This mixed-surface bicycle ride began and ended in the Sonoran Desert, between Phoenix & Tucson, Arizona, USA. Specifically, the town of Florence, Arizona is located approximately 17 miles away.
Sonoran Desert
“The Sonoran Desert (Spanish: Desierto de Sonora) is a hot desert and ecoregion in North America that covers the northwestern Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, as well as part of the Southwestern United States (in Arizona and California). It is the hottest desert in both Mexico and the United States. It has an area of 260,000 square kilometers (100,000 sq mi).” – Wikipedia
Sonoran Desert Ride Experience Video
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew solo rides the Pure Sonoran route designed by the Dirty Freehub. This route is deceivingly easy early on, but due to the ever changing nature of mixed-surface cycling, conditions become very challenging later in the route. It is suggested you do not ride this route solo. This area is remote and desolate, and there is no cell phone coverage. Water is available near the trailhead seen in this video. JOM was riding the fabulous No. 22 Drifter Adventure Titanium bike, review coming later.
What the Dirty Freehub had to to say about this Route
“This route is just a recipe of perfection, including ten miles of the Arizona Trail (an intimate, flowy, single-track experience that will let you fall in love with the desert), a stop at the Boulders (“Joshua Tree” type geological rock figures just begging your imagination to name them), and a sweet backdrop of Black Mountain. There is plenty of wildlife along with the “not so wild” life (cows and horses). Sprinkle in the evolving, changing fauna — from prickly pears to chollas to yuccas …” – Link to the Dirty Freehub Route
“This route may have experienced severe degradation from when we first posted it due to ATV usage, lack of trail maintenance, and repeated summer monsoons.” – Circa November 2024 from the Dirty Freehub
Reminder: ALWAYS BE A STEWARD FOR GRAVEL CYCLING: Respect the roads, respect the locals, respect the land, respect your fellow cyclists.
Additional Photos
Tons more available from the Dirty Freehub Website
Support Gravel Cyclist:
Buy Me a Coffee – https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gravelcyclist
OR
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/gravelcyclist
Links of Interest:
- Dirty Freehub Website
- Pure Sonoran Route by the Dirty Freehub
- No. 22 Drifter Adventure Review Bike
- How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes!
- Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library
- Gravel Bike Tire / Tyre Pressure Recommendations
Don’t forget to Like the Gravel Cyclist Facebook page, follow G.C. on Instagram, and subscribe to our Youtube Channel. We are also on Twitter!