5 Reasons Why Arizona Is A Cycling Paradise
Every year, world-class cyclists travel to Arizona from across the globe to train for their next races. Learn why they choose Arizona, and how you can experience the same things that bring them back year after year!
5. Natural Landscapes that Beckon
Few sights in Arizona are more beautiful than the mountain ranges surrounding Tucson, and The Loop offers a vantage point to see panoramic vistas of all of them. The Loop is an interconnected network of paved shared-use paths that runs for 137 miles around Pima County.
Parts of the path follow both the Santa Cruz and Rillito Rivers, which can transform from dry washes and small trickles to fast-flowing waterways in little time during monsoon season and the winter rains. They are definitely a mesmerizing sight for any cyclist who rides along its banks.
Within Marana, the Tortolita Mountains offer scenic vistas and several different trails for you to ride. These range from the relatively flat loops of the Tortolita Preserve, which let you enjoy a blast through desert foliage with a backdrop of mountain views. You can also take on the mountains themselves on the Tortolita Mountain Trail System, which offers 9 trails of varying lengths through the canyons and ridgelines for an exhilarating mountain biking experience. Both are highlighted by towering saguaros, prickly pears, ocotillos, and other desert vegetation (including wildflowers if you visit in the spring), interesting rock formations, and panoramic views of the valley below.
4. Hundreds of Miles of Car-Free Paths Across the State
If you prefer road cycling to mountain biking, Arizona’s got you covered with many miles of paved paths that provide the peace of mind of being car-free and physically separated from car traffic. In Southern Arizona, The Loop is a prime spot to escape traffic and enjoy a pleasurable ride on smooth, car-free pavement. The 137-mile circuit around Tucson is great for either a leisurely ride, or for commuting by bike, without having to worry about unpredictable drivers or red lights that can ruin your flow.
For those looking to venture farther afield, you can’t miss the chance to marvel at one of the Grand Canyon State’s engineering wonders: the Central Arizona Project. This 336-mile canal transports water from the banks of the Colorado all the way through Phoenix and on to Tucson, providing an essential lifeline for these desert cities. A multi-use path snakes along many segments of the canal, affording cyclists the chance to traverse long stretches of desert aside a glistening, life-giving waterway. Constructed in 1973, this project ended years of groundwater pumping that threatened the fragile ecology of the desert, and now it serves the dual role of conserving precious water resources and providing an unrivalled open space for desert travelers to enjoy.
3. Many Mountain Bike Trails from North to South
Road cyclists sure get a lot of attention, with El Tour de Tucson, the Tour de France, and the Tucson Bicycle Classic, but Arizona’s great for off-roaders as well!
Up in Northern Arizona, check out Red Rock country in Sedona, where you can practically summit a boulder on your bike, or venture out on the Aerie Trail for a rugged single-track trek along hillsides and a dry creek bed. Or, take a ride on the Arizona Trail (which runs the full length of State 48, from the Utah border down to the Mexican border) near Flagstaff, skirting the base of Humphreys Peak in a ski resort that transforms into a hiking and biking trail system in the spring, summer, and fall! The ponderosa pine forests and aspen groves aren’t to be missed!
And don’t worry, there’re plenty of places to get your mountain biking fix on in Southern Arizona as well! Check out the Starr Pass trail, on the southwest side of Tucson, that’s sure to amaze and excite even the most experienced off-road cyclists. It’s a challenging, winding, single-track trail nestled in Tucson Mountain Park, and it’ll be just you and the saguaros. Be sure to pack an extra tube!
Marana is also a short drive from both Catalina State Park and Oracle State Park, which both offer extensive, top-rated, mountain biking trails. Catalina State Park is home to the famous 50-Year Trail, that provides an adrenaline-packed adventure for intermediate cyclists, all with amazing views of Pusch Ridge, which to some, can make the place look like a mini-Yosemite. Oracle State Park features gently-rolling topography, with 13 trails to choose from, for all ability levels.
2. Bike Events Around the State
1. Perfect Weather All Year!
You knew it was coming. The rest of the country is probably sick of hearing about our awesome weather, but come on! In the winter, the thermometer still frequently shows a sunny and breezy 70 degrees! While the rest of America hunkers down for a long, cold winter, we get outdoors. A bike is the perfect way to enjoy Arizona’s far-flung natural beauty, from the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in the north to Arizona’s verdant wine country in the south.3
What’s that you say? Summer temps too hot? That just means it’s time for the high country. Phoenix and Tucson are the two biggest metropolitan areas in the state, and both enjoy the luxury of tall mountains just a short drive away. Climb the slopes of Mt. Lemmon near Tucson and enjoy mild summer temperatures. Rising above Phoenix is the quaint mountain community of Pinetop-Lakeside, which, given its name, features exactly what you’d expect: soaring pines and picturesque lakes.
With so much diversity, Arizona offers cycling opportunities for everyone, year-round. So what are you waiting for? Hop on your bike and start pedaling in AZ!
Marana: The Perfect Base Camp
Let’s face it, Arizona’s a big state. You just can’t ride along a river near Tucson on the same day that you explore the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and it can be hard to figure out where to start exploring this vast landscape. Fortunately, Marana's in the thick of it all, waiting to be the perfect launching point for your cycling dreams. Hop on the Santa Cruz River Shared-Use Path and connect directly to The Loop. Two mountain ranges cut through our backyard, offering mountain bike trails for every skill level. And if the weather’s too hot, no need to worry. That massive peak reaching into the clouds? That’s Mt. Lemmon, and its cool summit beckons.
When you’re finally ready to explore the rest of the state’s outstanding trails, Marana’s proximity to Interstate 10 will be your new best friend. (But really? Did you see it all? Even the wine country near Patagonia? I didn’t think so.) Hop on the highway and easily reach every corner of the state. Marana’s location means that it’s just close enough to Arizona’s major cities that you don’t have to spend hours in the car to get to your cycling destination, while also far enough that city traffic won’t bog you down.
Cycling in Arizona means exploring a landscape unlike any other. Honestly, I’m a little surprised you’ve read this far. What are you waiting for? Get on your bike and Discover Marana.
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