Can anyone recommend a sweet trail over in Tucson Az area?

[MarcoPolo]

Has anyone made a trip out there in the past? I would like to hit up some trails in or around Tucson. I love technical, climbs, and fast downs. Can anyone recommend a few trails that my Garry Fisher Sugar 4 bike can handle? Any Helpful info will be appreciated.

[The Toninator]

pm bear.

[dburatti]

Has anyone made a trip out there in the past? I would like to hit up some trails in or around Tucson. I love technical, climbs, and fast downs. Can anyone recommend a few trails that my Garry Fisher Sugar 4 bike can handle? Any Helpful info will be appreciated.

The 50 Year Trail, Fantasy Island, and Star Pass were good rides about 10 years ago. Check MTBR for reviews.

D

[Bear]

Has anyone made a trip out there in the past? I would like to hit up some trails in or around Tucson. I love technical, climbs, and fast downs. Can anyone recommend a few trails that my Garry Fisher Sugar 4 bike can handle? Any Helpful info will be appreciated.

Get thee over to the Tucson MTB site and the MTB Arizona Forum to let them know you're coming and look for ride hook-up. Standard rates apply (offer beer...). The people I've run into over there are by and large just as friendly and welcoming, if not more so, than the Texas cycling community.

The amount of trail available in that region makes Austin/San Antone look like a dejected wasteland of concrete, in comparison.

There are features I'd be wary of on the Sugar 4 - more XC less AM of a bike IMO - but that's really up to you to decide and I know people who ride rigid bikes there.

Like Dewayne said, 50 Year and Starr Pass (aka:Tucson Mtn Park) have a bunch of trail - there may even be some trail maps to help out if going solo, but I know that the "best" stuff is often off the main line. Both are very "all mountain" trail systems.

Sweetwater and Fantasy Island are more gentle XC oriented systems, I haven't ridden them personally (my limited time in that area has focused on trail with more "gnar") but they've a great reputation.

If you haven't been in the area before IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME to go read the "visitors" thread on the MTBR AZ forum. Lots of good advice, the desert flora and fauna out there is *not* the same as you have at home!

Beware the cholla cactus! ;^)

Also, plan on drinking 2x as much water on rides as you do at home - force yourself to if need be - the lack of humidity there can cause dehydration to really sneak up on you quick.

How long are you planning on being there / when? Climate is a factor, as the are is heating up quickly.

[MarcoPolo]

Get thee over to the Tucson MTB site and the MTB Arizona Forum to let them know you're coming and look for ride hook-up. Standard rates apply (offer beer...). The people I've run into over there are by and large just as friendly and welcoming, if not more so, than the Texas cycling community.

The amount of trail available in that region makes Austin/San Antone look like a dejected wasteland of concrete, in comparison.

There are features I'd be wary of on the Sugar 4 - more XC less AM of a bike IMO - but that's really up to you to decide and I know people who ride rigid bikes there.

Like Dewayne said, 50 Year and Starr Pass (aka:Tucson Mtn Park) have a bunch of trail - there may even be some trail maps to help out if going solo, but I know that the "best" stuff is often off the main line. Both are very "all mountain" trail systems.

Sweetwater and Fantasy Island are more gentle XC oriented systems, I haven't ridden them personally (my limited time in that area has focused on trail with more "gnar") but they've a great reputation.

If you haven't been in the area before IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME to go read the "visitors" thread on the MTBR AZ forum. Lots of good advice, the desert flora and fauna out there is *not* the same as you have at home!

Beware the cholla cactus! ;^)

Also, plan on drinking 2x as much water on rides as you do at home - force yourself to if need be - the lack of humidity there can cause dehydration to really sneak up on you quick.

How long are you planning on being there / when? Climate is a factor, as the are is heating up quickly.

Hey guys thanks. I have already been out here since Monday.
I've done Tucson Mtn Park and was unfortunately got baptized in a cholla cactus. Got 5 buds on my right shin/calf and another 3 on my right hand/wrist area. Oh and it was a good damn thing that I had a leatherman on me to pluck those PAIN IN THE ASS thorns out of me.
Anyways I recovered and went up to Sweetwater and really enjoyed that ride. Although a little short, it had fun little climbs that reminded me of Flat Rock.
I was kind of thinking of hitting one of the trails on Mt Lemmon out of Summerhaven, perhaps Aspen Meadow & Aspen Draw.
Thanks!