Morning Ride
North. South. East. West. It makes no difference. If you're willing to get up early enough to beat the heat, you can ride off on your trusty bicycle in just about any direction, from any neighborhood in Yuma, and in a matter of minutes or hours, depending on how resilient you are, have a thoroughly enjoyable, refreshing experience.
There are no boundaries, nothing to hold you back - except your willingness to pedal another half mile, or mile. It all depends on how determined you are to get from here to there and back again. And, how many flying insects (in particular white flies) you are willing to share the trail with, along with an occasional rodent or reptile.
Understand, however, that the following rides are not found listed in any mountain bike trail guide; they aren't featured in the X Games; they probably aren't even recommended by any of the bike shops in Yuma. They are the result of having set out morning after morning, with no particular place to go, and not wanting to see the same thing over and over again.
Each is unique in its own way; some are more challenging than others, while some aren't challenging at all - which, on some mornings, can be perfectly suited, depending on what mood you are in.
However, it must be understood that no matter how free and easy you might choose to be, how far you want to go, or how hard you might want to work, there are still a few basic, fundamental recommendations that should followed. For example, wearing a helmet is highly recommended. Actually, it should be a requirement. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.
Gloves are also a good idea.
Don't be fooled into thinking that just because you know how to ride a bicycle, that you will never find yourself flat on your back, looking up at the sky, with your legs tangled in your bike. Because when it happens, and it will, trust me, I know about this too, you'll be glad you were wearing gloves to keep the stickers, rocks or shards of glass out of your hands.
BIKING TRAILS
- Easy ride
The easiest, and perhaps the shortest of the rides, is the bike path along the East Main Canal, which stretches - uninterrupted - from 8th Street to 20th Street. It's paved. No inclines.
