Arizona has long been a destination for cyclists and triathletes hoping to escape winter temperatures and log quality road miles. Earlier this year Pure Adventures announced a new guided tour that starts in Scottsdale and winds its way throughout Arizona’s Sonoran Desert region to help cyclists do just that. Averaging 38 miles per day (with options to extend or reduce ride lengths depending on your mood and fitness level).
But did you know that Arizona is great for year-roud riding? Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures’ founder and chief adventurer names that as one of the state’s greatest advantages. “Even in the depths of summer when daytime temps approach 115F, its possible to go out at sunrise, or before, and get a nice 85-95 degree dry desert ride in before the heat,” says Siekman. “This is the desert, where temperatures rise with the sun, and descend with darkness; thus in the winter when daylight hours are short, the nights can get cold; down to freezing at 32 deg F, and below on occasion. So, a winter ride is usually after the sun is up and warming the air, the ground, and actually feels good for a cyclist!” he adds.
While the desert regions of Arizona have long attracted cyclists for winter training, Scottsdale is somewhat of a newcomer to the off-season riding scene. Tucson is by far the most famous destination for pro teams and triathletes, traffic concerns have led athletes looking for less congested winter riding routes. Scottsdale is emerging as the top pick for pro and amateur cyclists alike.
We caught up with Siekman (who in addition to the day-to-day operations at Pure Adventures, is an avid cyclist) who shares his favorite Scottsdale rides.
Bartlett Lake
Leaving from downtown Scottsdale, this 80 mile ride round trip offers a variety of options for shorter or longer rides. Cyclists are treated to iconic desert scenery including the world famous Saguaro cactus which is abundant but also all the varieties of Sonoran flora such as mesquite and palo verde trees, creosote bush, and numerous cacti including the prickly ‘teddy bear cholla’ cactus, which should be avoided at all costs! It wouldn’t be unusual to see coyotes cross the road, or have red tail hawks overhead. It is even possible to see javelina (wild pigs), and eagles. The scenery will help take your mind of the strenuous climb required to come out of Bartlett Lake if you go all the way to the lake. Once you top out you will have nice long 20 mile mostly downhill ride back to Scottsdale center. At the marina, fill up on junk food and sugar drinks!
Post ride tip: stay in Cave Creek and visit the Buffalo Chip Saloon; especially on Sundays during football season! Go for the ambiance; its unique; the food is ok too!
Saguaro Lake and Usery Pass
Again, cyclists depart from central Scottsdale. This is a big ride that takes you out on the highway toward the White Mountains. The highway has a very wide shoulder and is commonly used by cyclists. The payoff comes with the gorgeous canyons route past Saguaro Lake and down along the Salt River to Usery Park where you can choose to climb up along the park’s desert reserve landscape and into Mesa. After that, it’s an easy city ride back to Scottsdale with options to extend. Stops along the way are usual convenience stores; and don’t be alarmed if you hear gunshots near Usery Pass – there is a shooting range next to the road!
Post ride tip: head down to Tempe’s Mill Ave and get beers and burgers at 1 of many establishments; on Saturdays in the fall, home football games for Arizona State University make the place even more alive. Try Desert Roots Kitchen for something healthy – even gluten-free foods are on the menu here!
South Mountain
This city ride through Scottsdale and Phoenix brings you to one of Phoenix’s largest city parks which also happens to offer a fantastic hill climb up to a view over the entire metro area where TV towers broadcast the world’s info. Once a month, on sundays, the city closes the park to vehicle traffic and this is an even better ride! The park, as big as it is, offers climbing and miles, literally, miles of park pavement to ride. From the entrance to San Juan point is 11 miles roundtrip.
Post ride tip: Stay in Phoenix and visit the Biltmore Fashion square for some fun window shopping, or get a burger at Zinn Burger along with a draft from Four Peaks brew!