The Gila River Ramble
Name: Gila River Ramble
Start/Finish: Kelvin, AZ
GPX: Download
Distance: 112 miles
Description: Per, Bikepacking.com, "This mind-bending desert bikepacking route starts in Kelvin, where the Gila River carves through a wondrous slice of deep canyon land lined by massive saguaro sentinels and walled by mineral rich rhyolite cliffs. The 112 mile route is an extremely well orchestrated loop with a pristine and relatively new stretch of the AZT as its backbone.From Kelvin, the ride rolls along the Gila for about 20 miles and eventually ascends deep into the spectacular Superstition Mountains along narrow and exposed singletrack that ebbs and climbs through several breathtaking passes. After an amazing descent and the optional ‘Ice Cream Loop’ through the small mining town of Superior, the route connects a rocky web of jeep tracks that descend through a scenic box canyon, along washes, and through Area 52, a rock mesa that can be an adventure in itself. After a long ridge line doubletrack climb, the road eventually reconnects with the AZT to mount the epic ‘Ripsey’ and a spiraling switchback descent back into Kelvin." Entire description and photos can be found here.
Unsupported:
Men: Dexter Kopas, 1/28/23, 20:57:38
Women:
Supported:
Men:
Women:
Team:
Para:
Name: Gila River Ramble
Start/Finish: Kelvin, AZ
GPX: Download
Distance: 112 miles
Description: Per, Bikepacking.com, "This mind-bending desert bikepacking route starts in Kelvin, where the Gila River carves through a wondrous slice of deep canyon land lined by massive saguaro sentinels and walled by mineral rich rhyolite cliffs. The 112 mile route is an extremely well orchestrated loop with a pristine and relatively new stretch of the AZT as its backbone.From Kelvin, the ride rolls along the Gila for about 20 miles and eventually ascends deep into the spectacular Superstition Mountains along narrow and exposed singletrack that ebbs and climbs through several breathtaking passes. After an amazing descent and the optional ‘Ice Cream Loop’ through the small mining town of Superior, the route connects a rocky web of jeep tracks that descend through a scenic box canyon, along washes, and through Area 52, a rock mesa that can be an adventure in itself. After a long ridge line doubletrack climb, the road eventually reconnects with the AZT to mount the epic ‘Ripsey’ and a spiraling switchback descent back into Kelvin." Entire description and photos can be found here.
Unsupported:
Men: Dexter Kopas, 1/28/23, 20:57:38
Women:
Supported:
Men:
Women:
Team:
Para:
Notes from the trail:
Dexter Kopas' successful attempt: Description: I started and ended the route from around mile 77 going counter-clockwise. I was shooting for around 15 hours, but my is this a doozy of a route, deserved of the acronym GRR. Weather was perfect: low of around freezing felt great with minimal layers, and highs in the 70's in the day meant I wasn't burning up wearing long sleeves to protect against spiky plants. Broken chainring made for some fun commiseration with the singlespeed community with 40 miles to go.
- Bike: Specialized XC Comp with Specialized Ground Control 2.35" tires
Dexter Kopas' successful attempt: Description: I started and ended the route from around mile 77 going counter-clockwise. I was shooting for around 15 hours, but my is this a doozy of a route, deserved of the acronym GRR. Weather was perfect: low of around freezing felt great with minimal layers, and highs in the 70's in the day meant I wasn't burning up wearing long sleeves to protect against spiky plants. Broken chainring made for some fun commiseration with the singlespeed community with 40 miles to go.
- Bike: Specialized XC Comp with Specialized Ground Control 2.35" tires