AZ Gravel Rides

  • Home
  • AZ Gravel Rides

AZ Gravel Rides Seeking out Arizona's least travelled dirt and gravel roads. to keep trails and remote roads open. This gives them a reason to protect these roads from closure.

AZ Gravel Rides researches and creates off-highway dirt and gravel routes for travel throughout Arizona. We have continually introduced new routes with free GPS tracks for the off road community every year since 2009. We promote responsible travel in the backcountry (staying on designated roads, respecting private property etc.) Each route generates new tourism that delivers sustainable economic r

elief to less-advantaged rural communities. This creates local involvement within the communities who will help fight to keep access for off road enthusiasts in these spectacular backcountry areas. Land managers recognize this form of managed travel, and see value in the roads that are being utilized for recreation. Through the use of engaging photos and story telling through social media, videos and blogs AZ Gravel Rides has drawn adventurers to this emerging form of recreation. We also use this opportunity to share with people the rich and varied history of Arizona.

Mountain bike pro Josh Tostado visited the Hawes Trail system a couple days ago and produced this video. If follow me yo...
09/01/2025

Mountain bike pro Josh Tostado visited the Hawes Trail system a couple days ago and produced this video. If follow me you know I ride the gravel bike out there a lot but definitely not on these sections or at this speed!

Disney Land is a route at Hawes in Phoenix from the ridge where goat ends. starting down with Cactus Garden, lower Gidro, Mid Hawes, Magic Mountain and Saddl...

Updated gpx file is available for the Ride Across Arizona along with links to section alternates that avoid roads that m...
09/01/2025

Updated gpx file is available for the Ride Across Arizona along with links to section alternates that avoid roads that may become impassable during wet conditions.

I've updated the "Ride Across Arizona Touring Edition with Alternates" for 2025. This contains bypasses for sections that could be potentially unpassable in wet conditions. If you plan on joining us for the May 5th Ride Across Arizona 2025 take the time to check out these options. The link to the file can be found at: https://azgravelrides.com/ride-across-arizona/

Pending any changes in road status or weather the revised route we will be riding for the Ride Across Arizona 2025 can be found at
https://azgravelrides.com/raaz-2025/

From past experience the best bike setup should like very familiar to rigs that do the Tour Divide. Comfort is the key!
https://bikepacking.com/bikes/rigs-of-the-2024-tour-divide-stats/

If you have questions about bike setup contact the folks at McDowell Mountain Cycles. The owner has the FKT for solo supported. Experience counts!

If you're looking for bolt on suspension solutions check out Redshift Sports. Each time I've completed RAAZ I've used their suspension seatpost. Use the code "AZGRAVEL" for 20% off.

Windy and cold today so I headed straight to Hawes. Definitely no canal riding, the wind is always more intense along th...
08/01/2025

Windy and cold today so I headed straight to Hawes. Definitely no canal riding, the wind is always more intense along the canals. Only three cars parked at the Wild Horse trailhead so I had the trails almost all to myself.

It takes a lot of motivation to go out and ride on a day like today. Knowing that Ride Across Arizona 2025 is only four months away keeps me going!

Actually rode through some rain on the way home!

03/01/2025

Such a relaxing and mellow way to start off the New Year!

FYI. For those that right away ask for the gpx for every photo that we post. We don't use any tracking software, all of ...
03/01/2025

FYI. For those that right away ask for the gpx for every photo that we post. We don't use any tracking software, all of the routes we find are based on Google maps or old hardcopy topos that we've collected over the years. When we explore an area we'll pick out a main route through and get familiar with it and then start chasing done every side route we see. Most don't pan out. Like today we tried side road after side road and it was horrific. Deep sand rutted out rocky roads hostile miners etc. So when you ask for a gpx we really don't have one. We're just winging it. If you are a follower you'll know the area we are in from previous posts. Best way to find cool routes is to get on your bike and start exploring. Photos are from todays routes, none of them panned out. Let me know if you want the fit file. Lol!

Sweet 28 mile out and back with 5k of climbing on butter smooth gravel roads. Hell yeah 👍, what a way to start the new y...
02/01/2025

Sweet 28 mile out and back with 5k of climbing on butter smooth gravel roads. Hell yeah 👍, what a way to start the new year! 💯 B***o Creek!

The Mojave Desert along Alamo and Signal Roads. Miles and miles of side roads to explore including the legendary Arizona...
01/01/2025

The Mojave Desert along Alamo and Signal Roads. Miles and miles of side roads to explore including the legendary Arizona Peace Trail.

The land art is at Mary's ranch on the banks of the Big Sandy River. She decorates the entrance to her ranch for each season. Mary had a water station set up for riders last spring and she'll be doing it again this year. The best trail Angel 😇 ever!

https://azgravelrides.com/raaz-2025/

Made my mileage goal for the year plus a couple hundred to spare. Now the fun starts! Boondocking in the Mojave on the w...
31/12/2024

Made my mileage goal for the year plus a couple hundred to spare. Now the fun starts! Boondocking in the Mojave on the western end of the course. Trying some roads I haven't ridden yet. Stay tuned for the updates!

Rescue out on Hawes today. I am not sure if it was a hiker or a cyclist but I suspect it was a cyclist. Hope they are ok...
25/12/2024

Rescue out on Hawes today. I am not sure if it was a hiker or a cyclist but I suspect it was a cyclist. Hope they are okay. Sucks to happen on Christmas.

Huge shout-out to the first responders! That pilot did an awesome job dealing with gusting winds at the top of Usery Pass today. I've flown near that area in the past and it can get pretty intense.

I spoke with the Forest Service when they first started to develop this area for biking and suggested the put in some emergency access roads that could also be used by gravel bikes. They told me it was in the works. That was ten years ago.

Here's the list of the 2024 top ten viewed rides from our website https://azgravelrides.com/arizonas-best-gravel-road-ro...
23/12/2024

Here's the list of the 2024 top ten viewed rides from our website https://azgravelrides.com/arizonas-best-gravel-road-routes/ I've mapped them to google maps and uploaded photos and description to each route. Minnie and I were able to ride each of these routes this past year so maps are spot on! Fire in the Sky was just added this past summer and has already become the the second most viewed ride on the site. Maybe it has something to do with all the recent drone/UAP sightings! Lol

Nearly half a million visits to the website this past year! Links to maps are in the comments section under each photo. My personal favorite single day ride is the Williams Gravel Metric.

#1 Trans Arizona Offroad Bicycle Route (Ride Across Arizona)

#2 Fire in the Sky

#3 Arizona Divide Offroad Trail

#4 Angry Coyote

#5 Ride the Arizona Divide

#6 Gila Bend Century Loop

#7 Wikieup Loop

#8 Old Munds Highway Loop

# 9 Tour de Roosevelt

#10 Williams Gravel Metric

Thanks to McDowell Mountain Cycles and Redshift Sports for your support this past year!

I retired 15 years ago and every year since I've managed to ride at least 9,000 miles per year. Going down to the wire t...
16/12/2024

I retired 15 years ago and every year since I've managed to ride at least 9,000 miles per year. Going down to the wire this year!

Retired the Motobecane in January and replaced it with the Specialized E-bike. Still have the Lauf and State acoustic bikes. So far I have ridden 6,903 miles on the acoustic bikes and 1,932 miles on the e-bike.

13/12/2024

This happened at the end of our ride yesterday. I caught the movement off to our right out of the corner of my eye expecting a pack of dogs. Surprise! Guess I've been riding the canals to long!

Today's ride exceeded expectations. Spectacular!
13/12/2024

Today's ride exceeded expectations. Spectacular!

Planning for today's adventure. Not the best night's sleep and weather could be an issue. Primitive camping is hard but ...
12/12/2024

Planning for today's adventure. Not the best night's sleep and weather could be an issue. Primitive camping is hard but a great workout. Coffee, breakfast 🥞 and a shot of creatine and we're good to go!

For my 70th birthday last January my wife bought me a Specialized Turbo Tero that was on sale at McDowell Mountain Cycle...
10/12/2024

For my 70th birthday last January my wife bought me a Specialized Turbo Tero that was on sale at McDowell Mountain Cycles for $1900. I rode it on the 616 mile Ride Across Arizona last May. The bike rides like a limo, even on the worst of roads! In this video I rode with some of the top amateur gravel riders in Arizona from Florence to Tucson. Thanks to Sally, Gwen, Barry and the rest of the gang for letting a 70 year old on an e-bike tag along with them on the Turkey Grinder ride. They are definitely secure in their abilities as cyclists as to not feel threatened by an old man on an e-bike! First time I've been with the lead group in years. Made me feel like I was 50 again!

I was able to conserve enough battery outbound so after the turn around at the arch I switched to turbo mode and flew the coop for the ride back to the aid station. Only had one close call with a corner, you can see at the 1:26 mark, where I went into it too hot and encountered some heavy washboard. Man was that fun! I really was flying (see end of the video)!

Maintained 20-25 mph up the climb and hit 35+ mph on the slight downhill run to the Aid Station. The lead group made it to the aid station only 3 minutes behind me on their acoustic bikes. That is shocking! What an amazing group of riders!

Huge shoutout to McDowell Mountain Cycles and Redshift Sports for getting this rig dialed in!

https://youtu.be/EFG47T1iCxo?si=rKtOACHvcGHyhAZx

Up at 4am, two cups of coffee, 10 minutes of stretching, 45 minutes of weight training, haital hernia exercises, plantar...
06/12/2024

Up at 4am, two cups of coffee, 10 minutes of stretching, 45 minutes of weight training, haital hernia exercises, plantar Fascia exercises, situps, leg lifts, balance exercises, protein shake, ESPN and out the door for 20 miles of pavement and 15 miles of singletrack on the acoustic gravel bike. Being 70 is just great! 😫

89.9 degrees in December,according to my Garmin! Yikes! Still got 45 miles in and almost all of it hardcore single track...
02/12/2024

89.9 degrees in December,according to my Garmin! Yikes! Still got 45 miles in and almost all of it hardcore single track. Hawes, Maricopa Trail and Usery.

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when AZ Gravel Rides posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to AZ Gravel Rides:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Event Planning Service?

Share