Enjoy a wintertime retreat to America’s Southwestern prize – Tucson. Rated as America’s second best bike friendly city, it’s been described as “a dream landscape for a cyclist worth his or her electrolytes.” Since Arizona gained statehood 106-years ago, five different flags have flown over Tucson. But given the cities’ long and firm embrace of biking in its city and recreational planning, with a blossoming number of cyclotouristes, it might not be long before the white International Cycling Union flag becomes number six!
That dreamscape starts with the year-round enjoyable winter climate. Then the tire meets the endless back-roads on vast expanses of wide-open desert. Looming above the desert landscape, cyclists savor some world-class ascents: Mount Lemmon, at 9,157-feet, represents the high point in the Santa Catalina range on the cities’ northern edge. Broad in the shoulders (for enhanced safety-passing) with curves for excitement, Lemmon’s 7000-ft of elevation gain features dramatic otherworldly rock formations and breathtaking views. Since our tour is fully supported, choose to shuttle half way up (or to the top if you like) and simply enjoy the descent.
Our tour de Tucson builds out with stages in Saguaro National Park, on gorgeous loops through the 95,000-acre wilderness. At the Tumacacori National Historic site, we glide into the Long Ago: a beautifully preserved 17th century adobe mission set atop a high, golden plain. Another stage takes us through glorious tall grass prairie and rolling hills in and around Sonoita. Here we visualize old Tucson, and what’s known as Arizona’s Mountain Empire: the Santa Rita, Whetstone, Huachuca and Patagonia ranges. Besides the great stands of Saguaro cacti, the rich and diverse habitat of Javelina and Roadrunner, we course through the neighborhood of “El Jefe”. He’s a Tucson celebrity and one of the last remaining non-captive jaguars roaming the wild.
By virtue of Tucson’s progressive light pollution codes, fantastic stargazing lights up our evenings. Likewise, each meal here gets across the board- five stars.
Day 1: Meet in Tucson: a city of gastronomy and a year-round outdoor playground. After an authentic Mexican meal, we carve into a local favorite: the Tucson Loop. This loop a network of shared-use paths in metropolitan area
Day 2: On Gates Pass, at 3172-ft, we pedal one of the most scenic rides in The West. On Tucson’s west end, we wind it on a narrow road, through rich High Desert environs; Saguaros standing watch on the steep hillsides. Closing out at Tucson’s Mountain Park, we stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, an innovative presentation of flora and fauna in region-specific ecological exhibits.
Day 3: We ride the high-altitude grasslands around Sonoita, Arizona’s wine country. Drinking in the crisp air at 5,000-ft., we follow the scenic road around “vineyard alley”. Continue to Patagonia Lake and the village of Patagonia: a one time mining/railroad hub turned arts-crafts and superb coffee habitué. On riverside roads, we revel in magnificent High Desert scenery: adobe houses mixed in with gracious, Old Spanish style ranches. Next: a drop into the Spanish mission of Tumacácori, now a National Historic Monument. At the adjacent village of Tubac, we decompress amidst a former Spanish fort turned vibrant arts colony.
Day 4: The following day we meet the challenge: the 30-mile Mount Lemmon route, the very centerpiece of our tour de Tucson, if not a route beyond categorization. Here we cycle up what biologists call a “sky island”: by turns isolated and richly diverse mountaintop habitat.
Day 5: More of the same world-class/signature rides. From a warm-up ride on the Old Spanish Trail, we merge onto Pistol Hill. A signature Southern Arizona ride, Pistol Hill offers 40-miles of bike dedicated lane—with scant motorized traffic—through Saguaro National Park/East. Expect upwards of 1600-ft of climbing, an equal amount of descent just beyond the reach of long-armed Saguaro cactus, (which grow nowhere else on Earth). Closing out a magnificent adventure, we shuttle back to our hotel and then to the airport.
Escape Adventures
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.
With much gratitude, and happy trails,
Jared and Heather Fisher
Founders and Owner-Operators
Escape Adventures
Look Ma, no hands! Stay connected and safe with this “game-changer” mobile accessory. The Wraptor gives you full screen visibility and holds your phone safe and securely, even over rough terrain. It’s designed to quickly attach and detach from the bar, and the base rotates between landscape and portrait mode with ease. It’s a must-have if you want to spend less time fiddling with your device and more time pedaling your bike.
It’s lit! When it comes to bike safety, illumination is key. Even when you are on the road in the daytime, you need to be seen from all directions. So we’ve teamed up with NiteRider to offer the best daytime lighting for your ride. Each road bike is equipped with a headlight and a taillight with the proper lumen output and run time to keep you safe from every angle.
