Explore singletrack and savor local craft beer
The Earning
Cactus thorns, rough desert scrub, and yes, snakes are all part of riding in the desert. The terrain is rocky, sandy, and the sun relentless. So, why go?
The Sonoran Desert near Tucson is strikingly beautiful. After a few hours on the trail, the landscape, sounds, and even the scent of sage and chaparral seep into you. The contrast between earthy tones and a clear blue sky creates a sense of contentment that has you planning your return before you’ve finished your ride. 
From the Sarasota trailhead in Tucson Mountain Park, I hit the Sarasota Trail for classic cross-country riding toward Yetman. The backside of the mountain turned into a fast, fun romp to Little Cat — which demanded both power and finesse — and served as a warm-up for the challenge ahead on Explorer Trail.
Explorer Trail was a true test. Rock gardens were scattered along the way, some of which I didn’t clean. A few spots even had me off my bike. Most of the trail is able to be ridden, but to not dab the whole thing would be quite a feat.
I then moved on to Ledge Surfer Trail in adjacent Robles Pass Trail Park. The downhill to the tunnel under the hard road was a blast, flying through like an Ewok. On the other side, I worked my way up onto Sunset Pass Trail. Pedaling through more classic cross-country terrain, I circled back under the hard road and passed through Explorer a second time. Finally, I took the Sarasota turnoff back to the start, loving the quick, flickable sections before the final shoot down into the parking lot.
The Beer
Borderlands Brewing Company is a must-stop, thanks in large part to head brewer Ayla Kapahi — Arizona’s first female head brewer who champions women in brewing and builds a community that crosses borders. When I stopped in for a beer, I sampled their Blonde Ale brewed with corn, but not just any corn. They use 60-day maize from the nearby Tohono O’odham Nation. And if you’re at the downtown location, grab some food from the food truck — yum! borderlandsbrewing.com
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company in downtown Tucson exudes positivity the moment you walk in. A haven for bike enthusiasts (they even let you bring your bike inside), it’s the perfect spot to relax with a couple of IPAs, which I was in the mood for and they tasted great. The friendly, welcoming vibe makes it clear everyone is welcome at this neighborhood brew pub. Grab some cans to go for your campsite or lodging rental. pueblovidabrewing.com
