Queen’s Ransom
Our top bikepacking news story for December and January is the publication of John Schilling’s new route, The Queen’s Ransom, at Bikepacking.com. We’re building up a great collection of routes here in Arizona, and this one is a great addition.
John designed this as a bikepacking route he could depart on from his front door in Mesa and in doing so, came up with a route that is very accessible from the Phoenix area.
Overall, this is a rugged mountain biking route, where mountain biking tires are strongly recommended. The route features a section of the AZT, the Superstition Mountains and the Gila River.
John Schilling, the organizer behind the AZT Race and the Arizona Endurance Series, has been putting this route together over the last 8 years. He’s lead an annual ride around the route. This year’s ride is capped at 25. Signup for the March 4-7th ride will likely fill up quickly after it starts on February 4th.
Enjoy some of John Schilling’s best photos taken over the years from group trips on the route that he was kind enough to allow us to share here.
More Top Bikepacking News for Dec. & Jan.
Bikepacking Roots Introduces the Love Where You Ride Project – Dec. 7
Quinn Brett and the Tour Divide – Dec. 7
Bikepacking.com’s Best of 2021 – Dec. 14: Gear, Art, People/Routes, Bikes
Bikepacking Southern Utah’s Henry Mountain Published – Dec. 17
Baja Divide Record Set by Miron Golfman – Jan. 13
Brooklyn Based 718 Cyclery Announces Their 2022 MicroTours – Jan. 14
Bicycle Mechanic’s Petition to End Built-to-Fail Budget Bicycles – Jan. 14
Plastiqu’adour – A Bikerafting EcoAdventure Film – Jan. 16
Swift Industries to Move Stock Bag Production to Indonesia – Jan. 24
Brush Mountain Lodge to Close for the 2022 Season – Jan. 26
Upcoming AZ Bikepacking, Gravel and MTB Events
- Feb. 4th to 6th – Single Speed AZ
- Feb. 18th to 20th – 24 Hours Of Old Pueblo
- March 4th to 6th – Ruta Del Jefe
- March 4th to 6th – Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
- March 18th – Maricopa Trail Race
For a Zoooom Out at the big picture of bikepacking events around the world, have a look at Bikepacking.com’s Event Calendar.
For a Zoooom In at what’s happening here in Tucson, have a look at Damion’s Alexander’s Tucson Bike Ride List.
And of course don’t forget to check our events calendar for upcoming Campfire Cycling adventures!