Conference noted::bicycle

Mark,

I was in Phoenix Jan 12-19.  Phoenix is my "home town" but haven't 
ridden a bicycle there for years till this trip.
    
>>  - What is the traffic like around the area I'll be staying?

In general, you will find the traffic to be heavy all over Phoenix, 
the early morning and late afternoon "rush hours" are the worst.  On 
this trip I was surprised at the number of A**hole drivers.  I was 
riding on roads marked bicycle routes on a Sunday morning and I had 
drivers come up behind me and lay on the horn.  (Probably some 
Massachusetts transplants).
    
>>    - What are some good rides in the 20 to 40 mile range?
  
You might take Union Hill east to Scotsdale Road, go south towards the 
center of Scotsdale & then head west picking up Lincoln Blvd, north on 
16th st to Northern Ave.  (Stop at 325 West Northern Ave & pick some 
grapefruit off the trees. This is my parents' home, introduce yourself 
as being from DEC.  Tell them that their son from massachusets told 
you to stop!) Go west to 19th Ave, north to Union Hills.  I'am not 
sure of the exact mileage, but it's probably around 30.

>>   - Is it hilly?

Not right in Phoenix!  If you want hills, try the road to the top of 
South Mountain (its a city park).  
  
    - What is the temperature like in early February?
    
How does 65-70 degrees sound to you?  (It got up to about 82 degrees 
when I was there in January.  Then a storm front moved in and it was 
rainy & a cold 40's.  The morning I left to come back to Massachusetts 
it was 30 degrees at my parents place in north Phoenix!)


>>    - How windy is it there?
  
Normally very little wind.

Have a good trip.  Wish I was out there riding again!

dave
    

    What is this, a field trip?  a boon-doggle?  a free vacation?
    
    :-)
    
    eating my heart out,
    ed

    No boon-doggle here.  Anytime I can't wear my Levis, it's a major
    inconvenience.   Imagine the nerve, they expect me to wear a suit 
    every day.  I figure the least I can do is to improve my fitness 
    (for the good of the corporation) by getting some riding in.  How's 
    that for an excuse?
    
    Awaiting more input from Phoenix/Tempe.
    
    Mark

    	I grew up there, but didn't really start riding until I left.
    I go back about twice every year, and find the situation generally
    bleak for riding.  South Mountain is OK, as are some areas east
    of town.  Union Hills is on the west side, so I can't help you with
    anything specific.  In town, the car is absolutely king.  If you
    can, it is best to put your bike in the car to go looking for a
    place to ride.
    
    				good luck,
    
    						John

    Phoenix is generally flat and boring for cycling. The streets are
    several lanes wide, very straight for the most part, and they're laid
    out in in a well-planned grid. The traffic lights are timed so the
    autos don't go much above 40 m.p.h., generally. I would agree with
    the "cars are king" statement.
    
    I was out there last May, when the temp hit a record 105 so I didn't
    try riding. I did notice that the only riders I saw were out first
    thing in the a.m. before it went above 90 degrees.
    
    You might try staying in Scottsdale, if you can, as it is more towards
    the outskirts and there are a couple of Mountains over there. Come to
    think of it, you might be better off renting a mountain bike and doing
    some off-road riding.

    	Mark,
    
    	I haven't been to Phoenix in years, but it is usually very
    	hot and dry. I didn't ride while I was there, but it's
    	probably like riding in an oven.
    
    	Scott

    Well, after reading what you folks have had to say and talking to some
    ex-Phoenix residents here, I think that I'll beave the bike at home and
    find something else to do with my free time.  Thanks a bunch for the
    info.
    
    Mark

     Mark, where you will be staying is a good place to start many good
    semi desert rides from, you may want to leave your bike at home unless
    you are planning on riding daily, as you can rent a mountain bike 
    at a bike shop that's only 2 miles from the motel, cost $ 15 day, 
    $ 45 week or $ 25 for a weekend.
    Call me when you get in the plant and will fill you in on the rides ,
    ext 5693 .
    
    Chuck

    Hi, just got back into the notes file and saw your note.  From were
    you are staying you could ride to Carefree with most of your ride
    without a lot of cars.  Mostly flat with a little climb.  I live about
    40 miles from the PNO plant.  I will be at DECTECH off and on.
    
    North and west of the plant will get you to Lake Pleasant area with
    some rolling hills.  The metro area is very large, my guess is 50 miles
    east to west and about some 30 miles north to south.  You will be at
    the extreme north central  part of that area.  The car is king here but
    then I ride about 75-100 miles/week here and every time I am in Mass.       
    (Maynard area) I cant believe how narrow the roads are and how crowded
    so you have to have a lot of courage to ride there I would think.
    Temperature here will probably be lows - high 20's to 40's in the
    morning and 60's to low 70's in the afternoon.  I work in the Tempe
    plant which is about 6 miles southwest of the airport.
    
    Mike

�    then I ride about 75-100 miles/week here and every time I am in Mass.       
�    (Maynard area) I cant believe how narrow the roads are and how crowded
�    so you have to have a lot of courage to ride there I would think.

   The roads are narrow here because they're basically paved over 17'th
   century cow paths.

   And if you think they're narrow wait till there are piles of snow
   to either side (like this morning.)

    - Jim

	If you like mountain biking, try the trails in the Phoenix Mountain 
Preserve. Trail 100 starts at 7th avenue and Mountain View (about 5 mile from 
the plant and heads east for ~12 miles to Tatum. There are tunnels under all 
of the streets, so you can avoid the traffic completely.The trail is varied. 
There are several technical sections, a couple of rocky climbs, and some long 
single-track. If you're staying at Pointe Tapatio, the trail passes just north 
of the tenis courts. There will be shuttle buses from PNO to the Pointe. You 
could rent a bike here (see prior note). Also, be sure and take water with 
you. We are having cool days, but the humidity is very low.

	If you want some casual road work; try the canal bank trail. It runs 
from I-17 at about DUNLAP to the Papago buttes on the east side of Phoenix. 
However, there are a number of street crossings.

	For road work in the 40-50 mi. range, try the Cavecreek road to 
the city of Cavecreek north of Phoenix and across to Carefree and back through
Scottsdale. Or you could go west to Lake Carl Pleasant when you get to 
Cavecreek and back through Sun City.

- Eric