A view of the North Valley

Route Details

This 68 mile route utilizes city streets and roads mostly with bike lanes or well-traveled bicycle routes. The starting point is at [SouthWest Bicycles](http://www.southwestbicycles.com) in the @point[Arrowhead shopping area](d,42.79). You will pass through some beautiful, untouched desert areas and through some of the newer noth-Phoenix neighborhoods. The route provides a gentle incline for approximately 30 miles to the rural community of New River. You then will enjoy the mostly down-hill 30 miles, with just a couple of climbs just for fun. The route may be traveled anytime throughout the year, but care should be taken in the hotter months. After you head north from Lake Pleasant Road and Happy Valley Rd, you will have no opportunity to stop for water/snacks for about 20 miles. The desert views on your way to New River and again thorugh the @point[Sonoran Desert Preserve](d,73719.21) will delight you with beautiful flowering desert plants in the spring and maybe a view of some wildlife.

Starting at [SouthWest Bicycles](http://www.southwestbicycles.com), you will head south to the Skunk Creek Canal multi-use path, then west to the @photo[Rio Vista Trail](1042525) multi-use path. Rio Vista Park offers water and restrooms before you head north on the trail after crossing the Rio Vista Bridge. Early in the morning, or at dusk, you may see local wild life in the New River Wash. Watch for roadrunners, coyotes, javalina and rabbits. When you exit at Beardsley Rd, you will travel through a small round-a-bout. Watch for cars to your right as they come flying off the freeway. It is a short ride east to 95th Ave where you will head north then north-west on Lake Pleasant Parkway. Between @slice[95th Ave and Happy Valley Rd](d,13479.42,19416.52), you will see several shopping areas where you can stop for food or water; @photo[Paradise Bakery](1042522) or @poi[Dunkin Donuts](1315145) is always a favorite. After you head north from Happy Valley, you will enjoy @photo[stunning views](1042565) of the north-valley desert. You may even see a herd of wild burrows grazing alongside the road. @slice[Lake Pleasant Rd north to the Loop 303](d,18925.03,25643.25) has a wide bike lane. After you cross the 303, you ride on a wide shoulder to the Carefree Highway. Take a @slice[left then a quick right onto New River Road](d,29594.42,30052.24). As you ride north to New River, you will enjoy more desert views and some gradual inclines. You will cross under Interstate 17 then continue to New River Road. You will head south into the north valley planned community of Anthem. Shopping centers along North Valley Parkway offer you multiple opportunities to stop and refuel and hydrate. One of our favorites is the @poi[convenience store](1315144) located at Gavilan Park and Anthem Way Leaving Anthem, you will enjoy one more climb before heading south and downhill! Take a left at Carefree Highway. Take a right onto 25th Ave. There is a @poi[Jack-in-the-box](1315143) in the shopping center to your left (where Mt. Side Fitness is located). This makes a nice stop before heading out into more desert preserves. Riding south on 25th Ave, then North Valley Parkway, in a couple of miles you will turn left onto Dove Valley Parkway and head to the east through some beautiful @photo[desert preserve](1042556) land. You will ride past @photo[Apache Trailhead](1042572) about 4.5 miles in on Dove Valley. This is a nice restroom stop, but NO WATER is available. After approximately 4.5 miles more you will come to Cave Creek Road. The shoulder is wide, and traffic usually heavy, but the downhill is sweet! @poi[Quik Trip](1315149) is located at Rose Garden and Cave Creek Road: @photo[another great stopping point](1042562) for hydration and snacks. After getting refreshed, you will head about 1/2 mile to the Loop 101 west-bound frontage road where you will ride for a few miles. Head south on 7th Street to Union Hills Rd, then west to 57th Ave. Follow 57th Ave past the @poi[Foothills Park and Library](1315148) to Utopia. Ride Utopia westbound past @point[MidWestern Medical School](d,102163.09) to 63rd Ave. @slice[Turn right, then left to back on Utopia](d,103304.91,103707.55). Follow it west, then south as the road turns into 79th Ave. Ride a few more miles past the @point[Arrowhead Mall](d,108927.34) to Bell Rd and go straight across Bell Rd back to the shopping are where @point[SouthWest Bicycles](d,98.34)s is located - where this journey began. The Arrowhead shopping area offers many places where you can now relax and refuel!

# Important Reminders

Be extra cautious when the temperatures are 90+ degrees! We do have a "dry heat" and visitors from more humid climates do not often realize how much fluids they loose. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Make sure you have a hydration pack or a minimum of two cold water bottles. Segments of this ride have no services for 20 miles. So ensure you have plenty of hydration and a cell phone with you. As always, carry an extra tube or two and your flat-changing tools as well as sunscreen!

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A view of the North Valley

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