Southern Arizona Mountain Bike Association

Ride Schedule for

July and August, 2008

WELCOME TO SAMBA!

Our objective is to promote the enjoyment of mountain biking and nature; to protect and enhance mountain biking opportunities; and to support environmentally and socially responsible use of the land. We're a non-profit organization of people who enjoy mountain biking. We schedule mountain bike rides and related events every week. We know the mountains and desert country of Arizona, and we lead rides into some of the most beautiful and remote country on earth. We offer rides suited to varied skill levels, and encourage beginners to become one with their bike. Non-members and new mountain bikers are welcome. For your own safety, you should be sure that your bike is well-maintained, that you're familiar with its operation, and that you're fit enough to ride at least 15 miles. Helmets are required on all SAMBA rides. Call the ride leader if you'd like to discuss whether a ride is appropriate for you. If you haven't spent much time on the trail, be sure to call our info line (323-0571) or the ride leader (as listed on the schedule).

All rides leave from the north parking lot of Himmel Park, off 1st st. between Tucson Blvd. and Country Club, unless otherwise indicated. You can also catch us at the trailhead (please notify the ride leader so that we will be looking for you). Check the website for changes. Helmets are required on all SAMBA rides.

All rides are scheduled on Saturdays unless otherwise noted. Call Jim DiDomenico (358-4438) for more information.

DUE TO THE SUMMER HEAT, AND LOWER RIDER TURNOUT, MANY RIDES WILL MEET AT THE TRAILHEAD INSTEAD OF HIMMEL PARK.  PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL RIDE LEADER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO RIDE!

JULY 4-6. LOS BURROS CAMP-OUT

There has been a change to the 4th of July weekend camp-out. It has been decided that since our Memorial Day trip to Los Burros was canceled due to unseasonably cold and wet weather, we will go there for the 4th instead of Silver City, NM. Los Burros is a Forest Service campground in the White Mountains east of Pinetop - Lakeside. It sits at an elevation of around 7900 ft. next to a large meadow where you can often see elk browsing at dusk and dawn. It's a small campground with about 10 picnic tables and grills. There is an outhouse style toilet but no running water. Bring plenty of water with you. The campground is adjacent to the Los Burros Trail, considered by many to be the crown jewel of the White Mountains Trail System. We will ride this trail and probably one or two others in the area. The riding on the whole is not too difficult technically but the altitude can be challenging. The high temperatures this time of year generally range into the 80's but can drop near freezing at night. We are on the cusp of our summer thunderstorm season and they can be quite intense up on the Mogollon Rim. So be prepared for heavy rain, both in your camping and riding gear. A thunderstorm can drop the temperature dramatically, so carry a warm layer as well as a waterproof one. For those who eschew the romance of camping, you can find a room in Pinetop and join us for riding in the morning. I will probably go up a day or two before the 4th to stake a claim for a site. If you want to go on this trip, please inform me by 7/1. Tom 623-9347 tbartlett79@earthlink.net

DIRECTIONS:

From the intersection of State Routes 73 and 260, south of Lakeside, take 260 east to McNary. In McNary (if you blink, you'll miss it), turn left onto the Vernon Road (County Rt. 3140) and go 0.2 miles to stop sign. Continue straight on dirt road and go 3.1 miles to where County Rt. 3140 changes to Forest Rt. 224. Continue straight on FR 224 for 4.1 miles to the Los Burros campground sign. If you add that all up it's about 7 1/2 miles from the turn in McNary. Looking to the right, you should see the large meadow before you get to the turn. Turn right at sign (set back a bit from the road, so watch for it) and go to the far end of the campground, near the trailhead and toilet. For those with GPS The turn in McNary onto the Vernon Rd. is about:

34? 4.403' N , 109? 51.220' W

The turn off of the Vernon - McNary Rd. (FR 244) into the campground is about:

34? 8.755' N , 109? 46.675' W

Coordinates derived from Google Earth.

SOME INTERWEBS TO PERUSE:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&pwst=1&q=los%20burros%20campground&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/campgrounds/devcamp/devcamp_losburros.shtml

http://www.ci.pinetop-lakeside.az.us/trailsystem.shtml

http://www.swlink.net/~hokans/AZWM_Trails.html

JULY 5 - Starr Pass.  For those not going to Los Burros.  Meet at Starr Pass Trailhead at 6:30 AM.  Laura Meyer  891-5029  mtbrules@cox.net

JULY 12 - Sweetwater Trail. Easy, rolling hills through Sweetwater Preserve.Meet at Trailhead at 6:30 AM.  Take Silverbell Rd. north from Speedway.  West on Camino del Cerro.  South onTortilita Rd. to end.  Sue Hall 743-4113.  rskifer@gainbroadband.com.

JULY 19 - Fantasy Island Full Moon Night Ride. Bring lights to last at least 2+ hours.  Meet at the Trailhead at Harrison and Irvington Rds. @ 7:30 PM   Jim DiDomenico @ 358-4438.  jdidomenico@msn.com.

JULY 26 - AZ Trail at Three Bridges.  Slightly technical, intermediate ride on the AZ Trail from Three Bridges Trailhead to Colossal Cave. Meet at Himmel Park at 6:00 AM or at trailhead at approx.6:40.  I-10 E to Rt 83 exit. North on 83 and E on Frontage Rd which is on the North side of I-10 to trailhead.  Dick Hall 743-4113  rskifer@gainbroadband.com

AUGUST 2 - Tortolita Preserve.  Meet at the trailhead (not Himmel Park) at 6:30 AM.  From Tangerine Rd, North on Dove Mountain Blvd, West on Moore Rd., when the pavement ends, the trailhead is less than 100 yards on the right side of the road. Tom Bartlett  623-9347   tbartlett79@earthlink.net

AUGUST 9 - Guajolote Flat. Meet at 6:00 AM at Himmel Park or approx 6:40 at I-10 and Rt. 83.  Loop trail on jeep trails at about 6000 ft. elevation. Nice views of  So.AZ and Mexico. At least 10 degrees cooler than Tucson!  Stan Peterson  299 9012 stanpede70@msn.com.

AUGUST 16 - Full Moon Night Ride at Starr Pass.  Bring lights to last 2+ hours.  Meet at Starr Pass Trailhead  at 7:30 PM.  Jim DiDomenico  358-4438  jdidomenico@msn.com.

AUGUST 23 - Mt. Lemmon / Aspen Draw Trail.   Very cool  ride  at  9000 ft. elevation!  Significant climbing and technical descent above ski valley.  Meet at Himmel Park at 7:30 AM or Le Buzz parking lot NE corner of Tanque Verde / Catalina Hwy @ 8:00am.  No Pass needed as we will park in Summerhaven!  Jim 358-4438 jdidomenico@msn.com.

Non-members are welcome at all our events. If you like what you see, then you can Join SAMBA. It is really cheap to belong to SAMBA -- $15 for an individual, $20 for a family. You can fill out the form on the Web Site and send it with your check to SAMBA, 2720 E. 3rd St., Tucson, AZ 85716. Or call our information number.

SAMBA

ride information: (520) 358-4438 or pollock@arizona.edu

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