AES Coronado Gold (Mother lode course)

New for 2025 is a new Arizona Endurance Series event - Coronado Gold. Patagonia, AZ just continues to grow as a cycling destination for all cycling disciplines. There are three route options, and given the long drive for me, I decided to do the long one to make the drive worthwhile. Make no mistake, the other two routes look equally awesome and combine that with hangtime in town with other riders, you are going to have a good time no matter which route you choose. 

First, gotta give a shout out to the Arizona Trail Association. The work they have done on the AZT on both sides of HWY 82 is amazing. They can't do it without donations/member dollars so please consider helping them in any way you can. If you can't donate money, consider donating some of your time to a trail maintenance event. Thank you!

For some reason, I always end up with a music gig the night before these things, and this was no different. I played until 10PM the night before, and by time I got home and in bed it was 11:30PM. The coffee I drank at the gig didn't help and the last time I looked at the clock it was 12:30am. Ugh. Alarm was set for 2:30.

I managed to wake up and on the road quickly. Hit the local Federico's for a burrito on the drive. Pulled into Patagonia at 5:50am. Ten minutes to spare haha! Said hi to the small group of adventurers, and it was freaking cold! Like high 20s. Brr. Layered up a bit and got a group start photo then we were off and I quickly was dropped, even by the single speeder of the group. Ha!

Getting dropped quickly. 

Pavement turns to dirt - Harshaw Creek Rd. 

Very serene - and cold.

Stopped for a quick snack and clothing adjustment. There was ice formed between the rim and tire. That might be a first for me. 

Cool little ranch house. 

A beefy climb before dropping down into the San Rafael State Natural Area. 

It was a major change from being surrounded by hills and mountains. Now wide open grasslands

Felt like I was in a scene from The Lion King

Did some grinding on jeep roads for a while. Then started to climb up to Canelo Pass and the AZT singletrack.

The singletrack starts out buff and mellow.

But gets steep and more rubbly as you approach the AZT gate at the top. 

Good views from the gate

Primo

Indeed, the west side of the canelos are much kinder than its eastern counterparts

Cows just after Cott tank (which appeared to be capped FYI)

The riding was fairly quick, said hi to 7 or 8 thru hikers beginning their adventures all the way to Utah! On the newer rerouted AZT, I found conditions to be less ideal than I remembered. Kinda loose which made me walk more than I wanted. Plus I was trying to save energy for later in the day. I eventually got spit out to the jeep roads of the private ranch and made my way to the highway, where I had to throw my bike over some barbed wire and then make a decision. I was already tired, and I could make a shorter version of the route. Or I could hit the road to Hog Canyon - which is ultimately what I did. The light tailwind did its best to cancel out the slight climbing pavement grade. 

Signed in at the register and had some snacks. 

Love these gate locking mechanisms. They would be my favorite on the AZT, but they aren't on the AZT so they lose on a technicality. 

After fairly flat riding, the price must be made to climb out of Hog Canyon. 

Minimal sleep and steep grades had me walking 

Perfect place for a sit down snack break. 

I've never ridden the singletrack through here in this direction and it was divine

Trail through here is amazing, but you're gonna work no matter which direction you are going. 

Peep that singletrack on the other side.

In the middle of a beefy climb. I was ready to be done lol. 

Beginning the deja-vu repeated switchback section. If it wasn't so good it would be annoying. Not gonna lie, I still got a bit annoyed I was tired and ready to be done. 

I got motivated when I noticed a storm cell appearing to form right over town. I was sure I was going to get dumped on but it stayed away.

Had a good time on the Train Track trail (except for the million gates) and I arrived to a bunch of folks shouting out encouragement from the brewery in town. That was a fun way to finish - seeing a bunch of friends. Had a beer and a had a slice of pizza that was reserved for me. Thank you!

I gotta say, if you have yet to head down south of Tucson to ride, you are missing out. Patagonia is a rad place and southern AZ in general is just a beautiful place to be. Put it on your list of places to ride!