Pinyons and Pines

Pinyons and Pines – Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

• Date: 2027-04-24
• Location: Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
• Distances: Approximately 400 miles
• Event Type: Self-supported bikepacking

For those drawn to the deep contemplation of long rides, bikepacking Arizona offers a singular experience through diverse landscapes. The Pinyons and Pines event, an underground self-supported journey, embarks from Flagstaff, Arizona, guiding riders through a changing tableau of Northern Arizona, where the high desert meets towering forests and ancient lands.

The route itself, meticulously crafted and evolving each year, is a tapestry of singletrack, double track, and dirt roads. It presents a challenging 39,000 feet of climbing over its approximate 400 miles, inviting riders to find their rhythm amidst the rugged beauty of the region. This is a course for those who embrace the unknown and relish in the self-reliance of bikepacking Arizona.

While the Pinyons and Pines event sets no expectations of prizes or fanfare, it champions the spirit of individual endeavor. Finish times are recorded, offering a quiet acknowledgment of each rider's journey. The event begins at Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution, a local hub nestled between a pizzeria and a brewery, fostering a sense of community before the solitary miles.

Flagstaff, at an elevation of 6,910 feet, rests at the foot of the sacred San Francisco Peaks. These mountains, including Arizona's highest point, Humphreys Peak, hold profound spiritual significance for numerous Native American tribes. Riding through this land is a journey through history, an unspoken reverence for those who have called it home for millennia.

The course traverses ancestral homelands of the Hopi, Ndee/Nnēē (Western Apache), Yavapai, A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo), and Diné (Navajo), offering a unique opportunity to connect with the deep cultural heritage of the area. Each turn of the wheel carries echoes of their past, a silent narrative woven into the landscape around you as you experience bikepacking Arizona.

Riders can undertake this challenge solo or as a duo, embracing the self-supported ethos where navigation and well-being are paramount. The goal is simple: complete the entire route at your own pace, guided by the open road and the silent companionship of the Arizona wilderness. More details can always be found on the official event website.

For those seeking to explore beyond this particular event, a wealth of other gravel events awaits discovery across the United States, each offering its own unique challenge and immersion into the diverse American landscape. The Pinyons and Pines event stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of self-supported bikepacking, an invitation to a profound and personal adventure.