If you're surprised to find a shuttle run of these proportions in Arizona, you're not alone. It's rare to find a shuttle this massive, this epic, even in the burliest of the Rocky Mountains, let alone dropping into the Sonoran Desert just north of the Mexican border. But word is getting out about Mount Lemmon, and companies like Home Grown Mountain Biking Tours are springing up to serve the demand for shuttles and guided riding alike.

So what exactly are the trails on this epic shuttle run like? In two words: "brutally gnarly."

"The word 'gnarly' falls well short of doing justice to La Milagrosa, a rock-strewn, cactus-lined plummet through a potential house of pain," writes mountain bike journalist John Fisch about one of the prime sections of the Full Lemmon Drop. "Some may bemoan a lack of flow, but others prize this trail for its natural, non-manmade features and continual challenge."

And La Milagrosa, while one of the best-known sections, isn't even the most technical. Mountain bike journalist Tory Powers claims on Pinkbike that Incinerator Ridge is "one of the techiest public trails I've ever gotten a chance to ride." And that is saying something! "I'm not exaggerating when I say I couldn't ride some of this with my camera bag on," he continues. "If you want a seriously fun challenge, this trail is a must. 2 miles of mostly descent over about 1200' that's chock full of technical rock gardens, man-made technical switchbacks, natural rock rolls, and fast segments to connect it all."

Take these warnings to heart: this is not a beginner or intermediate mountain bike ride. The Full Lemmon Drop is for advanced and expert mountain bikers only—but once you're competent enough to handle this route, you'll have to plan your pilgrimage to Tucson!

Sources: https://singletracks.com/mtb-trails/five2ride-best-bike-trails-near-tucson-az/ https://www.pinkbike.com/news/destination-showcase-tucson-arizona.html