By Roger Naylor
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
Albert Einstein
To understand Castle Hot Springs you must understand the surroundings. That location is central to its identity as an enticing getaway far from civilization. The remoteness has always been part of the attraction just like the healing and healthful properties of the hot springs themselves. Tucked away in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, the resort is a quiet place. And it’s best explored in a quiet way, an intimate way. Today, that’s from the saddle of an e-bike. These are fat tire off-road electric bikes built for comfort and power while making distant corners of the desert instantly accessible to Castle Hot Springs guests.
The resort offers scenic e-bike tours. Guests venture out in small groups led by a guide to explore the network of historic stagecoach and mining roads that crisscross the desert. Adventures Guide, Jack Mann is there to make the outing a memorable one.
“We use e-bikes for the tour, which for a lot of people will be a new experience,” says Mann. “Fear not though. We take time at the beginning of the tour to do a crash course in electrified cycling. These are powerful pedal-assist bikes, giving big support when we pedal and coasting like normal when we let off.”
Tours last about two hours and are suitable for all fitness levels. It’s a chance to experience the sense of wonder shared by the earliest guests at the resort as they arrived by wagon and stagecoach at the beginning of the 20th century. You’ll actually travel some of the very same routes. It is hilly, rugged terrain, the kind that would be challenging on foot or riding traditional mountain bikes. Yet it feels like it was made for an e-bike tour.
“E-bikes are fantastic for leveling the playing field on fitness,” says Mann. “Having some power motivating you uphill is very good for morale. It allows riders of all fitness levels to ride together. Keep in mind, however, the e-bikes operate just like a normal bike going downhill—you have to stay sharp and keep your wits about you.”
A visit to Castle Hot Springs is all about keeping guests healthy and close to nature. The e-bike tours are one more element of that philosophy, along with hiking tours, via ferrata climbing adventures, stand-up paddleboard yoga, and more. Despite the plush comfort of the cabins, life spills outdoors here. Take advantage of the fresh clear air and bountiful sunshine that are hallmarks of Castle Hot Springs.
“It’s amazing to travel all the way ‘out there’ by way of such an intimately connected vehicle,” says Mann. “To be able to feel the wind against the face is a momentary meditation on living in the desert. No walls to insulate you, minimal suspension—it’s the real deal.”
Traveling quietly across the landscape means wildlife sightings are a distinct possibility. Keep an eye peeled for coyotes, javelina, wild burros, and plenty of other desert dwellers. Watch for hawks circling overhead and listen for the song of the cactus wren trilling among the saguaros. The journey is also an excellent history lesson as you take a look into the area’s rowdy past.
“Along the ride, we’ll stop at any wildlife sighting, landscape vistas, and some relics of the cowboy days,” says Mann. “We’ll say hi to the neighbors passing through, and marvel at Crown King’s pine-topped forest from a distance. We’ll stare down into Big Hells Gate, and look deep into the Bradshaw range.”
Here’s a chance to delve into the desert, ramble along the historic roads, and traverse the hidden canyons. Let the land spread out before you, revealing breath-snatching vistas around every curve in the road. With the e-bike itself doing most of the work on the uphill climbs, guests can relax a bit and focus on the lavish details of this spectacular landscape.
All levels of experience are welcome on this beginner to intermediate scenic cruise. For more experienced riders, inquire ahead for challenging routes with more hills, zig-zags, or zippy bits. No matter which outing you choose, you’ll still enjoy enough of a workout to savor a long soak in the hot springs at the end of your ride.
As Mann says, “Once you get the hang of the bikes and build trust in your steed, you can find flow and work on developing your smile lines.”