Scottsdale: hiking and biking
 

My wife and i will be inScottsdale for 3 nights in mid-August. She is an ultra-marathon runne and I spend my time spinning. Any suggestions for a ggod bike rental shop, and trails and destinations for us to explore?

Sorry can't help you with the rentals, but please remember to prepare for your outdoor activities particularly at that time of year. Our firemen have to spend way too much time helping people down from our mountains.

Tempe Bike rents bikes. The Indian Bend Wash is one of the best bike trails around - goes right thru scottsdale. Also the canal diversion trail which starts about 40th st near Camelback and goes all the way to about 75th Ave. For mountain biking, there is a trail in McDowell Mtn Park. Can also use a mtn bike on any of the canals - also good for running

There a kind-of interesting road that runs behind that Marriott Camelback Resort and into the mountains. Wide de road, light traffic -- good for biking and running.<BR><BR>The road goes up into the mountains where there are lots of huge, expensive homes -- I'm told rock star Alice Cooper lives in one of them.<BR><BR>Suggest you get your exercise early in the a.m. The heat is brutal, even for the well conditioned.

I've pasted the website for Bicycle Ranch, which, imo, is one of the best bike shops around. They can answer any of your questions and give you plenty of suggestions. There are great trails to ride in the nearby desert. (be prepared to get an early morning start By 6 a.m.). I dont know if they rent bikes; if not they can advise you where you can rent.<BR>Good luck<BR>http://www.bicycleranch.com/contact.shtml

Although it's not running or biking, I would highly suggest a hike to the top of Camelback Mountain. I would consider it moderate - strenuous depending on how fast you go. There is parking at the base, in Echo Canyon, and the hike should take you about 30-40 minutes each way (maybe less for you two!). The view at the top is spectacular - you can see the whole valley. However, I could not bare the thought of attempting this in August. If you go, I would reccommend starting at sunrise, when it's still fairly cool.