Auby's Blog #Quartz Please

In February the Sonoran Desert has an enticing quality about it.  It probably has to do with the fact it's 68 degrees with moderate wind and a 48% humidity level.  For some reason those succulents out there fascinate me again.  I appreciate their ability to survive in a very harsh environment.  However, when it's a 100 degrees with a humidity level below 5% you may find me trying to suck water out of em.  The hike into the Sierra Estrella wilderness area introduced cool clean air with challenging elevation gains.  The grunt up this ever present piece of elongated granite was intense as our group tried to attack it with no regard to "pulling back".   I don't have the specific data behind the hike, oh wait yes there it is.  It's a GPS track log with my name on it.  It amazes me to be able to attain this info: wanning gibous at 74% will be setting at 9:33 AM.  Wait how many FM radio station will I be able to pull in with a transmitter.  Nevermind, meaningless techno bable will get you nowhere.  Having a map to to rely on while hiking will definitely get you somewhere.  So, I have attached the track log which displays our departure from Wild Horse Pass Casino off the I-10 in Chandler.  This hike is an all day event really, no matter how you slice her. The real challenge lies in the 9 miles of 4X4 dirt roads with periodic sandy river bottom drop outs.  It took us about an hour and a half to summit, but while on top you don't want to leave any time soon.  Amazing views of the lower lying desert, along with amiable time to let the lungs actually try to break down that element know as oxygen.  This is one of my favorite pics from the hike:

I just want to be clear those guys are drinking what looks to be Miller Lite.  I can't remember what I was drinking, diet coke?  One undeniable fact is that we are on a giant formation of Quartz.  One lone white peak standing tall within this desert landscape.  I have a meaningful plug to throw to the Cosmopolitan Hotel/Resort in Las Vegas http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/.  They have provided Auby's Adventures a complementary 2 night stay for March Madness Week.  We will be promoting the Havasupai Hike as the tribe are now taking reservations.

Urban Riding:

Urban riding in the basin is comprised of two separate culture sets .  Culture number one is comprised of people out to drink and socialize at various venues.  For the most part the venues with the most popularity would be bar/local pubs.  Rating bars in this crazy place is a job unto itself.  Depending on the area in question "the Valley"  which I consider ranges from Apache Junction to Suprise.    Is composed of every conceivable bar mantra a perspective entrepreneur could imagine.  Given the wide scope of available social communes with benefits that are specific to the very College football team a perspective patron could follow.  A large percentage of our society belongs to group set #1.   Culture set two belongs to the individuals who are obsessed with their passion(cycling) and integrate into every day life.  Early symptoms for group set #2 would start with a person dedicated to commuting to work via bike.   After time passes there is a transition period in which weekends are incorporated into biking trips.  At this point even more time money sweat and tears are invested and it's a full blown case of obsession.  I know this all sounds crazy to the general public, but trust me they are out there.  Or maybe I am the only one obsessed and enjoy combining the two aforementioned cultures.  At any rate I will attempt to rate the perspective bars that seem to pull me in much like the Deathstar's Tractor Beam.


1)  Iguana Max http://www.iguanamacks.com/home.php  which lies between Warner and Ray on Almaschool Rd.  Wing night has always been one of my favorites as they offer quality wings for 33cent a piece.  Happy hours runs until 7pm and kicks back in after 10pm - half price drinks - !  Yea deals are good but what about the service a patron is expected to receive.  The bartenders and staff in general are a lively bunch, and they actually remember what type of salad you like etc.

2)  Boulders on Broadway http://bouldersonbroadway.com/ which is located on the corner of Roosevelt and Broadway in Tempe.  This bar is so bike friendly they have a solid pipe inside to hang your ride on.  The beer selection is the real saving grace as they offer a huge selection with a couple of my favorites:  Dog Fish Head and Deschutes.  Depending on how many miles you log in to get here, your appetite will be satisfied with a nice calorie filled menu.  I recommend the nachos and calzones, be careful as these two plates are going to be hard to finish.

3)  Zipps, there are several locations(chandler/south scottsdale) to chose from.  This bar has a slew of young and willing wait staff to help you guzzle those oversized beers down.  Even though this bar belongs to a chain they offer quality food and service.  The jalapeño burger is phenomenal and is available on a daily special.  They offer drink specials daily and the zipperita is a favorite as well.

Unfortunatley, I could go on and on as these are just a few bars within decent riding distance.  If anyone has any recommendations I should know about please list them.

auby out.

Auby's Blog: #AZT with a little Ballin

Starting somewhere close to Superior, Arizona the Picket Post Trail Head marks the end or beginning of the Arizona Trail section known as Alamo Canyon http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_17.html.  I have had the Arizona Trail on my scope of interest for along time now.  Mountain biking/bikepacking on the AZ trail intrigues me; and I find my self compelled(not by God) to validate this venture.  I went out on a day trip on the bike hitting the Alamo Canyon section to test the waters.  I had read earlier about overgrowth on the trail with cholla and cat claw.  Going south on this section provides about 1400 feet in elevation gain within the first 10 miles.  The trail was very technical in the beginning as it shares usage with the Picket Post Mountain summit trail.  To my surprise the Aloma Canyon section was well maintained, and seemed to flow better after about a couple of miles.  The picture above was taken at about 3000 feet and gives good perspective of Picket Post Mountain which at its summit is 4,300 feet.  The fist 5 miles kicked me in the pants, and I just didn't feel like getting to far into this beast.  Which brings me to another point as I have been training for the past four months at the gym and on the bike.  Being in shape provides me the opportunity to hit the basketball court from time to time.  I have been involved with a minor C-league basketball operation often referred to as Sunday Hoops.  Amazingly this league has been in operation for 17 years.  This league is comprised of "older" once athletic Al Bundees.  Once in a great while when the stars are lined up and the exercise regimen has been adhered to; some playas actually perform well.    

Auby's Blog #Dos

When it comes to surviving in the wilderness and living as a minimalist Cody Lundin demonstrates these abilities to the fullest. I learned about this amazing individual while watching the Dual Survivor show on the Discover Channel. More amazing to me is the home he built and lives in here in Arizona:http://www.codylundin.com/codys_house.html
Another aspect I find myself in awe about is the fact he has been hiking and surviving without shoes.  Really?  Yes really.  As seen on the Dual Survivor show he goes barefoot on the actual survival trips they take.  He runs a wilderness survival school "Aboriginal Living Skills School" in Arizona.  

Auby's Blog #Intro

This is the very first installment for Auby's blog in reference to the very first Auby's Advenutre. How exciting!!! Ok maybe not for everyone. We took a hike up to a high point within the South Mountain Park on the National trail. What a beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun with a high of 73 degrees. It was weird as the next day we watched the Chicago Bears push the Sea Chickens around in the snow.