WORTHWHILE MILE
The Worthwhile Mile is a fundraising initiative to support giving programs of the Walter Spohn Trust and to improve public awareness about innovative research and services in the field of facial prosthetic rehabilitation, anaplastology.
2019
Sonoran Desert, Arizona · Tonto National Forest/McDowell Mountain Regional Park
3-Day Ride/3 Nights Camping· September 19-22, 2019
WM RIDE
IT'S BACK!
The WST is excited to announce the return of the Worthwhile Mile Multi-Day Bike Ride!
Trip Dates - September 19-22, 2019 • Registration opens May 3, 2019
THE CAUSE
The Walter Spohn Trust provides financial support for educational and research projects to advance the field of Anaplastology. Learn more about WST Giving Programs.
THE RIDE
This 3-day ride journeys through some of Arizona's most beautiful desert landscapes. The route will travel through colorful Sonoran Desert terrain, including Tonto National Forest, Usery Pass, the Verde River, and so much more!
You're guaranteed giant saguaro cacti, gorgeous desert sunsets, and star-filled skies that will take your breath away. Up to 25 riders may register for the WM 2019 ride. It is a fully supported ride with three meals per day and overnight basecamps pre-arranged. This is a service-oriented adventure; all riders commit to fundraising $1,600 prior to the trip in support of the Walter Spohn Trust.
Tonto National Forest area
(Pheonix/Scottsdale, AZ)
$100 Early Bird Registration Fee (May 3 - July 17)
$150 Regular Registration Fee (July 18 - Aug 18)
$1,600 Fundraising Commitment
40 & 60 mile routes (each day)
120-180 mi (190-290 km) total
Tent camping (riders may rent or supply their own tent, sleeping bag and mat). Each rider's camping gear and duffle bag will be hauled by ride support.
The Trip: 4 Days/3 nights
Day 1 Orientation (afternoon)
Days 2-4 Riding Days
All participants will receive the custom-designed 2019 WM Ride Jersey (by Primal)
All participants will be picked up from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Thursday, September 19th at 1:00 pm local time. If you are already in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, a pick-up location will be determined for local riders to be picked up following out-of-town riders. Once all riders are on board, we will head to McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Your guides will provide a trip orientation after setting up camp among wildly eroded, granite boulders. Camp setup will be followed by Welcome Beer & Bike Fit, a healthy dinner, and a fireside route and safety overview to make sure everyone's in good shape for the next day's ride.
DAY 1 - PICK UP & CAMPFIRE ORIENTATION
DAY 2 - RIDE THE RIO SALADO
Riding distance: 40 or 62 miles, +2689 elevation gain
Riders will have the option of 40 or 62 mile route taking us through the outskirts of Tonto National Forest and along the Salt River. We’ll tackle a brief climb, Usery Pass, before heading back and settling into camp for the night. As your guides prepare a delicious meal to fuel you for your next day’s ride through the heart of the Sonoran Desert, you can put your feet up and enjoy a magnificent sunset and mind blowing stars in the wide open Arizona sky.
DAY 3 - MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN
Riding distance: 50 miles, +2584 elevation gain
Wake up surrounded by rugged, rocky mountains and rise from our cozy basecamp to start the day with a hot pick-me-up and breakfast. On Ride Day 2, we’ll journey west over 50+ miles of varying terrain. From “9-mile climb”, as the locals call it, to the pristine pavement of Sonoran Desert Drive, this route allows you to roll along some of the best roads in the Sonoran Desert while sinking into the rhythm of adventure cycling. With plenty of support and encouragement along the way, we’ll arrive to our final camp with time to relax over a hearty dinner and exchange stories from our day in the saddle.
DAY 4 - SONORAN DESERT PARKWAY
Riding distance: 48 miles, +1499 elevation gain
Rise and shine!! The final day of your road cycling trip will take us through the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree, throwing one moderate climb at you to wrap up a memorable ride in the Arizona wilderness. We’ll head south and descend on smooth and flowing roads to a scenic picnic lunch prepared by your guides. As the day begins to wind down we’ll return to the AOA ride hub in North Scottsdale and conclude our challenge of road cycling through the Sonoran Desert.
HISTORY OF THE WORTHWHILE MILE
Throughout the spring and summer of 2012, anaplastologist Erin Stevens pledged to cycle 1000 miles to promote the practice of Clinical Anaplastology and improve awareness about anaplastology services among the public and healthcare professionals. She had great success and vowed to carry the project forward by opening it up to multiple riders. There's more power in numbers, right?
In 2013, Erin served as one of four leaders, guiding a team of 28 cyclists coast-to-coast from North Carolina to California. Motivated to learn more about organizing larger group rides, she gleaned a wealth of knowledge from her Bike & Build team, directors and co-leaders. While descending the Rockies on July 4th, Erin began to plan her next moves to expand The Worthwhile Mile in 2014.
In 2014, Erin and eight other riders formed the WM 2014 Team, participating in two 6-day rides from Denver to Durango, Colorado, and from Nashville, Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina. The rides were a wonderful adventure and an exciting opportunity to share with other communities about the field of anaplastology.
In 2016, Erin began serving on the WSEF Committee and now serves as Vice-President of the Walter Spohn Trust Board of Directors. The Worthwhile Mile continues to be an important fundraising initiative for the WST and the advancement of Clinical Anaplastology.
This year, the WST has teamed up with Arizona Outback Adventures to organize an incredible 3-Day cycling adventure in the Sonoran Desert!
JOIN THE WORTHWHILE MILE 2019 TEAM!
Registration opens May 3, 2019.
