thump55

Howdy all. I'll be bringing my un-tan self down to your area 3/21-3/25, staying in Phoenix (not sure of exact hotel yet), but trying to stay somewhat close to Maryvale Baseball Park (Brewer Spring Training).

I will be renting a (road) bike for three days and could use some guidance on good areas to check out or to definitely avoid. I will probably not have access to a vehicle, so will be riding right from the hotel.

I'd like to hit some hills (nothing epic, I'm from Wisconsin, so I don't need much)...are the hills south of Phoenix a good place to ride? Like S. Central Ave south into the park area? Figure roughly 40-50 miles a day, maybe more, maybe less depending on terrain/weather.

Thanks for any input!

wheel

Not many hills around here. Yes South Mountain Park is one hill road out there, and is a fine route during the day.

Here are some routes

Your back bone collector east to west across the valley.
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...et-and-Encanto

east to west which goes over I 17

https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Maryland

A fun route route around North Moutain
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Mountain235785

Of Course a day on the AZ canal is a must.
Underpasses were build to avoid crossing intersections, from 70 th ave to 24 st.

https://www.srpnet.com/water/canals/distances.aspx


Here is all the bike maps for Arizona.
https://www.azbikeped.org/maps.htm

nickkoto

FWIW, the Maryvale area is borderline ghetto and aside from some freeway exit ramp motels, it's not all that close to any hotels.

I'd suggest renting a car for getting to the games and then staying somewhere closer to a good riding spot. Personally, I like riding through Papago Park, around Tempe Town Lake, and the up the Scottsdale greenbelt, but there's some pedestrians around and sometimes you have to keep it at a leisurely pace.

thump55

Thaks for the tips. I will check out the rides/area suggested.

We are renting a vehicle, but my buddies will be golfing during the day while I ride, so they will have the van, but we may be able to work something out depending on where they are golfing as far as dropping me off somewhere.

Can't wait to get there...I haven't ridden on a road in over seven weeks...

wheel

Um about two miles from his location is 8 hotels you could even use the bike on bus. Doesn't sound like he needs a special hotel.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.077162&z=14

Yea let us know where your golfing

I say if you did South Mountain, AZ canal, and the golfing location you would be very happy with the scenery and cycling.

As long as you travel during the daytime and keep your mouth shut. You will have no problems. People will think you have a gun.

I am not sure how your going to get 40 miles in riding around MUP land. Care to give him a route?

kf9yr

Where are your friends golfing? You may be better off staying nearer the golf courses. I'd stay somewhere north of Maryvale along I-17 or the 101. You would still be able to drive down to Maryvale to check out spring training but could avoid staying near the ballpark.

I live in far north Phoenix (Carefree Hwy / I-17) and have ridden down to the canal MUP and South Mountain. I haven't felt threatened or uncomfortable on my bike at all (maybe because I'm a crazy country boy from WI) on any of those routes.

The scariest route I've ridden in AZ was a loop from my house on Carefree Hwy out to Fort McDowell, then down to Fountain Hills and back via Shea and Frank Lloyd Wright BLV. There aren't any bike lanes on Shea or Frank Lloyd Wright and some of those fine upstanding citizens of Scottsdale in their BMW's, Mercedes, and Lexus' will brush you with their mirrors rather than give you a couple of feet of roadway.

I moved out here from WI in 2006. You'll get a sunburn in AZ March weather if you don't wear sunscreen! Have fun. Go Brewers!

nickkoto

Yes, a click of the map pretty well illustrates that they're freeway exit ramp motels. They're not what I'd call the ideal vacation destination for most people. Just putting it out there for someone who's 2000 miles away...

thump55

I passed along the hotel area info to my friend, who is kind of organizing the trip. We'd like to get a decent hotel in a decent neighborhood, even if it means driving a little further to the ballpark. I don't think the golfers have any specific courses in mind, so any hotel/golf course recommandations are appreciated.

When we booked the trip, I made a post in Great Lakes forum saying that it is sad that I'm most excited about going to AZ to ride a bike, not watching the Brewers or partying with my friends.

kf9yr - I am a country boy myself, not used to urban riding at all, so this will be fun.

wheel

Try Tempe/Scottsdale Arizona then and avoid the whole west valley (west of I 17). I suspect your hotel is going to be expensive. I would book it now. Last march they ran out of rental cars.

Mission Palms hotel in Tempe.

The OP said they wanted the hotel to be close to the location.

stevejaz

What kind of rider are you? I'm guessing at 50 miles a day..pretty decent. If so...stay away from the canal unless it's a very liesurely cruise. There's lot's of routes depending on what you want. Flats, climbs, hill intervals...drop me a PM, unfortunately the only day I'm available is the 25th, but, if you can hold a decent pace I'll take you on a ride that day and suggest other rides for the rest of the days. As for your location...not so good but not too bad, go north to Northern and East to Squaw Peak, go through Dreamy Draw, Camelback (great for hill intervals), Mummy Mtn area.....

Madison

I will also be in the Phoenix area, but a week later (and I'm also coming from WI!). Any suggestions regarding a bike shop that rents decent road bikes?

Thanks.

stevejaz

^Here's one in North Scottsdale that Bicycle Ranch refered me to when I was looking for a tandem.

wheel

50 mile route along the bicycle rental place. Counter clockwise You can chop that down by just using the roads which loop back up (south side)
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/50-mile349528

stevejaz

^^^can't sign off on that route...too much room for improvement. The general area is great but that route heads to far west, not enough east and not enough north;-) If someone is interested in that area, I'll recommend a much better route, especially if you want a few more vertical;-)

thump55

See ya'll in a few days. It'll be 28 degrees when I leave my house, close to 80 when I land in AZ.

I'll be the un-tan guy on a rented bike looking lost, but enjoying every mile.