Nogales to Tucson Mountain Biking

A few weeks ago we traveled all the way to Rio Rico AZ. to do 3 days of mountain biking. Why go to Rio Rico you ask? We had a free place to stay!  It was also near(ish) to all the southern segments of the Arizona Trail. The weather tried to keep us off the bikes with cold windy rainy and snowy blasts of nasty conditions but we laughed at it, continued on and suffered as a group.

The riding was fantastic. Each area we went to seemed to have its own personality. The second most southerly section of the AZ trail was like being in the savannahs of Africa (with small mountains). We saw Javelinas, Deer, Elk, and all sorts of Raptors.

Canelo Hills, One mile into the ride

About the same spot

One of the easier sections

Taking the rain gear off

The next day we rode the section of the Arizona Trail just to the North of the segment shown above. It had a totally different feel, and had a fairly developed set of connector and loop trails that gave a number of different options. Unfortunately I forgot my camera that day so I only have a few pics that my companions sent me.

The storm gets worse

Through the hole

A proper snow storm

The third day brought us better weather and a 45 min. drive to just north of Tucson to an area of trails in Catalina State Park. Again, this had a totally different feel, with massive granite slabs and boulders, and Saguaros and every other type of cactus littering the side of the trail. We did some weird loop the used part of a trail called the 50 year trail. It was like the Albuquerque foothills on steroids. It was awesome!

A beautiful start in Catalina

Closer to the mountain now

weaving through the boulders

looking back towards the start

Coming down the slab

Musing the awesome

Thanks Kip!

-Charlie