Tucson Sunshine and Saguaros Spring 2022

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW   

This very popular fixed-base ride will be offered again in 2022 beginning on Saturday, March 5 with a welcome gathering/social/map meeting at 5 p.m. and wraps up on the morning of Saturday, March 12 after breakfast.  This schedule will allow for 6 days of riding.  The trip is designed as an escape south to get a jump on some sunny and warm spring riding days!  The group will enjoy the wonderful Homewood Suites Hotel located in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains.  Tucson is an extraordinary cycling city with a top rating from the League of American Bicyclists and regularly noted as an outstanding riding destination by numerous cycling magazines and media outlets.  We offer more than 20 routes with most starting directly from the hotel, but also include choices with optional remote starts.

This tour has been led by multiple Ride Leaders, but will be our first time as the leaders.  We look forward to experiencing all that Tucson has to offer with you!  There will be a featured ride each day.  At the happy hour the day before, participants will be able to discuss ride choices, start times, and other details.  Although the focus at each happy hour will be  a longer daily proposed ride, all rides are optional and participants are welcome to choose whichever courses they want to ride, at their own speed and pace.  

RIDE RATING

Although this ride is rated 2B, there are many routes that can be chosen that are more or less than the ride rating.  Riders will be provided links to ridewithgps.com routes.  Many of the routes will be on dedicated 12-foot, smooth and paved bikeway in excellent condition.  Some of the routes include a substantial amount of cycling on urban streets with bike lanes and moderate traffic.  Tucson is a fantastic cycling city and drivers are generally bicycle-aware. 

We offer more than 20 routes, and two of the routes include 1/4 mile sections with grades of 10%.  Most routes start directly from the hotel, but also include choices with optional remote starts (for this reason, a car is recommended for the trip.)   These routes will include some of Tucson's greatest hits: 

• Catalina State Park

• Saguaro National Park West and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum:  ~50 miles with ~2000 ft. of climbing

• Saguaro National Park East with the 8-mile scenic loop:  ~50 miles with ~2000 ft. of climbing

• Mount Lemmon:   up to 70+ miles with 7000 ft. of climbing (water and snacks will be provided part way up the road)

• Agua Caliente Regional Park and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

For those riders who would like a day off the bike, there are several good museums and other attractions in Tucson. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is one of the best in the world for desert environment and is often visited as a part of the Saguaro West ride.  The Pima Air & Space Museum has an excellent selection of vintage and historic aircraft.  And there are various opportunities for hiking.  

WEATHER

The weather is usually very nice in early March in Tucson.  Expect daytime temperatures in the 70's-80's and nighttime temperatures in the low 50’s.  At this time of year, there is usually low humidity and dry conditions, but rain is a possibility and it can be windy.  

LODGING & MEALS

Lodging will be at the Homewood Suites in the beautiful St. Philip's Plaza in Tucson. The hotel was completely updated in recent years and is very nice.  All rooms are large, have a small kitchen and are in a suite configuration.  There is plenty of space to store your bike in your room and free self-parking is available at the hotel.  The ride is planned for seven nights of lodging, and the hotel provides a continental breakfast.  We will enjoy two off-site group dinners at area restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.  Please contact the ride leader to discuss any specific strict food requirements before requesting to join the tour.  Because of the large size of our group for the group dinners, we are limited in our entree choices.  Arrangements can be made to come early or stay later at our group rate at the hotel.

LOGISTICS

Arizona Stagecoach van service and taxis are available between the Tucson airport and the hotel.  Some participants have found flights to Phoenix with a rental car more economical.  A car is recommended for the trip as you may opt to start a few rides remotely, or want to venture out and visit some of the various attractions in Tucson.  There are several good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.  There are a number of local bike shops, if you choose to use a rental in lieu of bringing your own.  Arrangements for rental bikes are between the member and the bike rental business.  No motorized vehicles or devices are allowed on the Loop, so E-bikes are NOT permitted on this ride.  

COST & ADMINISTRATION

The estimated cost of this bike tour is $1200.  This cost includes seven nights lodging, two group dinners, seven breakfasts, and seven social hours with snacks and beverages. The deposit is $700 and final payment of $500 is due no later than November 1, 2021.  Any riders that register after November 1 will need to pay the full tour amount.   

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own.  However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until August 1, 2021 to find a roommate.  If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $700 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY 

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of ride payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY  

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using a well-maintained bicycle.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and consider additional travel medical coverage.  BAC maintains a policy that provides limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by USA residents when on tours within the USA.  The policy does not cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If traveling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

If we still have a Covid 19 risk, we will follow all the necessary rules, and change activities as needed to remain Covid compliant, and can keep the tour as safe as possible.  We will invite participants to a Zoom meeting approximately 45 days prior to the tour start date to finalize our COVID protocols. You may be asked to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public according to the state's mandate.

SIGN-UP  

To register for this ride use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit ($700) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. The final payment of $500 will be due November 1, 2021. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Leader by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description, or preferably calling Jerry at 715-330-4646, or emailing at porterbicycle@gmail.com.