White Tank mountain regional park is located to the west of Phoenix. There is a 6$ per car charge to use the park.there are a couple of trail options.

I set out in the morning to go get a quick ride in at the Sonoran competitive track. This trail was a fun warm up, but short and easy. Mainly consisting of fast double track with some fun dips and rollers, but offering 2 technical sections as o options. The two tech options are fun additions to the trail and would recommend them.

The outermost loop was about 13 km and took about 45min, its a good warm up for any of the other trails in the park.

Corner/jump on the technical loop.

Later that day, myself and Firth went back to the park to check out what the rest of the trails have to offer.

Elements………

We had been pointed in the direction of the Mesquite Canyon trail.  The trail meanders up through the canyon/valley with some tight switchbacks and rocky outcrops. It is a steep technical climb for the first few km’s them mellows out to a consistent uphill pitch for the next 8 or so km’s.

We climbed for the better park of 13lm, with Firth riding ahead at a ridiculous speed, then returning to greet me….only to do it again and again.

After having one or two conversations over weather to turn around or keep climbing, we finally decided to make the turn at the 13km mark.

The View……

The last rays on the trail.

It was getting pretty dark by this point in our eve as we started to descend. Just as things were beginning to have fun, PPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Doah! A hole in my brand new tire that STANS wouldn’t solve. We fixed up the flat and popped a tube in and continued to rip down. This trail was painful on the way up, but pretty fun on the way down. By now we had gotten into very little light and the trail was getting tough to seem the perfect time for another flat tire……  popped in a new tube, got er rolling only to have to walk down the technical descent via cellphone flashlight app.

 

We finally got back to the car a good 1.5hr after dark……

Although we didn’t get to enjoy most of the descent it made for a fun adventure and a good spring ass kicking of a ride.

Trail head sign.

Parking lot map.

The second ride of my trip down to Phoenix was on the Estrella Competitive track, in Estrella Mountain Park. The ride consisted of 2 loops, the technical loop and the long loop. I decided that i would do the tech loop first.

The tech loop was not very difficult compared to our trail standards, but did have some fun sections, with some small tech descents and a few techy climbs. though the majority of this loop was quite flat and didn’t gain much elevation over 4.6km.

The beginning of the tech loop.

The long loop left less to be desired then the tech loop. Consisting of about half jeep road covered in pebbles,

and half single track .

There was little to no evidence of any maintenance on the trail. This was a prime example  of a trail that would be slightly more enjoyable on a 29er. There were no steep climbs and very little descents, mainly flat winding trail.

One of the few short descents on the long loop.

 

The final descent of the trail, fast double track rollers.

As far as Phoenix area rides, i wouldn’t recommend the long loop and if you were to decide to visit this trail, a few laps of the tech loop would be the most enjoyable but not a highlite trail in the Phoenix area.

 

 

I always wondered what it was going to feel like to look back at my old mountain bikes and bike photos. Recently I have done this and am reminded of how things have progressed…a lot!! in 10 years. Wow…it kinda makes me feel old. On my last trip back to Australia I found some pics I had taken (or had been taken of me) on my first full suspension downhill race machine!!! It was a Specialized FSR Comp circa 1999 complete with Manitou Xvert Triple clamp forks( an upgrade).If i remember correctly this bike cost $2850.oo Australian….oh my how things have changed. Over the years I added some sweet custom upgrades including DMR 3 piece cranks, Azonic stem (probably 60mm down from 90mm stock!), Tioga Factory DH tires and eventually a Rockshox Psylo fork once the Manitou crapped itself!! This did little  to affect the steep head angle of the bike, budget rear shock, the vague sensation of braking offered by my super sweet Avid v brakes but it was still rad and i had so much fun learning on it.

I even found some early racing photos, note the sweet builds and awesome style! So kids, think yourself lucky.Your first downhill bike is 10 times better than anything the previous generation use to ride….NO EXCUSES!!!!!!

Enjoy these gems.

                 Sweet endo!.. Callum gettin rad on his Giant Hardtail

                      Me ripping our local DH run…35 seconds of awesome suburban downhill.

           Showing some style!!…nice!

                    This was my first downhill helmet..Netti fullface…also my first jersey.$2.00 button up from the thrift store.

                              Callum getting wicked on the Woralla jumps.

                                                   These shots are from a junior race at Mt Buller circa 1999. I didn’t own a full face at the time and had to rent a moto lid from the shop on the hill…rocking no style.

            Granton race.It snowed…wtf!!!! Lost all braking power care of v brakes and had to zip tie my grips on to stop them from sliding off, no chainguide..no worries!…race kinda sucked, i’m not going to lie.

                                        Part of  a Victoria race series. Went to watch this event. Narrow bars and style for miles…Hope he’s had his Weet-Bix!!!

 

 

 

Trail head.

Having come down to Phoenix to visit my family for a mid winter vacation, I  took it upon myself to check out a few of south Phoenix’s trails. I contacted a local bike shop, Ultimate Cycle, and the staff down there was great. They have  a great little shop, and are all avid riders that were more then helpful. They pointed me in the direction of some fun areas they had to offer. The first area that they said i should check out is the Fantasy Island North Single track (F.I.N.S).

Trail entrance, man made trail features are a bit different the we are accustomed to(expert feature)

F.I.N.S is located in the south west corner of Phoenix in the community of Estrella, just west of Estrella Mountain park. There is a network of trails here that can give you about 15 miles worth of riding.

All the trails are single track and range from reasonably mellow flowey single track to some tougher climbs and fun descents.

Heading out near the beginning of the trail.

The trails are reasonably well marked, though not all trails appear on the map.

Some of the common vegetation.

Live stock does not last too long in the heat of the desert. these remains can be found on a trail named the Bone yard.

Coming down North Star, my favorite descent of the area.

Though there was not too many features on the trail there was the odd drop or two that were fun.

 

A view of North Star from the top.

A look back a t Grunt, the climb that leads to North Star.

Riding in the desert is a different experience to the mountains in Canada. The first thing you must be prepared for is thorns and cactus pricks, so i recommend that every one have either slime tubes or Stan’s equipped tubeless(i prefer tubeless). Also a spare tube should be brought as well due to the sharp rocks. Water is a must, and as much as you can carry if the sun is out.  Sun screen is also something that will make your ride more enjoyable.

One of the local creatures hanging out with me at the top of the trail for a break.

A closer look at the wild life.

I had a Blast riding in this zone and recommend it to anyone who might be staying in the Phoenix area. A big thanks to the staff at Ultimate Cycle.