Overview: The routes below offer a progressive training plan that introduces more miles, more elevation, and more technical features at each phase. This will make your race day more enjoyable while also extending courtesy to the other racers by practicing things like how to respectfully get off the course if you can’t continue riding. The shortcuts depart from the course for returning back to your starting point but are still good practice for trail features that will be encountered in future phases.
Disclaimer: Everything is offered for entertainment purposes only. Each individual accepts all liability for following these routes and should validate the directions while always riding within your ability.
Parking: Don’t forget to park your vehicle with courtesy by utilizing street parking instead of private parking lots that businesses need for their paying customers.
Phase One
5 miles and 549 feet of climbing, including the last 1.63 miles of the Copper Basin Road climb, the Cold Springs and Pott’s Creek singletrack segments, and an off-course shortcut down High Valley Ranch back to the starting point. Session the technical rock features on Pott’s Creek multiple times while also looking for courteous ways to walk down the feature or around if encountering a stalled rider. Learn how to pace yourself on the climb and try to make it all the way up the Copper Basin Rd segment with limited or no stops. Parking is available at the starting point for 1-3 vehicles in a small pull-off on the southeast side of the road.
Phase Two
9 miles and 1,014 feet of climbing, including the Copper Basin Road Climb from Hassayampa Village Ln followed by the same singletrack and off-course return as Phase One. Continue to session the technical features on Pott’s Creek. Learn how to pace yourself on the climb, including trying to make it all the way to the mailboxes on the north side of Copper Basin Rd without stopping; then rest (if needed) and try to make it from there to the Aspen Creek trailhead without stopping.
Phase Three
14 miles and 1,401 feet of climbing. Includes the same Copper Basin Rd climb segment of Phase Two before extending the singletrack to all of Pott’s Creek, Butte Creek, the infamous Butte Connector “cramp hill”, and Garden Grove. Session the technical rock features on Butte Creek, including practicing how to walk up them or safely walk around a stalled rider. Work on proper line choice and pedal cadence for the best traction up cramp hill, including being prepared to pull off the trail to rest or walk your bike around other stalled riders. An off-course shortcut then takes you down the Miller Creek trail to the Thumb Butte Road section of the course. A final off-course shortcut on Hassayampa Village Ln returns to the start.
Phase Four – Full Course
19.6 miles and 1,849 feet of climbing. Starts and ends downtown. Session the technical climb and descent at the end of West Trail. If needed, riders can take the same Phase Three shortcut down Miller Creek to skip the Garden Party and West Trail singletrack segments.
