The Options...

 ...for tomorrow's ride (yea, it got pushed out to Wednesday after discussing schedules with Meghan) all have to fit within these parameters:

• somewhere fun to ride for 2 1/2 to 3 hours..
• which will amount to mileage between 16 to 28, 30 miles
• temps in the 60's at least at start time ('cause we live in AZ and the tundra)

Let's roll into the routes:

The New Stuff in southwest Cottonwood

These trails are fairly new, machine-cut trails.  I know some of em' have been around a few years by now and link together some much older trails (that may / may not be cleaned up).  I have two options:

• start at the Ogden Ranch parking, climb up 6 miles, descend 5 miles... over a total 12 miles.  The climb is 1800+ feet so it is not an easy ride.  If I want more when I finish the first loop, I could flip around and ride it all in reverse... or do a second loop.
• start at the community college, climb the first trails they built to this new loop then descend that same first climb.  That first climb is over 9 miles long and that is just to get to the loop I mentioned above.  The total ride 30.4 miles with almost 3800 feet of elevation gain.  

I can hit the first option with little hesitation.  I even feel good about the 2nd loop.  The third option may be a stretch for me...probably stretching out closer to 4 hours.  The third option I just thought of is:

• Do the long 9+ mile climb to the new loop... and decide in the moment.  Maybe I set a time goal?  If I can climb the 9+ miles in less than 90 minutes, I go for the whole loop?  If I cannot, I turn around and soak up a 9 mile descent feeling fresher.  There is no way to lose.

Pine

...was on my list but the temps are not gonna hit 60's until 11am and while that still fits in the time window I have, Pine is part of a bigger goal later this year.  More on that later...

Tucson

...would be on my list but honestly, driving south to ride the more northern trails (Honeybee, Golder Ranch, etc) just isn't setting off any bells in my brain.  Besides, I do have trip planned for mid/late April to head down for a few days.  More on that later, too...

Prescott

...has so many options that fit:

• Up-n-back Wolverton Mountain always ranks high on my list even if it seems to an annual pilgrimage. (I say that BUT... I have ridden it three times... and not since 2023.)
• Ranch Trail is another one... and I have not been since 2020.
• Spence Basin is fun... but I often feel that place is 1) crowded and 2) a mystery to decipher the perfect route that isn't weaving back over itself
• the rest of west Preskitt is still fun... but again, alot of weaving.

The only factor deterring me from Preskitt is the fact that I will head that way more later in the Spring when it is still cooler... and Cottonwood will be HOT.

Black Canyon Trail

...never really leaves the table until the temps creep up past 90 here in the Valley.  It will be in the 80's on Wednesday as well... so perfect, really.  There are multiple spots to start from:

• Black Canyon City - I have left that trailhead and ridden in both directions.  Both are technically challenging and fun.  South means dropping down, deciphering how to cross the river and grinding up to the top to the saddle.  North means dropping down as well...and riding until the trail basically becomes old fire roads.
• Bumblebee - I could ride the dirt road to a good turn off (maybe even Antelope Creek again?) and weave back.  It's a mix of some of the BEST singletrack ever, some technically draining singletrack at the end... and some cow paths that just suck.  I did it a few years ago on the singlespeed and was limping brainlessly at the end.  Am I that strong right now?  Not sure.
• Cordes - the Copper Canyon Loop is awesome... and I think I did two years ago?  South isn't even an option.  The trail is basically rock-filled cow paths.

At this moment after typing all this out, two rides stick out:  the BCT - Antelope Canyon > Bumblebee ride I did back in February 2020... and Cottonwood, Option 3.  It is a hard call - tested FUN singletrack in warmer air... or NEW trails in warmer air.  I could sit here and layout the pros & cons but the reality is BOTH will be fun...

The results on Thursday morning!  Later.