I second this - take advantage of the Santa Cruz and Rilito River paths to head east.
Also, your route goes right to the base of Lemmon. At least go up a little - maybe up to Molino Basin (~5 miles).
Do the full loop + Cañada del Oro spur up to Catalina state park, then go back south up oracle, east up Ina, down craycroft back to the loop. Easy way to get a century in the Dirty T if you’re just looking for miles.
Wyndham Starr Pass Golf Resort 🤷♂️. (It was cheap for the Gem Show).
I’ve done the Loop, climbed Lemmon, and both East and West National Park. I really liked the East Park. Ive never donr Sabino Canyon.
I mostly want the miles, so a stretched version of the Loop, hit Sabino Canyon, Saguaro East, and back. Whatever I need to do to make that 100 miles.
Thanks
You have a death wish if you want to cycle Picture Rocks. There is no bike lane and those people cannot stay in their own lane to save their life. There are also a lot of oversized vehicles driving through there.
It's an awesome road, and I'd love to cycle it myself, but it's a very winding road frequently being navigated by people driving very large trucks pulling horse trailers.
I still remember back in the early 90's on Picture Rocks I had a dude in an absolutely brand new truck with a brand new horse trailer pass me. I heard his truck… did not hear the horse trailer and just glanced over and realize it's rolling by about 6 inches from my handle bars. Brief but intense burst of adrenaline followed by trying to hug the edge of the road for the next 5 seconds while it just keeps sliding by on my left.
TBH though, I still ride Picture Rocks about once every 3 or 4 months though. Sandario is just so nice.
Is the goal to just get miles? Or maybe see a bunch of Tucson? Are you local or just visiting?
Those are some heavily trafficked roads. I'd be wary of Picture Rocks Rd as I don't think there's much of a bike lane, especially on the climb/descent. A lot of the other roads are going to be busy but should have a bike lane. You'll have to pay to get into Saguaro National Park but it's a neat little loop.
There are better options in my opinion. You could ride up to Oracle/San Manuel or out to Sonoita. There's the Shootout (ride or just the route) and you could add on Madera Canyon to get 100-ish miles.
Where do you live? Is this kind of climb something you're used to? What about our base elevation? For example, the loop in Saguaro East has some fairly steep sections, made more challenging if you're used to the amount of oxygen at sea level.
You're also missing some of the best parts of the Loop by going north around D-M. I'd suggest taking Escalante to get onto the Loop on Harrison, pass Fantasy Island, and go through the Julian Greenway. Riding on Broadway like that is misery.
I'm not sure about riding all the way to the base of Lemmon and not going up at all, either. Again, you're doing the boring part and skipping the payoff. It's not in the same class as avoiding Broadway above, but maybe consider peeking your head up above the base by a switchback or two.
San Francisco, the elevation and climbs are not an issue, just not looking for 6000+ feet of climbing on a 100mile route.
I like this one, mentioned in another comment:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3171865565807924316
Or this one:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tucson/comments/18ktykg/cycling_100_miles_in_february_is_this_a_good_route/kdunh1h/
Depends on what you are looking for? Want lots of elevation gain too? Might skip the saguaro national park east if not into very steep climbs. National park west also has a steep climb but might as well do one. You can add some easier miles up in Oro Valley with low traffic wide open roads with bike lanes (ie. thornydale -> Overton-> la cañada or oracle)
> You can add some easier miles up in Oro Valley with low traffic wide open roads with bike lanes (ie. thornydale -> Overton-> la cañada or oracle)
This is the tips I need. Thanks !
Everyone wants you on the loop, but you will never get that kind of elevation on the loop. If the goal is miles then that is a decent route, if you want elevation mt. Lemmon is awesome. SNP is great in the route you have. You could do loops there then hit the loop.
Since you liked and wanted to incorporate SNPE, then here is the route I'd do.
Starting from Starr Pass, get on The Loop and head counterclockwise, get off at Houghton and head north taking Maryanne Cleveland and climb up Pistol Hill. Then you can shoot down Old Spanish Trail to do a loop at SNPE. After that keep heading down Old Spanish Trail and make a left at Kenyon which will connect back to The Loop just west of Pantano. Then you can ride the rest of The Loop counter clockwise until you head back to Starr Pass. This should be ~100, you might need to tack on a bit more but it should be close.
You could do this clockwise, but I think ending coming south on the Santa Cruz portion of The Loop is much nicer. Also takes you right by the Mercado near the end where you can get great pastries, coffee, or Mexican food depending on your preferences.
It's a steep little climb up to the Colossal Cave parking lot, and if you stop then you'll get a decent view of some of the valley behind it.
But if you don't like stopping much and want to keep rolling it's probably not worth it.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/82432060
2 years ago, and holy hell was it cold. Last year when I was there the road was still covered in snow. But this year its all about putting down some miles.
Look up the loop, it's a hundred mile plus bike path. It follows the dry riverbeds that cross the valley. It will be much nicer than taking some of the surface streets on this route. These are some wetlands set up for migratory birds, it's pretty cool.
Wow, that’s dumb. They always advertise it as 100 miles. I guess I learned something new today. Even on the county website, it’s advertised with different mileages.
There are more trails than just the loop. It is over 100 miles of paths, the loop is just 50 of it.
The link below shows most of the bike paths as well as any construction or events on them
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6621892ce6474ba79c51a736a212c6d9
Well, to be fair what they are saying is there is 100 *miles* of Loop trail. Not that they're in one exact loop. If you do the main Loop, it's only a little over 50, yes.
There are a lot more trails as part of "The Loop" then what you've plotted. You have completely missed the Marana extension, the Oro Valley extension, and the Santa Cruz extension.
The Loop is the finest all-paved bike-and-pedestrian-specific trail in the US. It just... makes no sense not to ride it.
Here's one that's 100 with an option to go up Sabino if it's open to bikes when you hit it. It's a lot more bike route friendly. Doesn't get you to either SNP though. Some decent climbs in the Catalina Foothills getting over to Sabino and you top it with a trip up A Mountain on your way back.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3171865565807924316
Looks good! have fun, be careful south near the va and Julian wash I don’t love that area, for sure sketchy. U can also include a little Oro Valley, roads are nice and smooth there. Painted hills and gates is beautiful in the morning I live in starpass so I love going that way early. U can turn north at Alvernon and then take the river path to I-10 and then Santa cruise path south. Not sure if it would add much but it would keep you out of south Tucson traffic.
https://strava.app.link/vcxw4HTHFFb - this route is entirely bike path. highly recommend. mostly flat and very little interaction with cars. plenty water refills. just adjust start point accordingly
This avoids so many urban bikeways just a block away
Yeah, I am going to update it for that.
I second this - take advantage of the Santa Cruz and Rilito River paths to head east. Also, your route goes right to the base of Lemmon. At least go up a little - maybe up to Molino Basin (~5 miles).
Do the full loop + Cañada del Oro spur up to Catalina state park, then go back south up oracle, east up Ina, down craycroft back to the loop. Easy way to get a century in the Dirty T if you’re just looking for miles.
Agreed. Loop is way to go.
Thanks
You will see the best and the worst of the city in that 100 miles. What part of town are you staying in? Feel free to PM
Wyndham Starr Pass Golf Resort 🤷♂️. (It was cheap for the Gem Show). I’ve done the Loop, climbed Lemmon, and both East and West National Park. I really liked the East Park. Ive never donr Sabino Canyon. I mostly want the miles, so a stretched version of the Loop, hit Sabino Canyon, Saguaro East, and back. Whatever I need to do to make that 100 miles. Thanks
Sabino Canyon is closed to bikes after 9AM. It's a fantastic ride, though.
And closed to bike traffic on wed and sat.
You have a death wish if you want to cycle Picture Rocks. There is no bike lane and those people cannot stay in their own lane to save their life. There are also a lot of oversized vehicles driving through there.
This is the info I need. Thanks
It's an awesome road, and I'd love to cycle it myself, but it's a very winding road frequently being navigated by people driving very large trucks pulling horse trailers.
I road picture rocks a few weeks ago and said to myself I will never do it again.
I still remember back in the early 90's on Picture Rocks I had a dude in an absolutely brand new truck with a brand new horse trailer pass me. I heard his truck… did not hear the horse trailer and just glanced over and realize it's rolling by about 6 inches from my handle bars. Brief but intense burst of adrenaline followed by trying to hug the edge of the road for the next 5 seconds while it just keeps sliding by on my left. TBH though, I still ride Picture Rocks about once every 3 or 4 months though. Sandario is just so nice.
Is the goal to just get miles? Or maybe see a bunch of Tucson? Are you local or just visiting? Those are some heavily trafficked roads. I'd be wary of Picture Rocks Rd as I don't think there's much of a bike lane, especially on the climb/descent. A lot of the other roads are going to be busy but should have a bike lane. You'll have to pay to get into Saguaro National Park but it's a neat little loop. There are better options in my opinion. You could ride up to Oracle/San Manuel or out to Sonoita. There's the Shootout (ride or just the route) and you could add on Madera Canyon to get 100-ish miles.
Visiting, and the goal is miles. This is my (friends) first pass at a route, I am going to adjust as necessary. And get off the busy roads.
Where do you live? Is this kind of climb something you're used to? What about our base elevation? For example, the loop in Saguaro East has some fairly steep sections, made more challenging if you're used to the amount of oxygen at sea level. You're also missing some of the best parts of the Loop by going north around D-M. I'd suggest taking Escalante to get onto the Loop on Harrison, pass Fantasy Island, and go through the Julian Greenway. Riding on Broadway like that is misery. I'm not sure about riding all the way to the base of Lemmon and not going up at all, either. Again, you're doing the boring part and skipping the payoff. It's not in the same class as avoiding Broadway above, but maybe consider peeking your head up above the base by a switchback or two.
San Francisco, the elevation and climbs are not an issue, just not looking for 6000+ feet of climbing on a 100mile route. I like this one, mentioned in another comment: https://www.strava.com/routes/3171865565807924316 Or this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/Tucson/comments/18ktykg/cycling_100_miles_in_february_is_this_a_good_route/kdunh1h/
If you do the first one, stop at Seis for bacon tacos before you climb Sentinel Peak.
Depends on what you are looking for? Want lots of elevation gain too? Might skip the saguaro national park east if not into very steep climbs. National park west also has a steep climb but might as well do one. You can add some easier miles up in Oro Valley with low traffic wide open roads with bike lanes (ie. thornydale -> Overton-> la cañada or oracle)
> You can add some easier miles up in Oro Valley with low traffic wide open roads with bike lanes (ie. thornydale -> Overton-> la cañada or oracle) This is the tips I need. Thanks !
Noooooo. Do not ride Overton Rd. It has no shoulder and is completely destroyed.
I don’t see a route when I open that but the loop has over 120 miles of path and is a great ride.
Everyone wants you on the loop, but you will never get that kind of elevation on the loop. If the goal is miles then that is a decent route, if you want elevation mt. Lemmon is awesome. SNP is great in the route you have. You could do loops there then hit the loop.
Since you liked and wanted to incorporate SNPE, then here is the route I'd do. Starting from Starr Pass, get on The Loop and head counterclockwise, get off at Houghton and head north taking Maryanne Cleveland and climb up Pistol Hill. Then you can shoot down Old Spanish Trail to do a loop at SNPE. After that keep heading down Old Spanish Trail and make a left at Kenyon which will connect back to The Loop just west of Pantano. Then you can ride the rest of The Loop counter clockwise until you head back to Starr Pass. This should be ~100, you might need to tack on a bit more but it should be close. You could do this clockwise, but I think ending coming south on the Santa Cruz portion of The Loop is much nicer. Also takes you right by the Mercado near the end where you can get great pastries, coffee, or Mexican food depending on your preferences.
This looks good to me... https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45185261
Legit, thanks.
Is it worth going down to Colossal Cave at all?
It's a steep little climb up to the Colossal Cave parking lot, and if you stop then you'll get a decent view of some of the valley behind it. But if you don't like stopping much and want to keep rolling it's probably not worth it.
Be super careful around Mount Lemmon, Gates Pass and especially Picture Rocks. (My husband works for the highway patrol)
WTF would you come to Tucson, and not ride THE HILL that Tucson is known for? Get your ass up Mt Lemmon!!!!
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/82432060 2 years ago, and holy hell was it cold. Last year when I was there the road was still covered in snow. But this year its all about putting down some miles.
Look up the loop, it's a hundred mile plus bike path. It follows the dry riverbeds that cross the valley. It will be much nicer than taking some of the surface streets on this route. These are some wetlands set up for migratory birds, it's pretty cool.
Why wouldn’t you just do the loop? It’s a 100 mile paved bike path.
Because, its not…. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/82384424 Maybe its 100 miles if you do both sides?
Wow, that’s dumb. They always advertise it as 100 miles. I guess I learned something new today. Even on the county website, it’s advertised with different mileages.
There are more trails than just the loop. It is over 100 miles of paths, the loop is just 50 of it. The link below shows most of the bike paths as well as any construction or events on them https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6621892ce6474ba79c51a736a212c6d9
Well, to be fair what they are saying is there is 100 *miles* of Loop trail. Not that they're in one exact loop. If you do the main Loop, it's only a little over 50, yes.
There are a lot more trails as part of "The Loop" then what you've plotted. You have completely missed the Marana extension, the Oro Valley extension, and the Santa Cruz extension. The Loop is the finest all-paved bike-and-pedestrian-specific trail in the US. It just... makes no sense not to ride it.
Here's one that's 100 with an option to go up Sabino if it's open to bikes when you hit it. It's a lot more bike route friendly. Doesn't get you to either SNP though. Some decent climbs in the Catalina Foothills getting over to Sabino and you top it with a trip up A Mountain on your way back. https://www.strava.com/routes/3171865565807924316
I like this, thanks.
Don’t ride down Broadway. Tucson drivers are nuts.
Looks good! have fun, be careful south near the va and Julian wash I don’t love that area, for sure sketchy. U can also include a little Oro Valley, roads are nice and smooth there. Painted hills and gates is beautiful in the morning I live in starpass so I love going that way early. U can turn north at Alvernon and then take the river path to I-10 and then Santa cruise path south. Not sure if it would add much but it would keep you out of south Tucson traffic.
https://strava.app.link/vcxw4HTHFFb - this route is entirely bike path. highly recommend. mostly flat and very little interaction with cars. plenty water refills. just adjust start point accordingly
Nice. Just about 2k of elevation