Southern Arizona, Beyond Tucson

This Ride has been Cancelled

† 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

Ride Description

The Southern Arizona Beyond Tucson tour starts and ends in Tucson, Arizona.

After our first day riding in the Tucson area, we head south and east, exploring canyons, creeks, and wildlife preserves where birds abound. We will ride through historic towns skirting the Mexican border, and visit missions, national monuments, and optionally an amazing cavern.  This ~340 mile, 12 day tour provides some lightly travelled roads, variety in scenery, and a chance to escape the late winter gloom and find the sun in Arizona.  The tour includes lodging for 12 nights, 9 breakfasts, 3 dinners, and evening social hours.

Some of the highlights of the tour include:

Tucson – The Tucson Loop Trail is a great resource in Tucson for biking, running/walking, commuting, etc. You can literally take it all the way around Tucson and the terrain and scenery around you changes as you go. Bernice and I will be leading a 32-mile ride on the loop.  Another optional ride heads out of town to the Desert Museum and the Saguaro West National Park.

Tubac – Tubac is a  town where art and history meet and is full of great shops, restaurants, and galleries. Tubac was a Spanish settlement established in 1752 and it preserves its historic appeal in Presidio State Park in town and the nearby mission at Tumacacori National Historical Park. While in Tubac you can take advantage of the local shopping, immerse yourself in history, or get in some additional riding in the back country.  We will be staying at the Tubac Golf resort.

Bisbee – Bisbee is a historic mining town nestled into the mountain side. On our rest day there, stroll through the outstanding mining museum, visit the Bisbee Bicycle Bordello, take a tour of the Queen Mine, wander the streets and shops, and catch open mike night at St. Elmo’s, the oldest bar in Arizona.

Your lodging is in a suite hotel, each two-bedroom unit sharing a living room and full kitchen.  You will have access to free on-site laundry facilities at the motel.

We have a couple of optional rides that bring you right to the border. Bring your passport if you want to go into Mexico. (Conditions change, the tour leader will check current requirements just before the tour).

Tombstone -The “Town too tough to Die”, is a must see for anyone fascinated by the old West.  Our short day of riding allows you time to explore the town. Even if you skip the gunfight show, you can enjoy the renovated Victorian structures that help keep history alive in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Arizona. Our lodging will be at the Tombstone Grand Hotel.

Sonoita Eglin Wineries – On our optional riding day in Sonoita you can visit some of the local wineries, enjoy the Arizona hill country on quiet country roads or perhaps visit Kartchner Caverns. A representative from Sonoita Winery will present a wine tasting at our happy hour. Our lodging will be at the Sonoita Inn.

COVID Requirements –

·         All participants must be up to date with their Covid-19 vaccinations. Up to date means that you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you. Be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by Ride Leader if requested.

·         Participants must be willing to take a Covid rapid test on the second day of the tour

·         The first group meal will be on the second day of the tour.

·         Anyone that has symptoms prior to joining or during a tour needs to take a test at the time symptoms appear and daily for at least 3-5 days thereafter. During that entire time, they should stay distant from the group and wear face coverings.

·         As long as a person displays symptoms, even if they test negative, they and their roommate should continue to test per CDC guidelines, wear masks (N95 masks are recommended) and maintain social distance.

·         If a person tests positive and feels well enough to ride, they and their roommate may continue with the tour (with ride leader approval) if they can isolate per CDC guidelines.

Ride Rating: – The overall tour is rated 2B, with 8 required riding days. Two of the required riding days are 56 miles, both rated 1C.  There are two days with 2000 feet of elevation gain. The ride from Bisbee to Tombstone is short, 25 miles, with only 1465 feet of climbing, but almost all of the climbing is done in the first three miles after leaving the hotel. The grade will hit 10% for a short while on the way to the to of Mule Pass.  Riders have the choice of going over Mule Pass or riding in a highway tunnel. A Front light, rear light and safety triangle are suggested.

Road Conditions - This tour includes everything from dedicated trails, back roads, two-lane Arizona highways, and an unavoidable one mile stretch of freeway shoulder. Some of the Arizona highways are chip seal and have rumble strips. There are cattle guards on the Tucson Loop Trail. Cycling in and around Tucson may require riding for a short time on a busy highway.  Please be comfortable riding at times in busy traffic areas.

Cattleguards – There are cattleguards on this tour. Always cross the cattleguard at right angles.

Identification - Please have a government issued picture ID, such as a driver’s license or passport in your possession at all times. You will be riding close to the US/Mexico border on several days and you will encounter US Border Checkpoints. Bring your passport if you want to go into Mexico. (Conditions change, the tour leader will check current requirements just before the tour).

There will not be sag service except for emergencies. We will be renting a van to transport luggage which has limited storage and passenger space. We request that each rider please limit their luggage to one small suitcase/duffel (25 lb. max) and a small backpack.

The tour leaders will discuss each day’s route at the previous social hour. If you miss the social hour, it is your responsibility to check with the tour leaders for route conditions and any updates.

Cue sheets, maps, GPS files:

RideWithGPS routes will be provided to riders a month before the tour start.

RideWithGPS files provide gpx tracks which can be downloaded to your Garmin or to a smart phone with the RideWithGPS app. You can also print out cue sheets from the RideWithGPS files if you wish.

Weather:

Desert conditions – March in southern Arizona is generally warm and dry, but we have seen cool temps as well as occasional rain in the past.  Expect daytime temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Arizona in springtime can be windy.

This is a desert; it can be hot even in March. Carry the essentials; plenty of water, food, sunscreen, tools, and patch kit on your bicycle. There can be long distances between sources of water, food or shelter.

Watch for the infrequent rattlesnake on the bike trail. Cell coverage can be spotty or non-existent.

Lodging & Meals:

The tour includes 9 breakfasts, 3 dinners, and evening social hours.  Lodging will feature a combination of modern chain hotels (Marriott Fairfield, Hampton Inn), local classic inns and two nights at the Tubac Golf Resort.

Logistics:

 The tour starts with Social Hour on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 5:30 pm and ends with check-out on Thursday, March 30, 2023. The Tucson Airport is currently served by airlines including: Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, Sun Country, United. This information is subject to change at any time due to Covid 19. The hotel does not offer an airport shuttle, they suggest calling Uber, Lyft or a cab.

Information on bike rentals will be made available to those interested in renting; there are several bike rental options in the area.  RC Bicycle, located near the hotel offers bicycles for rent. Their number is 520-624-1185. All participants renting bikes will need to arrange and pay for their own bike rentals.

Tandems and e-bikes are welcome. Please let the Tour Leader if you are going to bring tandems or e-bikes.

Our starting and ending hotel charges $16 per day for parking. Please contact the tour leader who will help you make arrangements for bike box storage. Should you decide to come early or stay late, please check with the hotel for room availability.  These charges will be at the rider's own expense.

Cost & Administration:

Tour cost of $ 2,700 per person (exclusive of the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee) covers base hotel costs (double occupancy), three dinners, nine breakfasts, and evening Social Hours Hours, and the cargo luggage van.

RideWithGPS files will be furnished.

Tour cost excludes alcohol (except at Social Hours), entry charges to local attractions, entry charges to any national parks or monuments (if you do not have / are unable to share a National Park pass), hotel parking charges, breakfasts in Bisbee and other incidentals. Admission to the Titan Missile Museum and Kartchner Caverns are NOT included in the tour cost.

An initial deposit of $1,200 (excluding the non-refundable BAC registration fees of $50) is required upon ride acceptance. The second and final payment of $1,500 is due December 1, 2022. The cost for a solo supplement is $1,160.

Singles & Solos Policy: - It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. The tour leaders will provide a list of participants to facilitate contacts with potential roommates but riders should not expect the tour leaders to match roommates. After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until December 1, 2022 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 Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1,160 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. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by December 7, 2022. 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 Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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 well-maintained bicycles. 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 the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Travel Insurance Advisory: Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses in excess of $1,000. related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

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 terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee and Tour Deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.