Bikepacking Arizona's Black Canyon Trail (BCT) - Hardtail Party

In this special episode we bikepack the famed BCT (Black Canyon Trail) near Phoenix Arizona. We rode 65 miles and spent a night out on the trail. What an experience! Join along as we share our journey with you. Did you learn something valuable? If so, show your appreciation and support this chahnel by becoming a Patron today: / hardtailparty
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[@hardtailparty]

Friendly reminder that Patrons get a sneak peek into what's going on at Hardtail Party way before it hits KZbin. I have a special Instagram account just for my patrons where I can interact a lot more and share sbeak peeks of what's coming up on the channel. For example, at the moment I have 4 bikes in for review and my patrons will get an early look at them.

[@michiganstate149]

Complete ignorance from the equestrians. You seemed to keep your cool a lot better than I would have. Good video, brings some variety to the channel.

[@cjohnson3836]

Horse owners are the most privileged and usually self-centered people out there. It would be a great day if they were banned from trails, altogether.

[@buckroger6456]

I would have been pretty heated if that was me. I've been bitten before by a dog so when I got one chasing me like that I'm ready fight or shoot.

[@CasperRc81]

It’s a heeler say what you will. I agree with you tho it’s in their nature to heard so while rules are rules nature does not ask. If you were walking probably would not have been an issue. I purposely walk my mine at night they get all fired up over tires anything😂. Sorry for your spill. And they should have it at a decent leash at the least. Or stop and communicate and not assume they are completely from anyone in the city. Great content as usual. I’m saving up for clothing from you thank you.

[@AndrewLenhardt]

Athletic shoes on clip pedals?? For 60 miles is literal insanity lol. Props to that dude

[@theepicridecom]

Good job taking the high road and trying to talk to the cowfolk in a polite way. Unfortunately some people just suck.

[@cjohnson3836]

@Stuffstuffington Stuff That "harmless" dog caused an OTB in backcountry. Idiots like you need to learn. Leash your dog or be ready to bury it.

[@BrianRPaterson]

@@cjohnson3836 I love dogs, but those owners were w@#$kers. I used to carry a water bottle with a mix of water and lemon juice to spray angry mongrels outside constructions sites. It worked okay, and was drinkable in a pinch. BTW: I'd have used far more colourful language that Steve did! The man is one cool customer.

[@skullsroad3642]

Appreciate the positive attitude.

[@squishlefunke]

You got yourself some true friends there Steve. I'm not sure if my ride buddies would pull out more than 1 or 2 cactus needles outta my keister and I would rather not put it to the the test!

[@Benxl-bn3cr]

I have puncture scars from a “friendly dog”s bite from past year. I also had to intervene and rescue a 15 year old girls cocker spaniel mutt from an unprovoked German Shepard that went into kill mode (off leash) at a large public trail head. I love dogs, but not all people are competent dog owners. That sucked. “They’ve never done anything like that before” said the owners of the German Shepard and the Shepard mix that bit me. So frustrating.

[@Derekforeal]

No suspension on that trail 😳. You are the man.

[@sparks701]

Nice. What an adventure. If I could find a way to recharge a ebike I could go for days if not weeks at a time. Get as far away from everything as possible.

[@hardtailparty]

No need to an ebike to get away. Pedal bikes with great too. Or a camping Moto trip. Check out the Backcountry discovery routes

[@Theriver56]

Steve you handled that interaction with the equestrian incredibly well. I admire that and hope all trail users take note.

[@jonathangreiner]

That was epic Steve! You handled the dog situation beautifully. I used to get chased all the time in NM and it’s not cool. Consider carrying some pepper spray for “friendly” dogs, humans, and anything else you might encounter on the trail. You have a family to think of. :)

[@querk3810]

good timing, I'm heading on my first bikepacking trip tomorrow morning!

[@hardtailparty]

Have fun! Let me know how it goes.

[@christopherwong8500]

Had a similar experience with horse riders here in Australia - minus the dog. They seemed to think they have exclusive right to any and all trails - even ones designated for bikes and walkers. Love your videos, my hard tail has seen more miles thanks to you!

[@markbuttery2790]

I liked how you put the dog attack behind you and did not let it wreck your ride, it would have been so easy to get pissed off and put a downer on the whole ride.Good effort Steve

[@tessaridesbikes95]

Most of my local trails are multi-use trails. There are always horses and hikers. With the wet winter and spring so far the horses have totally wrecked our trails. The hooves have ripped up so many sections and the trail maintenance workers are constantly smoothing the trails over. I see bike tire marks that actually help to smooth out the horse hoof marks. And they want to complain that we rut out our trails?!?! The horses tear them up so bad that the hikers can't walk through either!

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

Yep, I've seen this too. Horses hooves are a lot like small shovels. Maybe not as much of a problem on those rocky trails in AZ, but the trails in AK are soft and muddy when wet. Many of our newer MTB trails are closed to horse back riding.

[@RyanAggabao]

@@patchesthejaybird8431 Not many off road trails are publicly open to horses here in Ohio, even less are publicly open to ATVs. Definitely anything metal like horseshoes and studded/chained tires significantly dig into trail dirt.

[@crux_timberjack]

Steve, I commend you for keeping your cool, both while conversing with the Horse Pilot and refraining from bear spraying the pooch. As one who is an owner/operator of all three, horse, dog and bike, I come across this stuff on a daily. I always stop and give horse riders the right of way, and usually converse with dogs with positive results. When a dog gets aggressive, I've sprayed water on it, dismounted and faced it and in one case had to blown a high pitched airhorn a couple feet from it. It ran from the horn. I carry bear spray on packing trips, which when used is unfortunate on dogs If the Po-Po in Wee-Woos were on the trail, that "Cowboy" would have been cuffed and stuffed. Get your sh!+ together people! We all pay-to-play here in America. Love the BCT!

[@buckroger6456]

Dude 🤙 this is probably my favorite video you have ever done. You really captured what makes AZ so great for Mtb and bike camping here. Also love how you stressed that bike camping is all about just heading out and having fun, it's not a race.

[@rscimoch]

That looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing.

[@Vegasrider75]

Great video Steve, thanks for taking us on your adventure!

[@marrowbone7132]

Nice to see some more bikepacking videos! I loved watching the ones you guys have on TMWE. Looks like a great time.

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks! More bikepacking videos are on the horizon.

[@rjahn3000]

I have used my water bottle to squirt at aggressive dogs with pretty good success. Good ride!

[@joshuamoser7603]

A lot of us don’t have the money to spend a weekend in Europe but love to bikepack. I totally agree with setting up camp in your own backyard.

[@tim3kgt]

cant wait to try this ! thanks for the inspiration Steve. Ive wanted to try bikepacking since you posted the GilaRiverRamble video!! great work, awsome vid!

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

Very impressive. Thanks for the great vid.

[@scotti_wan_kenobi]

Wow, what an awesome adventure. 🤘😎

[@mbiraside]

Good job Steve. Looked like a great trail. Too bad about the dog folks. We have the same problem with dog owners here in bc. It sucks. Thumbs up to Rob?, he'll never forget his shoes again. Nice to see you out on the seargent, doing the last bit of work today on my new rigid 29x3. Bless

[@ronin550]

Outstanding video, I hope all is well with you and your'n. Stay safe and send🤘🏾💪🏾🤙🏾

[@8664antonio]

love it again, cool team ride👌🏻

[@twogap]

Legit just watched this from start to finish. Thanks for sharing! Subscribed!

[@hardtailparty]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chameleonpogono]

Looked fun and good video. I love backpacking and mountain biking, so this looks fun.

[@mountainlessmtb9940]

What a cool video 🤘 that looks like an epic adventure cool trail fun friends way to go hardtail party

[@jsbrooks72]

You guys are going at a nice pace. Not too crazy, just steading chill riding. Enjoying the views. New sub!

[@CasperRc81]

Oh yes I rolled through there from crown king to your tavern there. Interesting area. Great view Steven thank you.

[@tomerg2]

Great video Steve! Never seen much of your bike packing content till now but this looks really cool I like how you got around using a Hardtail with small triangle, it's good to know I could potentially use my Ragley Big Al for such trips 👌

[@cameronlesley2428]

That was a great video, thanks for making it I am definitely looking to get into bike oacking

[@normanmitchell9536]

Great ride ! Enjoyed the video !

[@DougA597]

Nice video. We just did a loop out there at the end of Feb. going northbound on the dirt roads and S/B on the singletrack. Agreed it's a great trail.

[@stevencole7331]

We have a cattle type dog that chases bikes on my local trail . They are not really being truly aggressive but feeding there herding instinct . If you have a dog like this you should not have them off leash in a public area . They will sneak up from behind you and take a nip and they are fast . Someone got bit on my trail and that forced the owner to put him behind a fence . It funny he still comes charging behind the fence to settle his instinct and no one gets hurt . What a concept .

[@rufant6110]

Great! What an adventure. Too right about explore your own backyard 👍top content like usual, cheers.

[@Brian-rr3nj]

A little Elmer's glue spread over those little cacti spines, let it dry for 10 minutes and they all come out pretty easy as you pull it off. Also works with splinters and wood glue

[@zimmejoc]

I’ve started carrying a slingshot to deal with dogs. You don’t have to hit the dog with a rock, but just aim toward it. So far, the dogs back down and run away when stuff starts flying in their direction.

[@Dmiller_V23]

Great Trip and what an adventure. You handled those dog owners well.

[@chumpmtb2554]

BCT still gives me chills, haha! Denny and I tried knocking out 40 mi to my buddy's house in BCC. It rained the entire day and Denny got a flat with 10 mi to go. Too cold and wet to plug, and the tube had a hole in it. Ended up hiking out on a fire road after dark and my buddy rescued us at the road. 43 F, soaking wet and exhausted, haha! I'd still take that over a butt full of prickly pear tho 😩😂

[@calvinstiles8777]

making lemonade out of lemons. I love it.

[@StaggerLee68]

Magnificent is your BTC. We just finished and man, what an unbelievable bike packing trip. Chunky and "engaging" for most of it's length. A truly brilliant trail system for my brothers first bike packing/thrash adventure. Nice burly cactus fight you folks have down there! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. So groovy.

[@hardtailparty]

Glad you were able to enjoy this great trail.

[@StaggerLee68]

@@hardtailparty Hats off to your trail builders. These two Colorado boys give it two thumbs up and two toes up as well. Fantastic. We're coming back. Sedona looks rad. Peace!

[@durandtopping3023]

Now that’s a good friend 💯 kudos to you guys. Would love to join you for a ride one day, for i haven’t any friends who find this adventurous as I do. Keep riding and stay out the 🌵

[@rakewawrz5200]

Handled that situation better than I would have.

[@mguzikowski]

A great bikepacking hardtail is the 2020 Marin Pine Mountain. Definitely a bike I want to add to my arsenal. Great video man!

[@skullsroad3642]

I'm really tempted by that bike!

[@mguzikowski]

Me too. But I wish there was more reviews about it. I'm unsure if that's the bike I want to pull the trigger on

[@hardtailparty]

Review coming soon. I have one sitting in my basement. I just built it up, but I haven't ridden it yet.

[@rustyshackleford9498]

Rad video, Steve! My friend watched with me and talked about how great it was. Too bad you didn't get any of the characters at the yacht club on camera. Great to reflect on a fun trip!

[@hardtailparty]

Haha. It would have been fun to record, but their comments were so narrow-minded that it wouldn't have landed well with anyone.

[@lostman65]

this video was the best part of my day! how epic of a trip is it when your buddy pulls cactus needles out of your butt!! awesome video steve.

[@hardtailparty]

I know! I've got good friends!

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

Its not an adventure until... you crash in a cactus, ride 60+ miles in flip flops... I once had to ride a 40 mile trail after my suspension fork lost all air pressure... Its those kind of things that add the special sauce to what would otherwise have been a perfect ride.

[@scottsugimoto8223]

I am late to the party. Getting into cycling late in life. Sadly I have taken to carrying " large" animal spray . Worse yet , had to protect myself from a very aggresive dog. Enjoy your channel! Thank you for the information , entertainment a d inspiration

[@miguelflo2]

That looked like one of those cattle dogs. My buddy had one. He bit me on the ankle. They are bred to bite ankles. My buddy thought it was funny but it hurt like a mother. The reaction of those horseman reminded me of my buddy-oh, he didn’t mean any harm. I told my buddy if he tries to bite me again I’m going to kick him and send him flying. He then decided to put him in the house.

[@letsnotgohome1314]

Oh that's so disappointing. I can only assume people try not to say sorry in order to avoid blame in case of legal action. I cant see any other reason why they were not profusely apologising like the majority of people would be. Especially when you were really hurt! I cant say im sad not to have cacti where we live! Anyway.. im only halfway through this vid but stopped to say how well you've done and that i think watching you hande confrontation so well will be such a wonderful example to all of us. Most people wouldnt handle that so well, and i think you've had a positive influence on everyone watching, and likely made the most impact on the equestrians by not just acting out of anger. Well done.

[@cameronlocklear1281]

Awesome videos man. I can tell you put a ton of work into them. I just bought a Santa Cruz highball frame and would love to do some Bike packing with it in the future.

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks so much. This one took many hours to out together. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Comments like these keep me going and wanting to make more.

[@markvalentine7264]

Cameron, I also recently went with the Highball as well, would love to see your bike packing setup!

[@01FozzyS]

Wow, just wow with those horse people. Totally unacceptable. Your boys are awesome,Steve!

[@hardtailparty]

I have good friends.

[@buckroger6456]

All that front weight 😲😲. I'm planning on running a frame bag and a rear rack to keep all the weight off the front end.

[@ultimateogre]

I live in mesa and I'm dying to save up for a hardtail. This video only makes that feeling so much more powerful. Right in my neck of the woods. I love your videos, man. Keep it up

[@hardtailparty]

Do you have a bike at the moment?

[@ultimateogre]

@@hardtailparty no, not yet. Randomly I came across your channel and Seth's bike hacks and INSTANTLY wanted to start riding. Covid closures kinda derailed my plans, but I have no complaints here as I'm still healthy and happy. My best friend just got a karate monkey a few months back, which is even more incentive to get one under my feet.

[@ultimateogre]

@@hardtailparty once I get one we gotta ride in Sedona. That looked like a freaking BLAST!

[@hardtailparty]

Definitely. Keep saving those pennies, it'll be worth it.

[@byknphil]

Never been clipped in for do many reasons. One is, you'll always, for the most part, have shoes that work. I keep a spare set of pedals and Five Tens in the auto. Never loaned out them platforms to many clickless riders at the trailhead.

[@kennethferro729]

I Always love your videos! What month was this?

[@23skido]

Yo, amazing video/trip!! Thanks so much for sharing the adventure! Just so happens that i find myself in Phoenix while on my camping desert road trip (doing some rides and bike camping along the way). Im riding a drop-bar salsa cutthroat with front suspension. What do ya think.... can the canyon be ridden on such a bike? Lmk soon.... anyone! Thanks all. Much love

[@shannonyoell4229]

Awesome video!!! Could you tell is where you got the water purification light?

[@boybusilakbikes]

Another great vid! I'll run out of your content soon. HAHAHAHA! What size rims are you running on those 3.0s?

[@letour32rr]

If you ever decided to take a trip to the Southeast, you should check out the TNGA (Trans North Georgia) route from South Carolina to Alabama through the North Georgia Mountains. There is a documentary about it right now on Amazon Prime called Ride to Extraordinary. That’s about the race, but since you don’t like racing, the route is still be a fun trip with beautiful scenery.

[@hardtailparty]

Sounds cool, thanks for the suggestion. Is there any singletrack, or is it all gravel roads?

[@letour32rr]

hardtail party lots of singletrack, including some of the techiest natural trails Georgia has to offer like Snake Creek Gap. bikepacking.com/routes/trans-north-georgia-tnga/

[@breakandrun70]

Way to show your restraint when that dog made you crash, I don't know if I could have been so polite. How about the dude in training shoes doing the whole sixty miles and not one complaint. The other dude was real cool too, great to find such good people to bike with. Stay safe and party hard in the mountains.

[@BicycleTouringExplorer]

cool

[@mariobari7178]

Awesome video. Sorry about the terrible dog owners. That happened to me once and the dog actually bit my leg pretty bad. The owner denied it all and didn’t say sorry or try help me. Any way lesson learnt to be very weary of dogs off leashes while riding so all take note please

[@RyanAggabao]

That dog owner would do no such thing because he knows he's legally liable and he's better off going with plausible deniability.

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

The lack of concern on the horse back dog owner doesn't suprise me. I've noticed some people resent having to share the trail with other user groups, and this is true of all sides. That said, those folk were truly irresponsible as dog owners. I'm also disgusted with the dog owners who collect the doggy doo and leave it laying in the plastic baggies along the trail. Anyway great video content! Makes me want to get out and bike pack. Forgive me, but I laughed my butt off when I saw your riding buddy tweezing the spines from yours!

[@markroy5555]

Great Video Steve! Where was that trailhead you started at?

[@hardtailparty]

0:02

[@highwayvagabonds474]

Can you review the bikes and their setups maybe? I see the one fellow is running a Surly Moloko bar! Got a Surly Bridge Club I'm just starting to build out....

[@hardtailparty]

Today's video is a bike check of my bike. Sadly I don't have a check of Robby's fuze.

[@thunderdogproductions]

driving out from cottonwood towards camp verde on 260, i see black canyon.... is that part of this route? or is that too far north? loooove AZ so many options! Im just getting started and I love watching you and dusty's videos, you two are a dynamic duo. was it really sore going rigid fork?

[@hardtailparty]

That is not part of this route... Yet. But it will be eventually. You'll be able to ride flagstaff to phx all on dirt.

[@loamtrailer805]

Liter supersport bikes don't scare me, horses do, it's not the horse it's the rider on the horse! Kudo's for keeping your cool, dog should not be on any trail. Not the dogs fault it's the owner! Glad you are okay

[@stevemurray2737]

Pepper Spray on the outside of your Camelbak. Dude, those folks were soooo out of line. Sorry that happened..

[@Sturmer69]

Could you link the top bag thats on your handlebar bag? Awesome vid btw

[@hardtailparty]

I have an entire video dedicated to my bike setup from this trip.

[@FlyNineVictor]

What was the water level when you rode the Black Canyon

[@jaib666]

You have a really nice area near you. As an Englishman, that looks completely alien and scary to crash on.

[@hardtailparty]

It is scary to crash on. The desert feels like a different planet sometimes. I hope to be able to ride the UK one day.

[@jaib666]

@@hardtailparty There's plenty of variety in the UK, from flow trails at bikeparks to properly gnarly stuff, like going down Snowdon or another mountain. Avoid the South of England, it's really boring.

[@kellybrooks9899]

Amazing friends you’ve got there. I’m sure there’s a punchline of a joke I should insert here. :) I could not have kept my cool with the dog owners. Great attitude Steve. Worthless dog owners

[@josesbox9555]

Was that you carrying the jet boil? Did it pack away pretty good?

[@hardtailparty]

I was carrying the vargo bot and the Soto winemaster. My buddy Robby was carrying the jerboil. They're great little cook systems.

[@2old4u]

Will you run a rigid fork next time?

[@hardtailparty]

Definitely

[@mtgoat4434]

Yeah man hate dogs like that mainly the owners. What kind of glasses your wearing? Nice shades

[@hardtailparty]

They're julbos. I love 'em.

[@mellissanash7517]

Have you looked at some of your local routes over at bikepacking.com? What gearing setup do you have on your bikepacking setup?

[@hardtailparty]

Yes, I have. I've ridden many if them. I have the stock 11 speed Slx that came on my RSD sergeant v3 11-46 30t

[@mellissanash7517]

@@hardtailparty Did you feel like you had adequate gearing or did you wish you had a 11-50?

[@hardtailparty]

@@mellissanash7517 depends on the trail. On this trail I don't think I ever used the 46t. In fact, I usually wasn't lower than the 36t. I feel like this trail could be ridden on a single speed if you're a strong ss rider. For bikepacking in general I usually recommend the widest range cassette possible.

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

If you have the standard shimano free hub, the Sunrace cs-mz903 11-51 tooth is a nice economical choice. I'm wondering if I can pedal the 51 tooth cog with a 30t front sprocket fast enough to keep from just falling over...

[@Nihilist13]

How about a nighttime hardtail party?

[@hardtailparty]

We do lots of night rides, and ice got.a video of one here. The videos don't turn out great when there's little light.

[@AeroPrixma]

Are you a Arizona local? I'd love you to review my Marin San Quentin 2

[@hardtailparty]

Wow, that's very kind of you. I'd love to review it. I live in Sedona. What size is your San quentin?

[@AeroPrixma]

@@hardtailparty My San Quentin is a size Large.

[@AeroPrixma]

@@hardtailparty it's stock for the most part. Just has a dropper post, raceface chesters, raceface half nelson grips, and tubeless hans damphf.

[@hardtailparty]

@@AeroPrixma Sounds perfect. Once COVID-19 Is behind us, I'd love to take it for a spin. Thanks.

[@AeroPrixma]

@@hardtailparty Awesome man.

[@davidstepro7486]

All the horse people I've ever come across have been completely kind and friendly. Just your luck to cross paths with a couple of jerks. They obviously have it in for mountain bikers. Be thankful that these types of people are few and far between while out on the trails.

[@hardtailparty]

I'm glad to hear that. About 70% of the equestrians I've come across have been very kind.

[@SWFBrickbox]

Vapor gloves are basically being barefoot! Dang!

[@hardtailparty]

100%

[@eidolusgad3818]

I wish I had friends that ride. I'd also like to meet an American woman that rides. Anything to move from Canada to the U.S.A.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

question for anyone reading this; is it okay to pepper spray a chasing dog on the trails?

[@hardtailparty]

Depends on where you live and your local laws. Where I live, if you feel your life is in danger you absolutely can.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

@@hardtailparty thanks Steve

[@williamhunt7181]

thats why you need duck tape to get cacti out of your but.

[@hardtailparty]

Absolutely! I had some with me and I used it all up. Sadly it wasn't enough.

[@williamhunt7181]

@@hardtailparty darn dude

[@duanehundley]

Typical Heeler dog. They are great to their owners but they like to be protective and you have correct their behavior when they are young. Really really good dogs though.

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, I don't blame the dog, I blame the owners. You can't have a dog out like this on public land.

[@jackiechan4399]

Thanks for all you do on your channel Steve! I've been soaking up your videos for the last couple of weeks looking for a hardtail and am definitely buying a Sergeant V4 and RSD has them on sale for $1599 with DVO Diamond D3 140mm w/44mm offset and NX drive train. I'm also going to place a deposit on the rigid adventure fork to try some bike packing. Don't think I'll do any better for the price and thanks again for all of your super informative videos.👍🙏

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks for watching!