BCT
I never, ever, ever, dreamed we’d be back at the KOA in Black Canyon City. If you regularly follow the blog, you’ll remember I called this place a dump. Our first visit here it was 100 plus degrees and we were limping home with a rear broken window on the Airstream.
Little did we know at the time, but Black Canyon City is the midpoint of Black Canyon Trail, an IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) Epic Trail . It’s somewhere around 70 miles of single track that parallels the west side I-17 from Highway 69 south to the Carefree Highway. Parallels might be the wrong word. This is not like a paved bike path or a frontage road along the interstate, instead it’s very remote wilderness.
It was an absolutely amazing trail, we rode around 20 miles of it. The only complaint is a decent map is hard to come by and there are no signs identicating where you are, so if you are the adventurous sort, you would love the BCT. I hope the pictures portray the beauty and remoteness.
Lots of climbing up multiple canyons.
Awesome true single track in the middle of nowhere.
All the gates had long ramps. Everywhere we’ve biked the gates have been a little different. Typically in SD you have to get off your bike and walk over a bar. In Gooseberry, it’s a real steep rebar ramp.
And this is how you ride the ramp.
The start of the Table Mesa segment.
You can just see a little of the Agua Fria River. We crossed it multiple times. This time of the year it’s just a creek.
If you’re riding BLM land the odds are good you’ll come across some cattle. These cows were easily spooked. I’m guessing they don’t see a lot of people.
Far, far away.
The signage left a lot to be desired, but the BCT was one hell of a trail.
Dumpy campground.
It was in the 30’s at night, couple that with it being dark so early, we actually turned the TV on.
Really? Table Mesa? Come on, a little redundancy anyone? On another note, it doesn’t matter what state you are in, there’s always shitheads that think it’s cool to shoot up signs.
AZ had some interesting drunk driving signs over the freeway. Unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough to get a pic of the best one. It read: “Drinking and driving go together like peas and guac.”
Probably the best sunset of the year and in all places, it was Black Canyon City! It almost looks fake, as if it’s from a movie set.
We got denied the glory of spending the night at the Walmart in Yuma on the way out because of Sara’s snakebite, so we made up for it on the way home. 400 miles is about a 100 more than we prefer to tow, especially at the end of a trip. Yuma is the midway point, so it’s the perfect stop. All over the USA, every day of the year, people utilize WalMart parking lots to spend the night in their RVs or cars if you are less fortunate. It is an interesting thing to do that leaves you with a lot to ponder. I think someone actually wrote a book about driving across the United States and spending every night in a different WalMart parking lot.
Whenever I think of Yuma, I think of the Padres and seeing a young Tony Gwynn. Back in the day, Yuma was the Spring Training home of the Padres. The town has grown and changed dramatically since those days. We were at the new WalMart on the east side of Yuma. This one is extra special because a train goes by approximately every 90 minutes. Ear plugs help, and an ambien helps even more. Not only do you have everything that WalMart offers 24 hours a day, including their restrooms, this one, like most, had a McDonald’s in it. And in the parking lot a Del Taco and Panda Express.
Sunrise in Yuma.
Busloads of Donald Trump’s amigos were streaming into Walmart to spend their hard earned money before heading out to the agriculture fields for more hard work.
They call these Farm Labor Vehicles. There were twelve in the lot that morning.
Enjoy your day.
Greg & Amelia's Airstream Adventures 
Nice, redeemed after all? Fake sunset, that was nice and WOW to Arizona DOT for funny signage which I cannot imagine here….ever. Hope to ride with you and everyone sometime soon. I went in the garage, checked my bike, tubeless petrified non pumpable tires, besides the spider webs. Happy thoughts of hanging soon, thanks for the adventure.
Yes, hopefully soon!
Hey thanks for the report, looks like a spot you’d return to with friends down the line in the future. Sent from my iPad
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For sure! It would be nice to do the entire thing in 3 or 4 days, one segment a day.
Hey thanks for the update, Great shot of Amy in the trailer with her knitting. One of the best shots I’ve seen, super smile. Looks happy to have the dog on her lap too.
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Trail looks fun! Arizona sunsets fill up my iPhoto gallery t00. Surreal sunset!