SONORAN DESERT MOUNTAIN BICYCLISTS
Thanks for visiting the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists! We are an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization devoted to the promotion of mountain biking, and view the sport as a vehicle to promote low impact outdoor recreation, conservation, and opportunities that are environmentally and socially responsible. We hope that you will use this website as your Tucson mountain biking resource for finding events and trails to ride, as well as to stay up-to-date and help our trail advocacy efforts.
5-7-2013 Update
SDMB Needs YOU!
How can you help make mountain biking in Tucson better? Join SDMB – a Chapter of IMBA, share and lead a ride sometime, participate in our monthly TLC days, help with tabling at special events such as Cyclovia or the bike swap, help with fundraising, organizing events, or just be a part of the discussion. Whatever your interest and expertise, we can use your skills.
The bulk of this work is done by a handful of volunteers who also have jobs, families, and other obligations. We are always looking for new people to step up. In order for SDMB to become more than it is now, to do more and be more effective in achieving what we all want – for Tucson to be a mountain bike destination with world class trails and features, we need you to join in the fun. We are always looking for new folks to get involved. If you or someone you know might be interested, contact us for a meeting to discuss ways you can help out SDMB and the mountain bike trails community.
Cinco de Mayo Recap!
We had a great turnout for our Cinco de Mayo Aspen Draw shuttle and Picnic. Thanks to everyone who came out, and a special thanks to Chris for the great photos!
May Last Saturday Ride – 5/25 – Bigelow to Molino
May LSR 5/25 – Mt. Lemmon Bigelow to Molino: Meet at Le Buzz at 7:00, carpool to Molino Basin parking area, and shuttle to the top of Bigelow at the radio towers. Start riding at 8:30 – Kellog Mtn Trail, Incinerator Ridge, Green Mountain, Bug Spring, and finish with Prison Camp to Molino. This will probably be 4 hours (+/-) on trail depending on group size. The ride is a difficult 4-D type ride with tough climbs at higher elevation, lots of technical challenges (e.g. big/loose rocks, ruts). There are a number of bail-out points along the route to hop back on the highway if time is an issue. RSVP to our Facebook Event, or let Zach know you're coming.
May Trail Love Day – 5/11 – Hope Camp
For May, we are partnering with the ATA, SNP and the other mountain bike groups in town to do some work on the newly opened Hope Camp Trail. Please join us on Saturday, May 11th at 7am at the Camino Loma Alta Trailhead. Lunch will be provided at 11am. Dress prepared and bring water. RSVP with Matt Neslon at matthew@aztrail.org.
4-26-2013 Update
Cinco de Mayo Ride and Potluck – Sunday, May 5th
Last year’s SDMB/TucsonMTB Cinco de Mayo Ride moved from the traditional Sweetwater location to Bug Springs and Molino picnic area to beat the heat as well as the piñata. This year we are going higher. We are going to ride Aspen Draw. And picnic after at Inspiration Rock. We will meet at le Buzz at 8 to coordinate rides. Shuttles (or if anyone wants to pedal up…) will start from the base of the run in Summerhaven at 9. We will do as many as we can until noon, and head down to Inspiration Rock picnic area for a potluck picnic. SDMB will provide water and drinks, some snacks, and bagels for pre-ride. Everyone else is to bring a dish or snack, or salad or etc; something that doesn’t need heating up of course. Let Brian Vance know if you are interested, and what you can bring. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
SDMB Micro Grant 2013
Once again, SDMB is proud to offer a $1000 grant available to Pima County residents and organizations with the intent of bettering the local biking community. All projects will be reviewed and rated according to guidelines established by the SDMB Grant Committee. Applications are accepted by mail only, and must by postmarked by June 30, 2013 in order to be considered. Applications will be reviewed and the winner(s) will be notified by July 31, 2013. Download the Application Information Sheet here.
4-23-2013 Update
April Bug Springs Trail Work
Thanks to everyone who came out and helped us clean up some of the Bug Springs trail. Here are a few photos taken of the before and after:
4-5-2013 Update
SDMB & Cyclovia Tucson – April 7th
Who’s ready for another fabulous day with car-free streets between downtown Tucson and the City of South Tucson? Bring your walking shoes, roller skates, or bike to the event and be prepared to see Tucson’s streets like never before. Got some bike-handling skills? Try them out at SDMB’s Obstacle Course! We’ll be located on 23rd Street and 4th Avenue. Hope to see you there! For more Cyclovia information, see their website.
GABA 4th Avenue Bike Swap – April 14th
It’s time for the Spring 2013 GABA Tucson Bike Swap. Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 7AM through 2PM. It’s four city blocks, closed to car traffic in Tucson’s lively Fourth Avenue district, centered at the corner on 5th Avenue and 7th Street! SDMB will have a booth so come by, say “hello”, find out more about our events, and purchase some really great SDMB shirts, hats, jerseys, and socks!
April Trail Love – Bug Springs – April 20th
Our April Trail Love will be taking place on Mt. Lemmon on our favorite SDMB adopted trail: Bug Springs. Come prepared in work clothes, gloves, and water. We’ll meet at LeBuzz Cafe at 7:30am to carpool, and we’ll hike in from the lower trailhead.
April Last Saturday Ride – April 27th- Sweetwater
Not riding the Whiskey? Then why not join SDMB for April’s Last Saturday Ride. If you’re not heading up to Prescott then meet up with our ride leader Bert at the Sweetwater trail-head for some modest paced loops on one of our favorite local systems. Saturday April 27th, 8:00am.
3-19-2013 Update
March LSR – “Into the Tortolita Trail system: from the backside!”
Join SDMB on Saturday March 30th as we do an out and back ride into the Tortolita Trail System – from the back, er, east side…
This ride starts at 8:30 from the windmill parking / trail-head near the west end of Rail X Ranch Road (headed west off of Oracle Road at the North end of the town of Catalina, just before Saddle Brook Blvd). The road off Oracle is dirt but easily passable by passenger car to the parking area. You can’t miss it, turn west off the highway and drive toward the Tortolitas…
From our starting point there are several options to ride. We might break into groups, but the main group intends to do the steep climb up the jeep road then drop into the east end of the inner basin of the Tortalita Mountains. If you have not been into this area before it is well worth the effort – it is a Sonoran desert wonderland inside that mountain range… Anyway, we will do an out and back, venturing 5 to 10 miles out to the current point of constuction on the connector trail, near the top of Wild Burro (above the Ritz).
Please EXPECT for this to be an adventure - depending on your skill level and fitness, it could could be a tough ride. Although we would never leave anybody behind all riders are expected to be self supported. This trail leads into remote country and there is no water available. If it is a good spring day it will be warm – have appropriate equipment, wear sunscreen and bring plenty if not extra food and water! The trail is mostly XC with a lot of good climbs and technical challenges tossed in to keep you on your toes. Probably 3 to 5 hours on the trail depending on events – it is work to get into those mountains then work to get back out, but again – well worth the effort.
This should be a good one – hope to see you there!
March Trail Love
TLC crew Martin, Max, Max, & Luong working the Tortalitas (TLC Director Evan took the shot). Turns out, the grey, drizzly day made the trails awesome to work on. Thanks!
2-26-2013 Update
Sonoran Desert Museum – Buffelgrass Removal on Sunday, March 3rd
2:30 – 4:30pm. Bring sturdy shoes/boots, long sleeves and pants, hat, reusable water bottle, gloves if you have them, shovel or pick if you have them. Meet at pull-outs K-18 and K-19 along Kinney Rd. To get there, take Speedway/Gates Pass Rd. over Gates Pass, turn right onto Kinney Rd. at the T intersection, heading toward the Desert Museum. Drive about 1 mile. You will pass McCain Loop Rd. and the Brown Mountain picnic area. If you reach the Desert Museum, you went too far. Staff will carry cell #334-5978, but reception is spotty in the mountains. Please try to carpool as parking is very limited. Please RSVP directly to Sonya at the Desert Museum via email at snorman@desertmuseum.org.
Trail Love Corps (TLC) – Sunday, March 9 – Tortolitas
We will be working wtih Martin Adriaanse to help him finish up a few projects up there he has been working on since the summer. To get an idea of the work that Martin and others have been doing up there, see the thread on TucsonMTB. Meet at the Wild Burro Trailhead, 15000 North Secret Springs Drive, Marana, AZ at 8:30 AM. Lunch and refreshments will be provided after the trailwork, so please RSVP so I know how much lunch to order.As always, please bring appropriate clothing and water to be working outside in the sun for several hours. Hope to see everyone out there!
2-1-2013 Update
MTB Park Input Needed!
There is a new bike park opening in Tucson called Xtreme Fun Spot. They are open to building MTB-specific trails and features, and input is needed to help them understand what MTBers want. Apparently the best way at this point is to go onto their facebook page. If you are interested in providing input and getting more MTB-park style riding in Tucson, please take a moment to post up on their facebook page.
1-22-2013 Update
January Last Saturday / Trail Love – 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Course
It’s our monthly LSR ride – and this time the “S” is for “Sunday”! So, do you still need to pre-ride the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo course before race day? Just want to get out for a day of fun? Then join SDMB this Sunday at the 24HOP Start/Finish area for a day of riding and socializing. Meet for carpooling at the Safeway shopping center at Ina/Oracle at 9:00AM, or if you want to drive separately, meet us at the Start/Finish area (NOT the Willow Springs Arch parking lot) at 10AM. Remember to display the State Land Permit! The SDMB EZ-UP will be set up as a “base camp”. From there, the group will ride the course, or if you’re super familiar with the area, we can venture off to explore the infamous Painter Boy or Bones trails.
What SDMB will provide:
- Hibachi, charcoal and some basics (burgers & dogs)
- EZ-Up
What riders need to bring:
- Other food for the hibachi
- Favorite recovery beverage
- The family, for a fun day on the trail.
- State Land Permit!