatorade, PB&J and snacks. Please bring $5 to help fund that.
Bail-out points: You can bail after the doing the first two bypasses (after coming down Bell), which will be close to the cars. You can also bail after climbing and descending Sunrise, which will require 5-7 miles of road riding to get back to the cars. After we make it to Golden Eagle, you might as well finish it up, though you can bail if you get a ride.
I will have maps of the trails and roads on the day of the ride, and will also post them ahead of time.
This is not a beginner ride due to the length and amount of climbing. And while not "technical," there are plenty of opportunities for carnage, so don't underestimate it.
Please let me know you're coming by posting here or PM'ing me so we can properly stock the snack stop...
Note: This is a friendly group ride being organized as such.
Details as follows:
When: Sunday, Jan. 28th.
Time: 8:30 am feet-in-pedals (it's a long day, please be on time)
Where: Stage at Basha's parking lot at Bell Rd. and Thompson Peak Parkway in NE Scottsdale
Route: Up Windgate Pass (first Bypass), down the backside and over to Bell Pass(second), down Bell, over Paradise to Quartz/Lost Dog, etc., up and over Sunrise (third), over to Golden Eagle and Dixie Mine, up to Windgate (fourth), down Windgate and back to the cars.
Terrain: Mostly all singletrack, not any real technical stuff, but lots of rocks, strenous climbing and steep descending with plenty of switchbacks. And did I say plenty of rocks? And cacti?
Support: This is a self-supported ride. Bring the food, water and gear you need for 6-8 hours of backcountry desert riding. We will; however, have a supported break at the Golden Eagle TH in Fountain Hills, with water, Gatorade, PB&J and snacks. Please bring $5 to help fund that.
Bail-out points: You can bail after the doing the first two bypasses (after coming down Bell), which will be close to the cars. You can also bail after climbing and descending Sunrise, which will require 5-7 miles of road riding to get back to the cars. After we make it to Golden Eagle, you might as well finish it up, though you can bail if you get a ride.
I will have maps of the trails and roads on the day of the ride, and will also post them ahead of time.
This is not a beginner ride due to the length and amount of climbing. And while not "technical," there are plenty of opportunities for carnage, so don't underestimate it.
Please let me know you're coming by posting here or PM'ing me so we can properly stock the snack stop...
Note: This is a friendly group ride being organized as such.
