Tag Archives: Arizona

The Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists Annual Poker Ride – Fun on Two Wheels for a Cause

Every year, the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) pull off what might just be Tucson’s most entertaining and community-driven mountain biking event—the Annual Poker Ride. As a fundraiser for this passionate advocacy group, the event not only raises crucial funds for maintaining and expanding trails but also brings together hundreds of riders for a day packed with adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable fun.

This year’s ride unfolded under the kind of weather that makes the Sonoran Desert famous. With not a cloud in the sky and warm, golden sunlight blanketing the landscape, it was a perfect day to experience the desert’s unique beauty. The Tucson Mountains provided a stunning backdrop, with rugged peaks, craggy ridges, and panoramic views of the sprawling valley below.

A Ride Through the Sonoran Desert

The route took participants deep into the heart of the Sonoran Desert, a landscape defined by its striking geology and vibrant biology. Riders tackled iconic trails like the Explorer Trail, El Grupo Loop, Max Shemwell Trail, and Ledge Surfer. Along the way, they were surrounded by towering saguaros, their arms stretching skyward like sentinels of the desert. These iconic cacti stood among barrel cacti, prickly pear, and cholla, creating a tapestry of green that contrasted beautifully with the golden hues of the rocky terrain.

The trails twisted and turned over ancient volcanic rock formations, evidence of the Tucson Mountains’ fiery past. Riders traversed washes carved by monsoon rains and skirted cliffs that told a story of millions of years of geological evolution. Every turn of the trail offered something new—a dense cluster of ocotillo with their spindly stalks, a fleeting glimpse of a desert jackrabbit darting across the path, or the sharp cry of a red-tailed hawk circling overhead.

A Poker Ride with Personality

Riders set off at 9 a.m., aiming to collect the best poker hand by visiting 10 stops scattered along the route. These weren’t just ordinary checkpoints—they were themed party zones that captured the creative spirit of the SDMB community. Costumes, music, and refreshments were the order of the day. From beer at one stop to mixed drinks at another, the ride felt more like a rolling celebration than a competition.

The stops were as diverse as the scenery, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. A few even felt like they were part of the desert itself, with riders pausing to sip drinks while taking in sweeping views of the rugged mountains and endless desert plains.

Fuel for the Fun

No Tucson event would be complete without incredible food, and the Poker Ride delivered. At the finish line, riders refueled with a spread that included pizza, tacos, and the quintessential Tucson treat—Sonoran dogs. Paired with the crisp desert air and the warm camaraderie of fellow riders, it was the perfect way to close out the adventure.

Prizes for All

The poker aspect added an element of strategy and luck to the ride, with the best hand at the end of the day earning first pick from an impressive prize table. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of sponsors, there were enough prizes for every one of the 280 riders to take something home. Whether it was gear, gift cards, or swag, nobody left empty-handed.

Beyond the Ride

While the event is all about fun, it’s also about supporting the trails and the mountain biking community. SDMB continues to lead the charge in advocating for trail access and maintenance, and events like this are critical to their mission.

Why You Should Join Next Year

The Annual Poker Ride is more than just a mountain biking event—it’s a celebration of the Sonoran Desert and the incredible community that calls it home. Whether you’re shredding the trails, marveling at the desert’s beauty, or laughing at the creative costumes and party stops, this event captures the essence of why Tucson is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

So, mark your calendar for next year. Come for the adventure, stay for the tacos and Sonoran dogs, and leave with a deeper appreciation for this incredible desert we’re lucky to call home. You won’t regret it.

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The following is more about my day at the poker Ride. As I’m new to blogging daily, I’m still looking for the voice I want to use. Having a background in writing newspaper columns, sharing my prospective seems to self centered. It’s not about me, but I also consider myself a participatory journalist. I never show up just to watch, I’ll always find a way to participate.

The Poker Ride was a humbling yet exhilarating reminder of why I love mountain biking. These trails around Starr Pass and Tucson Mountain Park are as raw and rugged as they come—untamed, chunky, and beautifully technical. Riding them forces you to improve, to push boundaries, and to embrace the challenge. Yes, there are flowing sections that let you catch your breath, but the jagged, cauliflower-like rocks make you earn every mile. It’s mountain biking in its purest form, unsanitized and unapologetic.

This ride wasn’t just about trails, though. It was also about finding balance—both on the bike and off it. A sip of beer, mia tia, whiskey, at a few stops helped ease the nerves, but not enough to steer me into a saguaro. I found that perfect middle ground: enough to laugh at the challenge without compromising my lines.

But as I write this on Monday morning, I’m feeling the consequences in muscles I didn’t know needed strengthening. Technical riding like this, far removed from traffic, is my happy place—mentally stimulating, physically demanding, and spiritually rejuvenating. Ad in stations with food and booze and it’s a wonderful place to be. Yet, either I’m not doing it enough to stay sharp, or age is catching up with me.

What wiped me out wasn’t just the Poker Ride itself. I left home on the bike in the dark and rode the 16 miles to the event and took the long way home, detouring to show a house, and then to the gym to spin and watch the Lions and Vikings. To cap it off, I realized I’d dropped the gift card I won from Tap and Botttle and went back out at 10:30 p.m. to follow my route and look for it. 20 miles and An extra hour and a half later, I came up empty-handed. Frustrating, yes, but at least it nudged me past my weekly hours goal and took the daily miles to just shy of a century.

In the end, the Poker Ride was more than just a ride. It was a testament to perseverance, finding joy in the grind, and embracing the adventure—even when it spills into the night.

Old Pueblo MTB OldSkool OG’s

“OldSkool OG’s” :: The Longest standing organized ride that OPMTB offers each week ! The ride that started it ALL. This is generally an Intermediate to Advanced ride with Beginner friendly options to shorten the ride or skip sections to crate an easier route. There’s a loyal & regular following for this ride with an intentional rotation of trails all over Tucson for all levels of interest. OG rides are NO DROP.
RIDE GUIDES ::: Todd Rasmussen, Derek Petz & Jeremy Harper
DIFFICULTY: Blue – Ride it hard or ride it easy, expect 8-12 miles in distance.
MEET TIME: FIP (Feet In Pedals) @ as close to 3:00 PM, so Meet about 2:45 pm. (approx ride time 90mins to 2 hours)
PARK: “Sweetwater Trailhead” on google is right at the main parking lot of Sweetwater Preserve. Easy to find and the Pin drop on this event is accurate.

SPONSOR/ORGANIZER :: #OldPuebloMTB #OldSkoolOGs w/ Todd Rasmussen & Co.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade

I was asked to be the photographer for the St. Patrick’s day parade.  I said I would only if they would provide a float for Bikes. It was a fair trade.  Now all I need is some bikes adorned with decorations and and riders in green.  Hopefully, that will include you. We will go for beverages afterwards. Bring the family.  Wear Green. Be Seen.

 

Molino and La Milagrosa – MTB Addicts

Plan to meet up at Ave de Suzenu by 8:45 AM and we will shuttle to Molino Basin at 9:00 AM.
This is a technically challenging ride, so I would not recommend beginners attempt this trail. If you can’t ride it, feel free to walk whatever features you are not comfortable with. It takes around three hours with a group, so make sure to have at least 2 L of water, nutrition, bike/tire repair kit and a helmet
Tucson

February Productive Hike – AZT Bellota

We’ll be giving the middle of AZT Bellota a winter season tune up. Meeting location is TBD.
What to bring:
-Long work pants or jeans (no shorts or strechy pants), again long pants
-Closed toe shoes/work boots
-Long sleeve shirts (recommended)
-Eye protection(Sunglasses are fine)
-Hat
-Pack with at least 100oz of H20 and snacks and water(yes it’s important)
-Work gloves(we have gloves if needed)
We’ll provide tools, training, and post-hike snacks and drinks.
Never come out for a “productive hike” before? No problem! We’ll give you the training and continued guidance on appropriate tool usage.

The Pinewood Showdown

ABOUT THE RACE

September 14th

Folks have been asking us for years. When is Zia Rides going to do a gravel event? Well, we were waiting to find the right location with a venue and gravel roads that live up to the quality and expectations that people have come to expect from Zia Rides. And boy did we finally find it!

The base of operations for the Pinewood Showdown will be the scenic Wilderness Ranch outside Pinetop-Lakeside/Show Low, Arizona where we have access to some of the most beautiful and fun dirt roads in Northern Arizona. We found a spot worthy of your trusty gravel or mtb steeds, and we don’t plan to disappoint.

Riders will have the option of choosing between a 25, 50, or 100 mile routes to test your mettle. Couple this with an amazing venue, live music in the camp pavilion and you have the recipe for a fantastic weekend. The various courses will also delight with fully supported aid stations, well marked courses and plenty of options for all ability levels. Mark your calendars for a full weekend of family fun in the White Mountains. It’s going to be epic!

Camp Wood Roundup Gravel Ride

Camp Wood Road

Camp Wood Road

When exiting the Bar-Triangle Ranch onto Williamson Valley Road, the first mile and a half will be a neutral roll-out. The race will begin once the pavement ends and you turn left onto Camp Wood Road. This is a wide open gravel road that gradually slopes upwards before reaching a 7-mile, 1000-foot climb at approximately 10 miles into the loop. Around the 14-mile mark, the road will top out, followed by a sweeping descent towards Walnut Creek Rd.

photo credit: Dirty Freehub

Walnut Creek Road

Walnut Creek Road

At 15.5 miles, riders turn right onto Walnut Creek Road (FR 95), a rustic Jeep road. It has many twists and turns and crosses several streams (dry and/or wet). The road mostly goes downhill, with some steep parts. There are some short “kickers” with inclines as steep as 14%. Eventually, you will reach Williamson Valley Road.

Williamson Valley Road

Back on a smooth gravel road, Williamson Valley Road runs to the north. At a bit past 28 miles, you’ll see a steel-truss bridge that appears misplaced in this remote landscape. Once a smaller part of a grand seven-span bridge that succumbed to floods in 1916, it now stands here, relocated and rebuilt by the AZ Highway Department in 1936. You’ll complete the loop and head back into the Bar-Triangle Ranch. 88-mile riders will turn right on Camp Wood Road for a second loop.

WHERE/WHEN

Prescott, AZ – May 4, 2024

The Start/Finish venue will be at the Bar-Triangle Ranch, a working cattle ranch.  This is the site the former site of the tiny hamlet of Simmons, where a stage stop and post office once operated.

88 miles and 46 mile routes

ACCOMODATIONS

Many hotels, motels, homestays in the nearby towns of Prescott, Prescott Valley and Prescott National Forrest

THE SPIRIT WORLD 100

Dear gravel riders, soul surfers & anyone who uses the bike to escape time… 

We are Heidi Rentz & Zander Ault

We’re co-creators, gravel cyclists, chefs & party animals. We’re so freaking excited to see you in Patagonia, Arizona for a gravel road race that has inspired every aspect of our lives.  

The Spirit World 100 is a down home gravel road expedition that has been in creation for 4 years. We’ve been exploring the outer reaches of our abilities to be spirited entrepreneurs in an attempt to bring something from another universe to the event scene. Our main goal is to connect more people through our contagious love for riding bikes, cooking and throwing a mean party. Now, we just need all you special humans to bring your creative and powerful energy to the desert southwest.  

The Spirit World 100 and 50-mile course options are 2 of our most coveted and adored gravel routes in southern Arizona. Each course option is a reflection of the thousands of hours we’ve spent soaring through the San Rafael Valley since 2015. In order to showcase one of the Nations best remote and purely quiet destinations, we have partnered with the Town of Patagonia to invite riders and their families to the high desert. Obsessed with the landscape of the borderlands region, we’ve studied the maps of this area and are working closely with regional government, land management and private entities to make this place more accessible for the entire gravel cycling community. We want to help redefine the future of outdoor recreational tourism in the greater Tucson and borderlands region of The Copper State and The Spirit World 100 will be a key player in this mission.   

If we said this wasn’t a race, we’d just sound ridiculous. Any time you place 100’s of riders on the start line, it’s a race! This race is a place to find the answer to why challenging ourselves in unfamiliar conditions is so sought after. We’re only human and we were put on this earth to move, sweat, be affected and feel the power of confidence that our raw and natural surroundings can instill. The Spirit World 100 is a celebration of exactly what you’re searching for every time you jump on your bike. You’re welcomed in, wholeheartedly. 

Tucson, Arizona is our home. When we aren’t there, we’re hosting private gravel and road cycling camps around the globe. For sometime now, we’ve wanted to create an event that everybody felt comfortable committing to. Cycling camps aren’t for everybody. They may never meet your personal schedule or provide enough of what you’re looking for in a vacation. The Spirit World 100 has been designed to deliver fun, challenge and growth oriented human interaction over the course of 4 days. We couldn’t be more excited to show you Patagonia, Arizona and the San Rafael Valley. See you in The Spirit World!

Teeth to the wind,