Editor’s note: Karilyn Roach wrote this post. She holds a MS in Urban Planning from the University of Arizona and works as a Program Coordinator with Watershed Management Group, a Tucson non-profit. She currently sits on the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee and rides a Jamis Aurora Elite.

The fourth race of the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona 2012 race season took place at Fort Huachuca Army Base in Sierra Vista on Saturday.

Foray at the Fort was raced on trails near the Wren Arena at the base of the Huachuca Mountains. Most groups competing in the race faced about 100 feet of elevation gain per mile, making it the hardest course yet this season. In addition, conditions on the morning of the race included gusty winds and blowing dust.

The Pro group was small at this race and Zachary Keller of Focus Racing out of Gilbert took first place. Tucson rider, Charlie Roach (Full disclosure: He is my husband. Go Charlie!), placed second among Category 2 Men age 35-49 after a bad crash halfway through the course.

A contingent of nine military men also competed. Tanner Morgan took first place, completing their 10-mile course in 56 minutes, 30 seconds.

Full results are here.

The next race is in Prescott on Saturday, April 14. The Prescott Punisher promises to be very challenging, and will draw additional riders from northern Arizona.

I don’t take as many photos as Michael, but here some pics from the day:

I’m still working on the photos and video from Saturday’s Old Pueblo Grand Prix.

Look for them tomorrow morning.

Here are a couple to hold you over.

If you haven’t been out on the trails recently, do yourself a favor and get out there. Wildflowers like the ones in the above photo at Starr Pass are blooming all over the trail system.

Amber Perry was hesitant to become a Rider of the Week because her bike was looking a little beat up after a few crashes.

The University of Arizona senior, double majoring in molecular and cellular biology and Spanish, says she has crashed a few times on the trolley tracks and once with another bike, so the crashes have led to a rough looking bike.

It’s the trolley tracks and the cracked roads that frustrate Perry the most while riding around on the older Schwinn bicycle her father handed down to her.

“I get butterflies in my stomach when I cross the cracks,” she says.

She says one of her favorite things about riding in Tucson is the Tuesday Night Bike Ride and although she goes less frequently because of her schedule, she enjoys the different routes and the people.

Here are few photos from the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo that wrapped up yesterday.

Having slept only a an hour or two in the last two days, I can’t bring myself to edit photos and video all night. Be sure to check back for more photos, videos and stories from the race.

Beers and bikes mark the race.

Combining the two isn't always a great idea.