Pirate/East Side Trail Review
Estrelladuro description
From the staging area to segment one there is a quick street crossing to a dirt powerline road that will take you to the start of our pristine single track.
We will then ride a "soon to be closed" segment called Buccaneer trail. This is not timed and goes up and down through some washes over a low saddle.
At the end of Buccaneer will be timed segment one. This segment will consist of climbing the Saddle Up trail and descending on the What Up trail. Climbing will consist of several techy switchback areas that will have you choosing the proper line on the fly. The descent is also heavy in switchbacks, and may even give advantage to those still rocking the 26 inch wheels. Total segment length will be approximately 1.2 miles.
Segment two will be the the infamous Pirate trail. Pirate trail is desert single track at its best, and runs along the mountain foothills north to south. There are numerous wash crossings, ups and downs, and twistes that guarantee to put a smile on your face. Beware of the "pirate cove" which is the tech challenge on the trail, As it twists close to the mountain you need to navigate around larger rocks while heading through a wash. Approximate segment length is 1.6 miles.
After pirate trail there will be a quick 200 yard jaunt down a fireroad to the next segment, titled Bootlegger trail.
Bootlegger starts by descending down and through a wash, but don't be fooled, this is a climbing segment. The climb is gradual, and may include a mulligan at one of the optional tech lines. Approximate segment length is 0.7 miles.
At the top of Bootlegger trail is Brethetn Court, a four way trail intersection perfect for the beer chug. Logs for sitting and a bike rack are just some of the amenities you will find at this semi oasis in the Estrella foothills.
Segment four, named after Captian Hook's ship, is Jolly Roger. Jolly Roger is the longest and most demanding segment of the course. It starts with a descent to a fireroad crossing and gradually climbs to the fenceline of the Estrella Mountain Regional Park. The trail dips down into a wash and has a climb out that will have you shifting for an easier gear, or standing if you are a single speed guy. Once to the top of the climb there is a rocking flowly descent back to the finish at a fireroad. A possible jump mulligan is in the works for the end of this segment. Be ready for the course's loose and chunky sections to be displayed on this trail. Approximate length is 2 miles.
After The Jolly Roger segment there will be a quick climb back up to Brethern Court, which will be the start of the final planned segment of the evening. This segment is the Rum Runner trail, a flowy descent back down to civilization. The first half of the trail is a quick straight shot down hill with a few slight turns. It is easy to get up to speed quick so ride smart. You will cross a jeep road and continue on the second half of the trail which twists around on relatively level ground to the end of the trail at the same powerline road we traveled in on. Approximate segment length is 1.2 miles.
We will then have about a 1 mile ride along the powerline road to get back to our starting place to tap the keg of ice cold PBR. There is also an option to travel the mile back on a wide sidewalk depending on how you are feeling after the ride.
We locals in Estrella are really looking forward to hosting this event! Get excited, it is bound to be a great time.
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