By now, news of my Dad has come from home, and I need to get to an airport and find a place to stow the Winnie to fly back to Texas. Phoenix seems to be the most logical option, so as not to have to winterize the Winnie (pay no attention to that recent snow covering on the saguaros!) So I head for McDowell Mountain Regional Park, a place I have been before, so I am familiar with the area. I will make this my base for a couple of days while I scout out suitable storage areas.
But McDowell also offers an added bonus. My friends Jim and Gayle are there! They left Zion a bit suddenly, leaving me with nothing but a mournful “Goodbye, Peterman! man…man…man” echoing across the canyon. So I would have a chance to see them one more time, and bid them a proper goodbye.
But also, I had another motive. After having traveled, hiked, and biked with the Red Rocks Gang for a couple of months, I had become intrigued by their love of mountain biking. We had talked several times about my coming to McDowell, renting a mountain bike, and test driving some of the easier trails with them to see if it was a sport in which I wanted to invest. And “invest,” one must as comfort comes at a price in this sport!
My current Trek hybrid is over 15 years old, so after hundreds of miles from Niagara to the Pacific Northwest, I feel like I have gotten my money’s worth, and am entitled to consider a new bike. The question is, which kind of biking do I want to do? How could I make this decision never even having sat on a mountain bike before?
Peterman, who is on hiatus while waiting for his Xarelto to kick in, has generously offered up the use of his bike for a test drive. I accept reluctantly after inquiring as to the need to “lawyer up.” 😉 The first thing I notice when I sit down? “It’s SPRINGY!” Instantly, I see what all the suspension fuss is about. Like sitting down on a Tempurpedic for the first time after a lifetime on a futon. But oh, just you wait!
Gayle asks, “How far are you up to?” She rattles off some choices, but I am lured in by the one that carries the distinction of being her favorite loop. “LET’S DO IT!” I say!
I have ridden over some pretty rough dirt roads in my past, but never ones with three to four foot dips and rises. Gayle gives me a few pointers, and we are off and rolling. As we come to the first ditch, I brace for impact, holding on, clenching my teeth, and preparing to be pitched over the handle bars. But instead, the bike glides over dips, ruts, rocks, and obstacles with nary a bump. This must be what it feels like to ride on a cloud! I am “yippie-ing and yahooing” all the way down the canyon!
As we approach the downhill stretch of the Pemberton Trail, Gayle tells me we are now at her favorite stretch along the loop. She speeds up, and I am pedaling as fast as I can to catch her. She shouts out the hazards up ahead “Deep sand! Don’t slow down! Keep pedaling!” She occasionally stops to wait for me to catch up, throwing a sly smile over her shoulder, telling me what lies ahead. “Just one more uphill stretch” said with a tone that sounds a little too much like Dr. Evil’s extortion threat of “One meeellion dollars!”
Soon, we have completed the ten mile loop. I have broken Peterman’s seat not once but twice, run through several thorny cactus plants, splashed through a slurry of mud, and stripped the gears a couple of times, but I don’t think it is damage he will notice…at least not until the Xarelto takes effect. 😉
We love that park too! So…looks like there may a mountain bike in your future! Full suspension is a wonderful invention!
Prepare to ante up a couple of grand, my dear…which hurts far worse than falling off your new bike, which you will 🙂 I imagine the glorious day, you, Gayle, me, and Boonie, riding up Flying Monkey!!!! and then flying decent back down 🙂
Save your pennies. Man, you joined an expensive bunch of RV adventurers :))
Box Canyon Mark
A mountain bike is a great choice as you can literally go anywhere. If you buy a full suspension one make sure it has good lock outs on the suspension, the reason is that you can lock them up for riding on the flat otherwise you loose so much energy that flat trail riding becomes hard work. With the experience of all your friends I’m sure you’ll have good advice. Biking is great fun, I love it. PS We have just become grandparents for the first time.
I hope your father is recovering from his illness. Best wishes for a quick recovery.
Ahhhh…. I wish I was there. I took Jim’s advice on a bike but don’t know how to ride it well yet. Which trail? Which hill? WHEN do I peddle. I’m heading down there next week and will check out the Pemberton Trail – now where is the sand trap?
So glad you had a friend meet up, if he’s still your friend after your broke his bike???
Thinking of you and your family.
Wow, that last picture is stunning, you make me want to go there. I want a mountain bike too now.
Oh, boy, a new mountain bike is on its way!! Sounds like you and Gayle had a great ride.
We have never been to McDowell but are hoping to catch a night or two this spring. Sure looks like a great place. Love your welcome rainbow!!
We too love that park! Happy bike shopping!
Once I got back on the bike again I am loving McDowell all over again. For me two types of bike riding puts the smile of a 12 year old back on your face. Those would be mountain biking and riding a recumbent road bike or trike.
Had a bloody injury yesterday, pictures to follow, news at 11. I was surprised that I didn’t bleed that much although it was running down my leg into my sock. Back to the clipless pedals for me. What’s the worst that could happen. And the most fun is letting it all out on the downhill. You only live once it just seems longer if you do it wrong.
Peterman
Wheee! Sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve always looked at those crazy desert riders like they were, well…crazy! But after hearing your description maybe I’ll give it a try someday. Of course I’ll have to have a friend and guide like you did first.