There are many looming changes in my day job. Changes in organization, leadership and systems are weighing heavily on my mind. So, I decided to use some of my accumulated vacation time to go for a local weekday adventure.
Our weather was perfect and there was a large loop that I’ve been wanting to explore for years. Rather than driving somewhere, I decided to stay closer to home.
Connecting from Chandler to Downtown Tempe Via Country Club Way
I left my home in Chandler just after 9:00 AM. My first destination was the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center on Central Avenue in Phoenix.
Equipped with sunscreen, hydration tabs, snacks, spare tubes and an air pump, I blissfully left my home on the Fuji. I knew that the steel-framed touring bicycle would be slower than my Canyon, but it felt like the right tool for the job.
Phoenix had just experienced a massive amount of rain over the previous weekend from the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla. The roads still had ample opportunities for flat tires, so the durable Schwalbe Marathon tires seemed ideal. I knew the faster Vittoria tires on my Canyon would be more vulnerable to thorns.
Full of energy, I followed my customary route out of Chandler. My first goal was to connect to Country Club Way. This is my typical route to Arizona State University’s main campus. It offers a calmer place to bike than along the major roads.
Bicycling Through the Aftermath of Tempe’s 2025 Supercell Thunderstorm
As I neared ASU, I knew the area had been hit by a strong storm over the weekend. But I had no idea just how strong it was.
The storm damage was minimal until I neared College Ave on Alameda. Then, widespread damage became clearer. Speed limit signs were laid down and the damage to trees was extensive. I passed utility workers working to reconnect power lines. It looked like a hurricane had moved through the area.
This area contributes greatly to the city’s tree canopy, so the damage was heartbreaking to see. The trees in this area are well-established, house many birds, and help to mitigate the city’s urban island. It’s obvious that very few trees were unscathed.
The area around University and Mill seemed to have been hit hardest. One street looked like a full blown disaster area. Houses were buried in downed trees as neighbors worked together to uncover them. Another street was completely blocked. The occasional generator was plugged into a home providing electricity. The storm clearly had incredible power.
Bicycling Along the Rio Salado Pathway – Tempe Town Lake to Downtown Phoenix
The next destination along my route was Tempe Town Lake, followed by Sky Harbor International Airport. Few people realize just how close these two places are. Even fewer people realize they are somewhat connected by the Rio Salado pathway. This multi-use path actually travels all of the way from downtown Phoenix to Mesa.
Although the adjacent river bed is usually dry, the city was draining water from Tempe Town Lake to keep it from overflowing. So, on this particular day, water was present along my route past the dam atTempe Town Lake.
There were small instances of standing water, as well as numerous Palo Verde trees down, but it was easily passable. I was grateful for my decision to take the bike with the Schwalbe Marathon tires. Small branches on the path could have punctured a less durable tire.
A great place to stop along the Rio Salado Pathway is along the southern side of Sky Harbor at 40th Street. There is a rest area with a great view to watch the runway. I took the opportunity to have a quick snack while watching the busy airfield.
After watching planes for about 10 minutes, I got back onto the Fuji and set off to the Audubon Center. I got back up to speed and acknowledged just how long my route for the day was going to be.
Much of the scenery between Sky Harbor and Central Avenue is industrial parks and highways, but the surface is well kept. The miles quickly passed since there were no traffic lights or cars.
Visiting the Rio Salado Audubon Center
The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center (https://riosalado.audubon.org) was a great checkpoint at 20 miles. I was also interested in the modern looking building, so I decided to lock up my bike and go inside.
A kind man at the front desk gave me a quick tour. He explained that they would be having a monarch butterfly release the next weekend, as well as an art show. Large walls of glass face a riparian area outside.
A primary focus of the building is also our region’s water resources. Various exhibits explained where our water comes from, how it is used, and how our wastewater is treated. While the topic could be bland for people in most regions, we take more of an interest in our water here in the Sonoran Desert.
Connecting from the Rio Salado Pathway to Downtown Phoenix via Light Rail
Another reason for this stop was directly across the street – the light rail station at Pioneer & Central. I don’t think Central Avenue has a bike lane, so I didn’t really feel safe riding it on a weekday. Light rail provided an ideal safety bypass.
The beautiful new station has desert adapted landscaping, an emergency call station and traffic calming along the road. Trains currently run every 12 minutes on weekdays and a single ride costs only $2.00. Valley Metro is making it an easy choice.
With my pass scanned and my fare paid, I rolled my bike onto the platform. The train arrived just a few minutes later and I knew I would only be riding a few stops. Once on board, I used the hooks to hang up my bike and keep it out of the way.
If you’re looking to connect to the Rio Salado path, I can’t recommend this option enough. But, be warned: there are only four bike hooks on each train car. The trains themselves are clean, modern and offer great frequency now.
Downtown Phoenix – Using Protected Bicycle Lanes to Visit Greenwood Brewing
Having exited from the train at Van Buren & Central, my local adventure entered the next phase. I stopped by my wife’s work briefly to say hello and then continued on. New bicycle infrastructure made me feel generally safer riding in the area.
Less than a mile from the train station, I arrived at Greenwood Brewing. I secured my bike to a rack outside and then headed inside.
I wouldn’t normally have a beer mid ride, but it fit the vibe of my vacation day adventure. The brewery is a local gem with quality beer and a beautiful tap room (Link to Greenwood Brewing Official Website).
As I enjoyed my Rosemary IPA, I realized how this city has changed for the better. I’ve lived here for my entire life and, although social media is quick to bash Phoenix, here I was on a weekday enjoying light rail, a vibrant downtown area and beautiful weather as I safely biked along a 50 mile route.
Lunch at The Fry Bread House
The next stop on my adventure was just 4 miles away at The Fry Bread House (Link: The Frybread House – Yelp). This local icon, which received a James Beard award in 2012, offers both sweet and savory frybread options. I opted for one with refried beans and ground beef. Their prices were reasonable, and they were quite busy with the lunchtime crowd.
My only complaint was that there is not a formal bike rack in the parking lot. So, I locked my bike to the back of a bench with a cable lock. Fortunately, there’s outside seating, so I kept an eye on the bike, enjoyed the pleasant temperatures, and fueled for the second-half of my ride.
Grand Canal and Campbell Avenue – A Quieter Neighborhood Bicycle Route
With my energy restored, I left for the final part of my ride. From 7th Avenue, I would briefly take the Grand Canal past 7th Street to Campbell Ave. Then, I would take Campbell to 44th Street where I would join the Arizona Canal.
Campbell Avenue offers lower speed limits and a great bike lane. Motorists were courteous and school zones helped reinforce slower driving. My only complaint about the route is the bridge over the Piestewa Freeway. The ramp up to the bridge has a ridiculous number of switchbacks which are tricky to navigate on the bike. Also, the bridge itself is very narrow and not directly visible from below. Truthfully, I could be uneasy crossing this pedestrian bridge at night, but it serves the purpose.
After you’re over the freeway, you travel into Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood. The houses get bigger, and the yards get lusher as you move closer to Scottsdale.
Bicycling Along the Arizona Canal
Once at 44th Street, I connected to the Arizona Canal. I considered going to downtown Scottsdale, but a headwind was developing out of the south, and my legs were starting to feel the mileage. My average speed dropped significantly, and I could feel myself drinking more water in the afternoon sun.
A quick stop at Arizona Falls allowed me to reapply sunscreen, take a hydration tab, and eat a handful of banana chips for the last push home. The hydroelectric dam offers a good rest stop with benches, covered areas, a water fountain and a parking area.
The Final Push Home
Instead of heading further into Scottsdale, I turned southbound at the Arizona Cross Cut Canal. Then, I joined 64th Street. I could have taken the canal all of the way to Tempe, but 64th street allowed me to keep my speed up. I was tired and ready to get home.
Once I crossed Tempe Town Lake, I reconnected back to the same route I had taken earlier.
51.46 miles later, I arrived home just after 4:00 PM. Slightly sunburnt and definitely dehydrated. I felt accomplished.
I finally completed a local day tour that I’ve been wanting to do for years.
Pistons Then Pedals 