dannwilliams

I made it out to Tucson again. Last year i didn’t ride but I am this year. Rented a road bike and will get in 2, maybe 3 rides before returning it. It is a size smaller than my bike at home in WI, so the seat is above the bars instead of even. Did 2 hours in “The Loop” yesterday and my back is sore. Some ibuprofen today and I should be good to go. Pistol Hill was recommended by the bike shop. Gonna be another 80 degree day! Let’s Ride!

jppe

Enjoy! I enjoy riding in Tucson. I wish we had those temps!

We love Guadalajara Mex Restaurant on Prince Ave if you get the urge. Salsa made fresh table side.

CrankyFranky

You're a lucky man! 35 degrees here!

dannwilliams

Did that! Went to the Kolb Rd location. Great food!

Wileyrat

Raining a bit here this morning, still in the mid 60's at 9:30. I'm thinking about going out in an hour or so for a short 24 miles.

dannwilliams

Returned the bike today. I could have used a size bigger, my back can’t handle seat being so high above the bars. I did the route recommended at Broadway Bikes, from Saguaro East up and over Pistol Hill, then back and thru the park. Over 30 miles with almost 2000’ of elevation gain. That being day 2 of the 2 day rental and my back saying enough I am happy. Next year I think I’ll ship my bike down with bikeflights.com. Then I’ll have a bike that fits for a whole week and can get in all the riding I want. Go back home first thing Tuesday morning.

Cougrrcj

PM sent.

Bob Ross

That's a great loop. I've been visiting Tucson at least once a year to cycle for the past decade, and always make it a point to ride in Saguaro National Park East. Funnily, I only just discovered Pistol Hill last year; whenever I used to ride out on Old Spanish Trail I would pass by Pistol Hill obliviously and continue to Colossal Cave, then turn around and ride back on Old Spanish Trail. Kinda boring, and always subject to headwinds in at least one direction. Pistol Hill really breaks that up nicely, plus adds that sweet descent into Loma Alta.

Did you rent the bike from Broadway Bicycles? If you don't want to bring your own next time, you might want to give Cycle Tucson a try. They have a good selection of different sized bikes plus they'll do whatever they have to (swapping stems or saddles etc) to get something to fit.

bogydave

I think a big part is to bring your own saddle & pedals
& maybe an adjustable stem too.

But yea,
Nothing is gonna beat having your bike

RVwriter

Dann, before you got to Tucson next year, if you'll send me an e-mail, I'll give you the phone number & e-mail of my biking buddy who goes to that area every year and ends up not riding because he doesn't like to do it alone. He's same age I am, 79. Like me, he's lost some of his speed over last couple of years. Like you, he rents a bike, but I don't think he knows about bikeflights.com. I'll clue him in. His name is Paul, and he's a retired clergyman (don't let that put you off 'cause he can out-cuss you if he wants!). My email is rvwriter@msn.com. Name Don.

ModeratedUser150120149

Before paying a freight company to transport your bike to your vacation destination check with your airline.

My favorite airline, Alaska Air, considers a bike in a purpose built container luggage. That means it costs the same as a suitcase. In many cases that means Free.

Maybe other airlines do the same.

dannwilliams

I know it never hurts to check. The one time I took it in the plane cost me $80 or $100 each way! That’s why I started renting. Only 2 airlines fly directly to Tucson from Minneapolis.

Hondo Gravel

Just got back from Sedona AZ and driving through Tucson was fun with 50mph gusts. They shut down I10 outside of Tucson and traffic was diverted via the scenic route through AZ to New Mexico then back to I10. Dust was so thick it was a smart move to close that section of the interstate.

rutan74

Lucky stiff...I/we are thinking of retiring somewhere in Az. Wife hates the cold with a passion and Tucson seems like it is nice and hot. Not to mention that it fits the bill as a cycling mecca which is what I am looking for.

Maybe next year I will get out there to do El Tour de Tucson in November. This year looks like I will have to stay in the East an maybe do the Horrible Hundred in Florida in November. Tucson is on the short list though.

john

zonatandem

Nice stories about Tucson area riding!
Have lived in the area for 40 years . . . at ages 85 and 83 we still ride our tandem about twice a week and I ride my racing bike another 4 or 5 days a week.
What's not to like?!

bent4me

We are first timers in Tucson for 2 weeks now. I spent the first week Mt Biking and this week riding The Loop. It truly is a cycling Mecca. Looking to Winter here next year.

Hondo Gravel

I just checked out The Loop (Tucson) now it is on the list for some winter riding.

Brian25

I lived in Tucson for six years. (Yea I know about Mt Lemon, I rode it hundreds of times) I did not make friends there and it ends up being too hot there in the summer for me. After a lot of exploring, I ended up moving to the smaller, slightly cooler town of Globe. While Globe does not have the cycling culture like Tucson does, in my opinion the cycling opportunities are actually much greater. For openers, there is the 188 which starts out like an abandoned runway with ridiculously wide shoulders and very little traffic. There is also the 60 which heads out to Show Low. There is also the 70 and 77 which take you out of town. Mountain biking is fantastic with the Pinal mountains towering over the town. Did I mention that housing is cheap here?

rutan74

Thanks for the tip. Tucson is like a marker. I can live in another smaller city/town without a problem, and yes, we'd like to save some money too.

We both like hot weather so we are not all that scared about the heat. We just need to find a nice community and nice house that would fit our budget. Ohh, and of course it has to be bike friendly.

john