The Radavist

Camera Corner is coming to Phoenix, AZ, on Thursday, November 21, at 7 PM, at the Studio at Wilson. Screenings in other cities have sold out, so get your tickets soon!

Our friends at State Bicycle Co. are giving away a State Klunker to one lucky-ticketed attendee, along with other prizes from us at The Radavist and Wilson Camera.

We’re screening a very limited run of I’d Rather be Klunking shirts with the unique event design shown above, which are also for sale on the ticketing page.

It’s a beautiful time of year to ride in Phoenix right now and the team at Rage Cycles are leading a group ride from the shop to the venue. The ride will leave at 5:45 pm sharp for the ~11-mile cruise downtown.

See you there!

Pre-Order the Camera Corner Book here!

In the face of record heat, one city’s mountain bikers go fully nocturnal. The summer of 2023 was the hottest on record for Phoenix, Arizona, with a daily average temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit for all of June, July and August and a total of 55 days with highs of at least 110 degrees.

In such conditions, getting out on the trails isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be downright deadly. Mountain bikers, however, tend to be a foolishly tenacious crowd. Faced with such searing conditions, many local riders have taken a cue from the wildlife and gone fully nocturnal to escape the heat.

“Down here, it’s the only time that’s safe and tolerable to ride,” says Arizona rider Kurt Refsnider. “You can only spend so much time by the pool, and not everyone has a pool.”

“South Mountain Sunset” is the fifth layout of the Radavist 2024 Calendar. It was shot with a Canon R5 and a Canon f2.8 24-70, in Phoenix, AZ. Photographed by John Watson.

“John and Josh got in one last photoshoot on South Mountain before the heat rolled into the Sonoran Desert and the greater Phoenix area.”

For a high-res JPG, suitable for print and desktop wallpaper*, right-click and save link as – The Radavist 2024 – May. Please, this photo is for personal use only!
(*set background to white and center for optimal coverage)

The mobile background this month is of a glorious saguaro rising over a wildflower bloom. Click here to download May’s Mobile Wallpaper.

The Switchblade has been one of the best-selling bikes in Arizona-based Pivot Cycles‘ lineup since the first version dropped nearly eight years ago. Utilizing a DW-Link platform, it was one of the first full-suspension bikes to incorporate Super Boost rear spacing with either 27.5+ or 29″ wheels. Its last major overhaul was back in 2020 – which saw the bike grow bigger, longer, and lighter – and today Pivot introduces the next iteration of the Switchblade with geometry and kinematic advancements they claim “sets a new bar for how a 140-150 mm travel Trail/Enduro bike should ride.” This launch also celebrates the 35th anniversary of the first bike built by Pivot’s founder/CEO Chris Cocalis back in 1989: the Sun Eagle Talon.

Josh Weinberg, who lives just up the road from Pivot HQ in Phoenix, AZ, recently spent a couple of days getting to know the new Switchblade on some of his favorite trails and, below, shares a first look at the new model and some initial ride impressions…

“Hawes” is the second layout of the Radavist 2024 Calendar. It was shot with a Canon R5 and a Canon f2.8 24-70, outside of Phoenix, AZ. Photographed by John Watson.

“The mighty Salt River snakes it way across the background landscape in this vista from atop a ridgeline in the Hawes trail system as Hailey Moore and Josh Weinberg chase each other through the Sonoran Desert.”

For a high-res JPG, suitable for print and desktop wallpaper*, right-click and save link as – The Radavist 2024 – February. Please, this photo is for personal use only!
(*set background to white and center for optimal coverage)

The mobile background this month is a vertical crop from the same evening. Click here to download February’s Mobile Wallpaper.

“SoMo Sunset” is the ninth layout of the Radavist 2022 Calendar. It was shot with a Sony A1 and 70-200 lens outside on South Mountain, Phoenix.

“Stef McDaniel rides South Mountain in Phoenix, AZ on a very warm summer evening. Photo by Josh Weinberg.”

For a high-res JPG, suitable for print and desktop wallpaper*, right-click and save link as – The Radavist 2022 – September. Please, this photo is for personal use only!
(*set background to white and center for optimal coverage)

The mobile background this month is a vertical crop from this photo. Click here to download September’s Mobile Wallpaper.

The Hawes Trail System, located in Phoenix, Arizona’s East Valley, is quickly becoming one of metro Phoenix’s more popular mountain biking destinations for both tourists and locals. Situated in the Mesa Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest, the zone is known for spectacular views and around 25 miles of designated trails that range from easy to very difficult; featuring bermed corners, steep climbs, and chunky rock drops.

Living in a place where it’s usually over 100 degrees and 70% humidity, I’d rather be swimming than riding at high noon. Then again, the Hell Ride is something special…

State Bicycle Co made a video for their newest addition to their lineup, the Contender.