August 9th, 2009
Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Arizona
Arizona has a variety of terrains, but probably the most prominent is flat desert. While there are still some great rocky climbs, here in Arizona you can really fly on the smooth, flat sections. Its a great place to work on your speed and just enjoy nature too.
If you are looking for an easy trail that the whole family will love, then visit Buffalo Park near Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a two mile loop that is mostly flat and offers several cool down stations where the kids can rest and cool off. The trail is kept in good condition. It is popular though so be on watch for hikers, bikers and dogs.
If you are looking to bike for speed, head to the Dynamite trail by Scottsdale. This is one of the fastest trails in the state. It is 20 miles of smooth trail over rolling terrain. The area has several trails which added together actually offer way more than 20 miles. It’s a good idea to bring along a map and plenty of water when biking this trail.
The Greaterville Trails have something for everyone of every ability. You can choose from several trails of varying levels of difficulty. This is a great place to practice and train for different types of biking all at the same place. These trails are somewhat secluded too which makes it a great place to have some solitude and ride just for fun.
Stay alert when you bike the Submarine Rock Trail near Sedona. This desert trail provides you with plenty of sand and dirt, plus it throws in some slickrock and loose rocks too. This is a beautiful scenic desert trail that you don’t want to miss.
The Sunset Trail near Flagstaff is a long, steady climb followed by an incredible descent. Youll start off the trail with a 7-mile climb. This will actually increase your altitude by 2,000 feet by the time you get to the top! But the downhill plummet back to your car is totally worth it!
If you are an experienced rider, you will love the 345-347 loop near Prescott. This is a challenging ten mile loop with a steep climb and awesome descent. This trail puts boulders in your path and features technical sections that are curvy and rocky along with dry sandy washes and wet creek crossings. Be prepared to pay a $5 fee if you get on the trail at Granite Mountain recreation area. This is a beautiful area to go biking but it is especially pretty in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Southern Arizona has some of the best and often overlooked bike trails in the state that run through its national forests. On these you will experience great biking and amazing scenic canyon views and just might even get a visit from local Arizona wildlife. It doesn’t matter how well you ride or if you ride for fun or adventure, Arizona has a trail just for you.