Preride Report
February 2026
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| Sunrise over the McDowell Mountains |
This is my second preride this week, and today we tackle the McDowell Meandering 150km Rouleur. The actual event will be a week from Sunday (February 15, 2026) and I will be helping Brian McGuire at the control location in Fountain Hills. There are over 30 riders registered, and registration is open through Sunday so there is still time to sign up!
The ride heads north and east through the Desert Ridge area of North Phoenix. There was some Friday morning rush hour traffic on busy roads, then into quiet neighborhoods, high end retail, and the Five Star JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort. Probably too early for a spa treatment, so I pressed on.
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| Only a few balloons today |
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| Approaching the Princess Resort |
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| Phoenix Open Traffic Control |
A number of the roads were closed around the Princess Resort and the TPC Golf course for the Phoenix Open PGA event this weekend. Luckily the officers allowed me to pass through, and it was actually nice riding on closed roads. Later in the day the route would return through here and again there was no problem. All this will be long gone next week, so no worries.
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| Central Arizona Project Canal |
The route crossed the canal, and no, the route is not on this gravel path, I just stopped here for a picture and to check out the canal path.
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| Bike path climb to Fountain Hills |
Instead of fighting traffic on Shea Boulevard to reach Fountain Hills, there is a bike route that heads up residential streets and through a gated community to reach a bike path for the final climb into Fountain Hills. It’s a bit steep in the gated community (8%) but eases off as you reach the bike path. The gates look closed, but there is an offset opening that allows bikes through!
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| Fountain Hills Park |
Brian will have a sag stop set up at the park, if you are lucky the fountain may be on!
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| Park restroom information |
The restrooms I stopped at were clean and had a filtered water dispenser. I was about to leave when I noticed this information panel that describes where Fountain Hills gets its drinking water (CAP Canal), and how every drop is recycled and used for irrigation and the lake and fountain.
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| Roadwork is done! |
When I rode through here (about a mile outside Rio Verde) earlier this week, debris was piled up on the shoulder. It has been cleared off and the shoulder was clear and free of debris!
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| Road Closed on Rio Verde Road |
Near the top of Nine Mile Hill, traffic started to pile up. Ahead the road was closed but the officer allowed me to ride through.
About another mile another officer directed me onto this jeep trail that paralleled the main road. He said an accident was blocking the whole road.
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| Overturned concrete truck |
About 1/2 mile of gravel riding brought me to the scene. They were rigging the truck when I rolled through.
Lucky the gravel track was there, there was no way to get around this mess otherwise!
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| Hikers headed to Tom’s Thumb |
The route continues up, but just before the summit the route heads toward Tom’s Thumb trailhead. Mike Sturgill will have a staffed control here with refreshments.
There were great restrooms (no water though) and trails that head in the McDowell Mountains preserve. The rock faces in the distance are the Sven Slab rock climbing area. Debby and I spent many days rock climbing there many years ago!
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| Some minor construction at the Mayo Clinic |
The route heads back from the trail head and returns through Scottsdale to North Phoenix. If the roads look familiar, they are, some of them were on the outbound route.
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| Bike path along the freeway |
The final few miles include an older bike path along the AZ 51 freeway. A bit rough in spots but much better than being in traffic. It has climbs about a mile apart for bridge crossings of major streets.
The bike path dumps you out right on Union Hills Road, and it’s only 1/2 a mile to the finish at the coffee shop.
Another great route. I’m looking forward to riding with the 30+ folks that have signed up for the AZ Rouleur Week!
Steve Atkins
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