Jump on Your Bike and Ride!

Cooler temperatures are enticing us to get outside and enjoy some recreational activity. Mountain biking is one of the top activities of choice at nearby McDowell Mountain Regional Park. With over 40 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, there is something to suit all riding abilities. There is even a Technical Loop for expert riders to sharpen their skills.

Fountain Hills resident Vicky Derksen recently rented an electric-assist mountain bike from McDowell Mountain Cycles so she could join her husband on the trails.

“Mark has wanted me to mountain bike with him for years, but it’s not really my thing. When I rented the eBike, I fell in love with the experience. I set it at a medium assist level and had no problem keeping up with him. I was able to ride 14 miles and see the farthest reaches of the park without exhaustion. I look forward to another eBike experience.”

For those who prefer paved pathways, the Valley of the Sun is filled with options, such as the nearby Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt in Scottsdale and the Rio Salado Pathway in Mesa.

The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt (and its extensions both north and south) is an oasis of parks, lakes, paths, and golf courses that runs through the heart of Scottsdale. It is rated among the top urban “green spaces” in Arizona. Riders can park near Jade Palace across from the hospital on Shea and ride to Tempe Town Lake.

The Rio Salado Pathway connects to several other bike paths that can take riders as far as Chandler Heights, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. The Pathway follows the Riverview Park near the Loop 101 and Loop 202 interchange. Riders can get started from the Sloan Park parking lot and head west until the trail ends near the airport or veer onto other connecting paths for a longer ride.