Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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trails; there are a few that explore history as well as natural terrain, most notably the
17-mile Rim Trail (see chapter 11).
Some of the best biking in the area is in Arizona. With its wide range of climates, this
sunny state offers good pedaling somewhere in the state every month of the year. In sum-
mer, the
Kaibab National Forest
(btw. Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park; see
chapter 16) offers good mountain biking. There's also excellent biking at several Phoenix
parks. Our favorite trail is the
Desert Classic,
in South Mountain Park (see chapter 13).
Tucson is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country. Check out the
Bajada
Loop Drive
in the Saguaro National Park (see chapter 12). One of the best spots in the
region is Sedona; head to the
Bell Rock Pathway
(see chapter 15).
Known World Guides,
in Velarde (
&
800/983-7756
or 575/983-7756; www.
knownworldguides.com), offers single-day and multiday trips all over New Mexico, with
options such as 3 days in the Jemez Mountains, west of Santa Fe, or 5 days in the Gila
National Forest in Silver City.
Mellow Velo,
in Santa Fe (
&
505/982-8986;
www.
mellowvelo.com), runs bike tours to some of the most spectacular spots in northern New
Mexico. Trips range from the easy Train Tour south of Santa Fe, to a challenging Borrego
Bust ride in the Santa Fe National Forest.
Bicycle Adventures
(
&
800/443-6060
or
360/786-0989) offers tours to northern New Mexico. Riders get to experience some of
the region's most lovely routes such as the High Road to Taos and the Enchanted Circle.
Participants visit major sights such as Santa Fe's Canyon Road and Taos Pueblo and can
even opt for a river trip. In business for over 2 decades, this company knows how to put
together a good tour.
Backroads
(
&
800/462-2848
or 510/527-1555; www.backroads.com) offers 7-day
multisport trips through southern Utah and the Grand Canyon for $1,998 to $2,498.
There's also a similar 9-day cycling trip ($3,098).
Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations
(
&
800/730-4771
or 802/425-4771; www.gosojourn.com) offers 6-day bike tours of
the Sonoran Desert near Tucson. Tours are $2,395.
Western Spirit Cycling Adventures
(
&
800/845-2453
or 435/259-8732; www.westernspirit.com) has a number of interest-
ing mountain-bike tours, including trips to both the North and South rims of the Grand
Canyon and through the desert south of Tucson. This company also offsets its carbon
emissions and consequently is a carbon-neutral company. Each trip lasts 5 days and costs
$1,185.
Arizona Outback Adventures
(
&
866/455-1601
or 480/945-2881; www.aoa-
adventures.com) does 5-day Sonoran Desert single-track mountain bike tours for $999
and 3-day trips for $599.
WomanTours
(
&
800/247-1444
or 585-256-9807; www.
womantours.com) offers a couple of different Arizona bike tours that are exclusively for
women. You'll pay $1,690 for a 7-day tour.
For the multisport fan,
The World Outdoors
(
&
800/488-8483
or 303/413-0938;
www.theworldoutdoors.org) offers a variety of trips, including Utah adventures with
mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and rafting to the Canyonlands area, plus
hiking/biking trips in the vicinities of Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the North Rim of the
Grand Canyon.
Some books to check out are
Mountain Biking Moab
(Falcon Press) and
Mountain
Biking New Mexico
(Falcon Press). To research Arizona trails, pick up a copy of
Fat Tire
Tales and Trails,
by Cosmic Ray.
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