Prickly Pedal

The Prickly Pedal is a mountain-bike endurance event that starts in Cave Creek, Arizona, and follows the Maricopa Trail to Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Riders can choose between a 15-mile and a 36-mile course, both demanding routes with steep climbs, technical descents, and varied terrain that includes rock, sand, and mud. The event supports the Maricopa Trail and Park Foundation, with all proceeds going toward expanding the Maricopa Trail. It's built for experienced cyclists — the terrain and distance call for solid mountain-biking skills, and riders should come prepared for a genuinely demanding day in the Arizona desert.