Flight of the Pigs

Each year, a local mountain biker organizes a mountain bike ride around Phoenix, called "Flight of the Pigs"; so named because the ride is held every year the day after Thanksgiving. I participated for the first time this year and it was one of the best events I have ever done!

It is a 74 mile all day ride around the best trails in Phoenix. It is a ride, not a race, and after each segment, the group of about 100 stops to regroup, waiting for every rider to arrive before beginning the next segment. The only goal is to finish and the non-competive nature lends to a real community feel. There is a $20 fee which goes mainly to pay for the group lunch at a restaraunt in central Phoenix.

One of the best parts is, in order to get from one trail to the next, the course travels throughout the city streets. As a pack of 100 we rode through Phoenix on 7th Ave, through Paradise Valley and Scottsdale on 44th Street, and through Tempe on Mill Ave. The Mill Ave segment was probably the most fun; we took over the street, riding in mass, hooting and hollering as the early evening crowd looked on.

In addition to the street riding we covered some great trails, including National Trail at South Mountain Park, Trail-100 at Piestawa Peak, and the trails of Papago Park. I performed much better than I had anticipated and was in the front of the pack during each of the segments. I rode with three of my team mates from the Landis Mountain Biking team and we stuck together for most of the ride.

The ride began at 6:30 and ended at 6:00 with a party and bbq at the race organizers house. It was a great day and I am very happy I participated! I am looking forward to next year!

Here are some pictures from the ride