BEST TRAIL IN ARIZONA? // National to Mormon Phoenix AZ

National to Mormon to Ridgeline on South Mountain has it all! Speed, tech, steepness, oh my. Bryan from Pivot Cycles USA shows me what is now my favourite trail ride in Arizona.
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[@TheLoamRanger]

What do you think? Is National to Mormon the best trail ride in Arizona?

[@nismomike3182]

The Loam Ranger I'm at the Sedona MTB Festival right now but ride Somo a lot. I'll let you know if I find anything better. Something tells me I just might.

[@alexthemtbr]

It’s pretty good! But there are a lot of trails in AZ 😂

[@duancoviero9759]

Not as long as there is a Sedona 🤔

[@andrewrivera4029]

It might be the best in Phoenix, I went to north mountain, east mtn parks in Phoenix and they were not great.

[@cogfather34]

Hard to beat High on the Hog, or HiLine in Sedona. But for fast and furious National Trail is right up there on the gnar scale.

[@BCpov]

Oh, man that near otb moment! My heart was in my throat! Glad you made it through!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Me too! That was a close one.

[@mtnhighs]

Definitely one of my favorite trails in AZ, for sure, and I'm always amazed at how beautiful it is on the top sections; you'd never know you're right in the middle of a major metropolitan area. On the second part of the waterfall drop, the line used to be to the right where the rider in orange was. You'd have to snake your way around some tricky rocks, then a smooth, worn in roll to the chunk at the bottom. You did awesome! Mormon to 24th street is a super fun, technical as hell descent down the North side that is worth checking out too. Just make sure you have a vehicle waiting there or follow roads back to Mormon / Desert Classic parking lot. Great video Loam!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Good tips! There's so much more to explore on that mountain. That waterfall line is still there -- Bryan just wanted me to take the more... direct route haha

[@jessesdiecastgarage]

Thanks for letting me tag along today out in Huntley Illinois on my stationary bike

[@bouzouki2006]

Great vid as usual, Loam Ranger! Thank you for putting up all this rides on cam and the Tube!

[@ClydesdaleNM]

Hell of a video, Yes National to Mormon is amazing. First time dropping in on the waterfall can be a mind @#%$. Good job, stay safe!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Definitely. If only the GoPro could do it justice!

[@50mtb44]

Brian is a monster. Fun watching you (and would be us) trying to keep up with him. You gave a realistic view of South Mountain National Trail. Thanks.

[@bard1746]

I go to SoMo several times a week, mostly to get quick hike in for some exercise. I rarely see anyone ride the Ridgline trail, you're a beast for tackling all that on your 1st try.

[@RochesterGT]

I’m about 20 min from that trail, have ridden parts of it but not this much! I’ll have to go back now! Like your videos dude!

[@TheBikeRoom]

Another enjoyable show. This reminds me of my rides following my son who also is a Speedy Gonzales albeit on a Trek Remedy. Still, issuing them a caveat in an attempt to slow them down like ' if I'm not behind you slow down' haha although my son just waits for me after each section. His Strava PRs are there for beating every time.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Bryan was great! He's a fast dude and I didn't want to slow him down. It was cool to see him blast through those sections!

[@JoaquinBridges]

What a awesome ride and gorgeous scenery. 😃👊🏻

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! It's such a different landscape to what I'm used to, which made it even more striking.

[@JoaquinBridges]

The Loam Ranger it was cool meeting you at Demo forest last weekend. I'm one of Orbies friends

[@CrAzZzEdxAH]

I rode a pivot switchblade 29er at the Sedona MTB festival it was the first FS bike I've ever ridin absolutely amazing bike!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Totally! So capable. You've set the bar high!

[@MTBThrumyeyez]

Great stuff. That's an awesome trail. Chunky!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Totally. Thanks man!

[@arizonatimelesstourist846]

CRAZY. What an awesome ride.

[@TheLoamRanger]

I loved it!

[@zizimoelleux9071]

Sympa tes vidéos! Continue comme ça! :) Nice videos, man! Keep going! :) Hello from France!!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks Zizi!

[@GrizDrummer25]

Got offered a free trip to Phoenix and this was the first trail I found to potentially ride. Genuine thanks for showing how much I'd die on it! xD

[@randomtwiggster7713]

IT IS A GREAT DAY IN THE UNIVERSE WHEN THE LOAM RANGER UPLOADS A NEW VIDEO!!!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha thanks Twig!

[@TheRealJoeMP]

My Mach 6 is backordered... this is helping to get me through til April!

[@TheLoamRanger]

You're gonna love it man! It'll be worth the wait.

[@thatarizonadude]

I love biking would love to do this

[@luca-tx6ut]

Cool Track. Keep up the great work.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! I love those trails.

[@luca-tx6ut]

The Loam Ranger 1month ago I started mountain biking cuz I was watching you're vids for 1year now and I would love to do the same thing as you. So I asked if I could go mountain biking of my mom and she said yes. And mountain biking is Soo awesomerrr

[@iseabeck9488]

I was like, wait when did this happen? Lol sick video!

[@TheLoamRanger]

I think you were hard at work at the time haha

[@BrianVaughn]

I don't know if it would have fixed the flat but I bought a dynaplug because you can carry only so many tubes.

[@TheLoamRanger]

YES. That's exactly what I was thinking when I was editing this vid. It would have saved the day.

[@kodee1522]

Love the vids

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks kodee 🤘🏼

[@korbinray1713]

I’m just getting into mountain biking and looking to buy my first mountain bike. The three bikes I was looking at were… 1. Polygon Siskiu D5 2. Trek Marlin 5 3. Specialized Rockhopper I live in Arizona and for the terrain, do you have any suggestions for which bike I should get and if you prefer a different bike instead of these three. My budget is $1000. Your opinion would be really helpful.

[@Candesce]

Never noticed before but I swear I can hear the gimbal's motor running veeery quietly in the background. Also, wooooow, that pedal strike actually scared me! Scary moments like that are when I am glad to be (or wishing I was!) riding on flat pedals.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Yup the gimbal will always bleed some noise into the video unfortunately. I hear you! So glad I was running flats for that little mishap haha.

[@Kopitarko]

I would not even walk there! :) Nice ride, man.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha it's sketchy no matter how you slice it.

[@Trailsy]

Not much loam there!!! Stunning scenery made up for it though 😂

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha definitely not. Amazing views though.

[@outbackwack368]

I've watched this vid several times now. I live 30 minutes from here and have never ridden National yet (many other trails here though). I'm just a newer average rider, but now my skills are at a level where I can try. It's humbling to think you're fast when someone like Phil blows your doors in. But he obviously rides here ALL THE TIME since Pivot bikes are made here in Phoenix. You can get in trouble VERY fast riding South Mountain!

[@mattattomotos8756]

If you can ride Mormon, Javalina, or Geronimo well you should be fine on National. There are sections to session to find the best line or you just have to memorize some of them. If you can't ride everything its not a big deal, hop off and walk it. Then try again another day. Find the Taco Tuesday crew out there in the parking lot about 4pm on Tuesdays in the wintery months. Or look for Patrick White on the IG for exact times. Spartan rides also does a lot of no drop rides at SoMo on National & other trails.

[@speedisamonkey4505]

It was my first time there today and I got to say that it was awesome!! It’s rough with big rocks, it was tough but I loved it 👌🏼 come check it out

[@bryansaenz4689]

Is it a loop? Or is it a shuttle type of thing

[@RealAntek]

Yes

[@TheLoamRanger]

Double yes! 🤘🏽

[@jtperez657]

What's the name of the lookout you started at?

[@smitsolanki2317]

Just subbed to your channel and I regret that why am I so late

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks Smit! Don't worry, the party is just getting started.

[@TonyB4679]

So he is fast on his own trail . Saweeet ....! I'm in Florida for three weeks then Alabama, Georgia , Mississippi , then headed west ! Let's do some blind riding for some cash while in Utah

[@thomasthrower2669]

No wonder you got a Pole. I'd want one too riding that stuff!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Ya it would have been a fun bike on those trails!

[@monstervlogster1157]

This place is insane! that dude was like a bat out of hell =D nice video man thanks

[@TheLoamRanger]

Totally! Bryan killed it. Cheers MV!

[@brianthehawaiian]

I'm planning on visiting AZ at the end of this month and will be riding South Mountain. Do you think purchasing a bash guard would be necessary?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Well, it depends on you and how you'll be riding, but in general yes, a bashguard would be a really great idea for South Mountain... or anywhere in Arizona for that matter! Have a great trip.

[@cubedroid5087]

Cool!

[@wal_rider8479]

I'm happy that i see that's its not only me having probkems with pads xD

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha ya that got annoying very quickly.

[@LightSportMan]

I have a 27inseem what would work for me!

[@gekkardboy]

Nice job getting down the waterfall. I ride this trail a couple times a month. I would vote this the best trail in Phoenix due to its uniqueness, but Sedona might have a few that top it in the state.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! More like falling down the waterfall haha.

[@reidavi9156]

I like ur videos

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks!

[@connorhinchliffe6659]

Hey man, I’m moving to Phoenix soon and want to start riding trails around there. Price aside, would you recommend a hardtail or FS for a beginner in that area/terrain? Thanks!

[@mattattomotos8756]

@connor hinchliffe, no I wouldn't. A FS to me and many others is more enjoyable. Many beginners switch from HT to FS within the 1st year out here, sooner if they can find a good bike. However there are some peeps that love the HT life and it is possible to ride a HT on any terrain you can ride a FS on, just usually slower. Check out Hardtail Party on the KZbin. He is out here in AZ too.

[@charleshazen5779]

That dude was so fucking fast lmao. If I didnt know any better I would swear he was on an Ebike lmao

[@MTBFlowRider]

How are your hands after that trail? Haha. Sick riding man!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! They were thoroughly tenderized haha

[@xXAcrobatixX]

what's your bikes front and rear suspension travel? btw sick riding.

[@TheLoamRanger]

That Mach 6 was a demo bike and it had 160mm travel front and rear. Sick bike!

[@jonnymooney8538]

Do u have a list of good trails in az I live in northern Phoenix and need some more to ride... wouldn’t mind driving a bit

[@TheLoamRanger]

Hmm I'm no expert on the area, but South Mountain and Hawes were both fun places. Then you've got places like Flagstaff and Prescott which aren't too far away. Check out the areas on Trailforks.com !

[@jubalvw3302]

I wonder how different this would be on the Pole - more confidence? More pedal strikes? Hahaha!

[@TheLoamRanger]

More of everything, most likely haha

[@AZMTB]

Ryan! When are you comin back to ride this again???

[@TheLoamRanger]

I would love to! Maybe this winter, if flights aren’t too bad.

[@ecg15]

being on that bike and almost getting bucked on that tech descent would you have fared any better on your POLE?

[@TheLoamRanger]

ecg15 well technically yes. The Pole has a slacker head angle by two degrees and a longer chainstay, so the likelihood of me getting pitched forward would be less.

[@jordanr897]

Awesome trail, my buddies and I ride this all the time! Definitely best in the Phoenix valley, but doesn't hold a candle to Hiline in Sedona. That said, I can't believe that Brian guy made you ruin the entire experience by taking you on the Ridge trail last! National and Mormon are super fun and fast with the right amount of tech, and then ridge is crappy compared to the alternative Javelina Trail, which is more of the fast techy stuff. Poor ending trail choice by Brian...

[@rvoykin]

That dude can shred

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

There is no replacement for dh casing tires. Im in florida and i chose to use dhf and a rock razor super g. All other casings just get torn up to easy. Yes they are heavy but its a set and forget. I have tried 20 diff tires. I wont use anything else besides dh casing. They are just too flimsy.

[@JayMisuraca]

Yeah riding in AZ a rear DH casing saves you a lot of hassle. Front less important.

[@TheLoamRanger]

I get that. When you're riding trails that are basically 100% jagged rocks, only a big, heavy DH casing tire makes sense.

[@hobmarg]

Dang, Florida must be super rocky? I ride in BC (North Shore, Squamish, Whistler) and can get away with EXO casing Minions on my trail bike. I use DH casing Minions on my DH bike because of the higher speeds.

[@jrazjraz]

Is it that he knows the trail and can go that fast ? - because you are a very good rider yourself...that trail looks highly technical

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Nice ride! ( Brian needed more PSI )

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! The funny thing is, is that Bryan was running super high pressure, like over 30psi

[@rustyrolla5432]

Hey loam ranger sorry haven't commented in a while but how are u liking the Arizona Utah area I know I suggested it to u back in November or December

[@TheLoamRanger]

It was a rad trip! This was from back in November actually. You have good taste in mountain bike locations :D

[@rustyrolla5432]

Thanks

[@qualm43]

maybe the best trail in Phoenix. Flagstaff is the GOAT in my opinion. Most people will tell you Sedona.

[@sukokino2409]

Directions???

[@PJPYT]

What size is that pivot baby blue???

[@TheLoamRanger]

Pedro Ortiz that was an XL Mach 6 👌🏼

[@freddukepoo3359]

A good DH bike with a dialed in coil shock and you can roll that trail with ease.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Or just on an Enduro bike with more skills :)

[@kingrat738]

Needed a little low volume 'Good, Bad & the Ugly' in the background ^^

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha totally

[@cogfather34]

Yaba-Daba-Doo

[@jtperez657]

Hardly. Go to the Rim Country

[@DeezNuts-ik6xl]

Come on! Who rides in AZ without tubeless set up anyways!

[@kingqman8250]

Tubeless is da wae man!

[@TheLoamRanger]

He was running his wheels tubeless, well before the first sidewall split. What we needed was some Dynaplugs!

[@shadowhawk1121]

lmao that guide wasn't doing much guiding!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha I think that was as slow as he could possibly go!

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Sooooo Ryan. You ready for a rematch with national ???

[@TheLoamRanger]

The Middle Aged Masher absolutely. I can’t wait to get back there to give it another go!

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

The Loam Ranger I could arrange it ! I know some fast 💨 folks. Just not me!

[@onepalerider]

Best in Arizona? Not likely when you have Sedona and Flagstaff trails. There are more reasons than just the heat that all the Phoenicians come up here to ride! 😆

[@anthonymorabito1917]

Sales manager no tubes?

[@TheLoamRanger]

He had just used his for a friend before starting our ride and forgot to load up again. Oh well, it happens!

[@georgeharpin4083]

where's your pole?

[@TheLoamRanger]

At this point the Pole wasn't fully built yet! I've got one more vid from this trip, then it'll be all Pole, all the time ;)

[@chipandpete]

I don't think that's an appropriate question! 🤣😅

[@georgeharpin4083]

Gonzo Kat ?

[@snapcatcherinoz6706]

All Pole, all the time. that's what she said.....

[@EdWilsonPhoto]

he dropped you like a bad habit!

[@MeachPango]

i wish i could afford a mountain bike

[@iseabeck9488]

I got three flats on this exact route. This is your fault.

[@TheLoamRanger]

🙃

[@crazy8sdrums]

Nope, there are no soft and cushy trees to run into on South Mountain. Just rocks, rocks, rocks and sheer death if you botch it up.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha yup you got that right!

[@cyclepath55555]

No