The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Tucson Sunshine and Saguaros Spring 2019

March 2nd to March 9th

Ride Director: Sharon Reed
Ride Co-Director: Mary Lou Engert
Report by: Cindy Schiff

A group of forty cyclists met at the Homewood Suites on March 2 for social hour. We were
given a detailed report of expectations and ride conditions by our tour leader Sharon Reed. It
would set the tone for an amazing week of riding through the beautiful Tucson area.

Some of the group chose to ride with Sharon each day, while others went off on their own to
explore different routes. The first day’s ride was on the paved loop out to Catalina State Park.
The second day we rode out to beautiful Agua Caliente park, where we sat and enjoyed the
water and ducks and a totally different environment from most of the dry desert of Tucson. On
our way to Agua Caliente we had to either wade or ride through three washouts on small roads
—funny considering we were in a desert environment. The third day was one of our collective
favorites, when we rode out to beautiful Saguaro East and rode the eight-mile loop through the
desert. If possible, it would have been perfect to also hike in the park, but we all enjoyed the
vistas and the rolling hills of the loop. Afterwards a group went to lunch at the charming
Saguaro East cafe. The pleasant outdoor seating area, good food and lovely company enabled
us to sit and relax over our meal. That’s part of what makes the BAC so great- a group of
strangers come together and begin to bond and enjoy each other’s company and form cohesive
social groups. It seems to happen very insidiously, and the next thing you know you feel as if
you are riding with close friends.

Day four was the day many had anticipated, and some cyclists chose to ride various distances
up Mt. Lemmon. The climb began as soon as we entered the Coronado National Forest. The
sustained climb was anywhere from 3-6% grade, although it did go up to 8% for short periods.
Sharon had chosen not to ride on Wednesday, so that she could bring drinks and snacks for
those who were riding. Sharon had warned us that the terrain would change dramatically as we
climbed, and what started off as the typical Tucson desert evolved at mile 4-5 into a more
Colorado-like appearance, with green trees, waterfalls, rock formations, and beautiful canyons
to ride through. Sharon and Lynn were located at mile 12, and they encouraged and fed both
the BAC cyclists and other non-affiliated riders as well who needed water. Many of the group
went up to the top, to the 22- and even the 29-mile points. Some turned back at 14 after
checking out the views at Windy Point.

On Thursday the group rode the 55-mile loop and saw a different part of Tucson from the
upscale and residential area where our hotel was located. We saw a garden of interesting
memorials located right on the bike path. We saw homes with farm animals in the yards. We
rode near the Air Force base, and marveled at fighters doing maneuvers right overhead. We
rode past a children’s park in South Tucson with mosaics. We all met at the local bike hangout
known as El Mercato, where we ate in a collective alfresco dining area for all of the eateries.
We saw the new Floyd’s of Leadville pro cycling team, which was spending time training in
Tucson. Dave Zabriskie is perhaps the most well-known of the cyclists, and a few of us chatted
and asked if we could pose for photos!

The final cycling day included a trip out to Sabino Canyon, which again had an issue with too
much water to take full advantage of the scenery, and the riders could only ride in about one to
two miles. Those who rode to Sabino Canyon were glad they did, in spite of the limitation, and
happy to eat at the beautiful Tohano Chula botanical garden.
The cycling was varied and there were opportunities to do many different rides throughout the
week. Every evening cyclists would discuss the rides they had done, the museums they had
visited, and the experiences that were making this such a special week. Adding to the
experience was the food prepared by Sharon for the social hours. Sharon took time to prepare
guacamole, hummus, veggie platters, and the well-received chocolate-covered strawberries.
Co-leader Mary Lou made sure to have a great assortment of wine, beer and soft drinks. The
hotel is in a perfect location, right on the bike path and near great restaurants and shopping.
The two meals out were great with a variety of offerings. I would not hesitate to recommend this
week-long ride as an opportunity to meet like-minded cyclists and ride some amazing routes.