Desert Awareness

There are many factors to consider when ridng in any desert environment, from personal safety to the impact you will have on the desert and trails. Many of you are well aware of these issues, but for some this are a new experience. On this page, I will address some of those concerns, dispel a few myths, and hopefully inform you on how to maintain you and your bike for the most enjoyable time you can have here in AZ.

Water

If there is one thing to stress, it's water, water, water. Drink lots of water. From the moment you get to town, until the moment you leave, you should have a water bottle in your hand and you should be drinking. You might think I'm goofy, but most locals here drink between one and two gallons a day, easily. I strongly recommend that everyone use a hydration pack(i.e. Camelback, Platypus, Blackburn, etc) and have a waterbottle. I know alot of riders prefer not to use them, but if you don't drink while riding in the desert, you will hit the wall really fast and hard, but if you stay hydrated you will be fine. There is just no way to drink enough or often enough without a hydration pack. Also, a seperate waterbottle is a good idea for an electrolyte replacement drink. I also recommend 100oz bladders for those of you that have them. Too sum up, DRINK!!!!

Bike Prep

There are a few things you should do for your bike before the SpringFling. Obviously, one of the biggest concerns is flat tires. I highly recommend using tire sealant, and carrying at least one spare tube filled with sealant as well. Don't waste your time with tire liners, or thornproof tubes. Tireliners tend to be heavy, and kill the feel of your tires, and some even can break down and cause flats. Thornproof tubes also have a tendency to spontaneously shoot their valve stems right off.

I have had the best luck running lightweight tubes, with a product called True Goo. You can use much less of this brand than the others with the same protection. I used about two and a half ounces in my tubes with good success, without weighing down my wheels either.

Tires with loose open knobs tend to hook up the best on the trails we will be riding. I would recommend NOT using slicks, esp. on the front, they wash way too easily. Mythos and Fire XC Pro tend to be popular tires here, with little washing in the front. Tires with too much bite, designed for soft loamy soil tend to bite off more than the can chew and wash fairly easily. Of course, what works for one person may not for someone else, so these are just suggestions.

Make sure your bike is in good running condition, esp. the brakes. May sound silly, but we all put off maintenance, sometimes. On alot of the more technical rides, you will be WAY more confident if everything is running right.

CryptoBiotic Soil

Even though the desert can be a harsh and deadly environment, it is also a very fragile one. The soil of the desert is protected from erosion by a bacteria called cyanobacteria. This bacteria forms a crust which is the basis for desert life. This crust, which also contains fungus, algea and lichens, can take as many as fifty years to form, yet can be destroyed by an errant footprint or bike tire. It is very important to stay on the trails. When passing an oncoming rider on narrow singletrack, you should stop, take a step off the trail, and then step back onto the trail and continue, rather than ride wide to pass, widening the trail. Unlike other areas, where the area around a trail can grow back in a few seasons, desert trails tend to just grow wider.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

There are all sorts of sharp pointy things in the desert. Alot of people have quite a few misconceptions and fear about this. Basically, as long as you don't follow JimC's example, and sit on a prickly pear, you should be good.(j/k, Jim, I've done it too!).

As far as cactus go, they pose a greater danger to your tires, than you. You learn to avoid them pretty quickly. Keep your eyes open for cactus balls on the trail, but if you're slimed, even if you do hit one, you should still be good.

Alot of people have concerns about rattlesnakes and scorpions when coming to the desert. Rattlesnakes, obviously are poisonous snakes, but with a little respect they pose very little danger. In this area, they are usually still in hybernation during March, but if you do see one on the trail, stop, alert your other riders, and back away. Rattlesnakes can strike up to a third of their length away, and usually strike from a defensive, coiled position. They will also only strike as a last defense, because their venom is a part of their digestive system, and they need to preserve it. Many rattle snake bites are "dry" bites. The rumbling of oncoming bike tires is usually enough to send them scurrying off the trail before you will ever see them. The two species we have here are very shy and avoid contact with man as much as possible. The majority of rattlesnake bites in this area happen when people mess with them. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. As for scorpions, they don't really pose a great threat, but it's good idea not to toss your pack, gloves and helmet onto boulders and rockpiles when taking a break. Just remember to hang your stuff from your bike, rather than toss it on the ground. I've never seen actually seen a scorpion while MTBing. Rock climbing, oh brother, that's a different story!

Food and Equipment

On any ride in the desert(as with anywhere else) make sure and carry any tools you will need to repair your bike on the trail. Carry tubes with sealant, a patch kit and a pump. Also, a small first aid kit is a good idea. Tire boots are also a good idea in the desert.

The weather can be very unpredictable in the desert, and storms can blow in without warning, So make sure to bring a rain jacket. Also, be prepared to ride in weather ranging from 50 degrees to 80 degrees, though we will probably have sunny 70 degree weather.

For protection, some of you may want to bring leg and arm armor, and wear baggies. Most of the riders here don't use armor, but the ground is harder in the desert, than most other parts of the country. If you are a rider who likes to push your bondaries and ride the edge, you may want to consider it.

FOOD! One of my favorite subjects! Make sure to bring energy bars, and energy gels(very important) with you on the trail. The constant sun exposure here will take it's toll on you if you are not used to it, and the two things you can do to keep your energy up, is to DRINK!!! and take in enery through food. Gels work the best, because they are easy on your digestive system, and work quickly. Also, nuts and dried fruit are a good quick boost. All of this seems like common sense, but in the desert exposure to the sun, you need to be extra careful to make sure that you eat and drink enough on the trail. Oh, Yeah! Did I happen to mention water? Be safe, drink up, and have fun!

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