Cycle: February Brings Rides, Races, and Post-ride Hangouts to Metro Phoenix

Lyman Public Relations

Valley of the Sun Stage Race criterium around Wesley Bolin Plaza.

The riding kicks up a big notch the following weekend, anchored by Arizona's great multi-day road race, the John Earley Memorial Valley of the Sun Stage Race. This race pulls many top up-and-comers and regional pros, and has featured US Olympians such as Tyler Farrar and last year's women's race champion Evelyn Stevens. The three-day competition comprises an individual time trial on Feb. 15 near Buckeye, a road race on Feb. 16 near Casa Grande, and a criterium race around Wesley Bolen Plaza in Phoenix on Feb. 17. The race is just for pros and features classifications for all levels of racers with registration closing on Feb. 10. Even if you're not a racer, this is a great race to go watch, especially the Sunday crit.

If these other events don't have enough gnar for you, head south to Oracle for the weekend of Feb. 15-17 for one of the country's largest 24-hour mountain bike races, the epic 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo. In what has now become a legendary event, Old Pueblo is now in its 14th year and features what has become known as one of the greatest race villages throughout the year. More than 3,500 people descend on a small patch of desert just north of Tucson for this race that rolls over some of the state's very finest singletrack. Registration has long been closed, but if you want to join the party, ring some cowbells and see who survives the rock drop at the end of each loop, then grab your tent and head on down.

For a more relaxed weekend ride, join in on the new social crawl through the Arcadia area with Arcadia Crews and their 80's Neon Ride on Feb. 16. The ride will start off at 9 a.m. at s.e.e.d. café in the new spin and yoga center Madison Improvement Club at Indian School Road and 38th Street. The cruise will head east to Milagro Grill and then finishing at O.H.S.O. Brewery around 1 p.m. And don't forget to break out the day-glo clothes, Vans loafers and Thompson Twins tapes to rock in the Walkman as you roll down the road.