Best Mountain Biking Resource

STAFF PICK: For years, the popularity of mountain biking far exceeded the available resources for finding trails in the greater Tucson area. Books quickly printed to meet the demand ranged from unreliable to downright inaccurate, and their size and format made them even more of a frustration on the trail. (Though nods must be given to the original though sadly out-of-date "green Bible," Mountain Biking in the Old Pueblo, by Michael Jimmerson and Jim Porter.) Locals Chris Guibert and Rob Reed have smoothed the way with The Map, a water and tear-resistant guidebook printed, folding-map style, on synthetic paper. Topo maps of the Tucson Mountain Park, Santa Catalina and Santa Rita ranges give an overview of more than 40 trails. Short descriptions of 25 well-established rides make the process even easier, telling you exactly how to get there, which cattle guard to cross and how many tenths of a mile you'll climb or descend. It's a great on-trail reference, and well worth the $12 investment. The Map was sponsored by eight local bike stores (Arizona Bicycle Experts, Fair Wheel Bikes, Sabino Cycles, Broadway Bicycles, Full Cycle, Bicycles West, Racers' Edge and Bargain Basement Bikes). You can pick one up there, or at most retail outdoor and book stores.