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ROAD BIKING, TUCSON, Arizona – Arizona enjoys many of the USA’s top cycling climbs, but professional cyclists and amatures flock to Tucson for cooler temperatures, less traffic and some of the most challenging climbs. Tucson’s top road biking climbs include Mount Lemmon, Mount Graham, Madera Canyon, Kitt Peak, Whipple Observatory (cyclocross bike needed) and the eight mile paved bike ride up Hokpins.
Best Arizona Cycling Routes and
Road Bike Rides with maps:
#1
Arizona’s Premier Cycling Climb
Road Biking Mount Lemmon Description: Perhaps the greatest ride in America, Tucson’s Mount Lemmon is hands down the greatest climb – and the greatest road bike ride – in Arizona. Park your car in the Madera Village parking lot in front of Le Buzz, coffee up and you will be ready to for the cycling ride of your life. We love this ride for the safety and clean road.
The ride starts gentle, and gradually gets steeper. Mount Lemmon makes for an epic day. The descent is one of the greatest you will ever enjoy.
Mount Lemmon Cycling Climb – “At a Glance”
- Distance: 56.58 miles
- Location: Tucson
- Climbs: HC, two 5s
- Elevation Gain: 5,961 feet
- Top out Elevation: 8,206 feet
- No water on the way up
- Why you love it: “Mt. Lemmon is Arizona’s quintessential ride for a lot of reasons,” said Lynn Orchard, Tucson resident and rider for Tolero Racing. “It’s a hors categorie climb that provides a rare combination of sustained climbing, excellent road surface, spectacular vistas, and importantly, an escape from the 100+ summer temps in Tucson. One of the best parts of Lemmon is that it a world class climb right in our backyard. Its an easy ride to the base from anywhere in town. If you are so inclined you can ride Lemmon every day. You can make a quick trip to Molino Basin before work, or you can grind up to Windy Point after work to catch the sunset.”
#2
Cycling Mount Graham:
Arizona’s Most Difficult Road Biking Ride
Description: Just 90 minutes from Tucson, this road bike ride takes cyclists up one of the highest mountains in the state. From the desert floor to the mountain’s peak, this ride is challenge with nearly 8,000 feet of climbing. Cyclists laud this ride for safety as traffic is very sparse.
- Distance: 39.72 miles
- Location: Safford
- Climbs: HC, 1, 3
- Elevation Gain: 7,947 feet
- Top out Elevation: 9,637 feet
- NO water on the way up
- Why you love it: “It’s the whole experience that makes it special,” said Rick Waits, Tucson resident. “The difficulty, the switchbacks, the trees, etc. It lets you imagine that’s what it’s like to do the big climbs in the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees that most of us only see on TV. There’s a reason that’s the state championship hill climb, and I don’t think anyone that has ridden it could think of a better place to fight for a polka-dot jersey.”
#3
Road Biking Mingus Mountain Loop – “At a Glance”
Description: This route provides cyclists with a challenge and a view. While making a variety of climbs, a few easy and some difficult, cyclists are provided with a fantastic view of Verde Valley, which looks especially beautiful during the month of October.
- Distance: 91.39 miles
- Location: Cottonwood
- Climbs: 1, 4, three 5s
- Elevation Gain: 5,788 feet
- Top out Elevation: 7,053 feet
#4
Description: This route can be as long or as short as a rider chooses to make it, as there are various pit stops along the way. The bulk of the course takes cyclists through the Superstition Mountains providing cyclists with breathtaking scenery.
- Distance: 90.33 miles
- Location: East Mesa
- Climbs: 1, two 3s, two 5s
- Elevation Gain: 4,628 feet
- Top out Elevation: 2,839 feet
- Why you love it: “Once you hit the ramps into Canyon Lake it really feels like you’re in a different world,” said Jake Spelman, five-year cyclist and Gilbert resident riding for Athlete Octane. “Living in Gilbert, it’s great to know that there’s real climbs and descents not too far away.”
#5
- Distance: 108.07 miles
- Location: Kitt Peak
- Climbs: 1
- Elevation Gain: 4,942 feet
- Top out Elevation: 6,812 feet
#6
- Distance: 76.68 miles
- Location: Scottsdale
- Climbs: Two 2s, two 4s, three 5s
- Elevation Gain: 4,967 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,592 feet
- Why you love it: “My favorite group ride in the Valley is BOS and I like to ride out to Seven Springs as part of that ride,” said Sally Aston, a five-year cyclist and rider for Bicycle Haus who lives in Goodyear. “It’s a fun out-and-back that adds some miles. I’ve only done the ride out to Bartlett Lake once and I loved it because it’s hilly and pretty. I love climbing!”
#7
- Distance: 8.07 miles
- Location: Tucson
- Climbs: 5
- Elevation Gain: 323 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,227 feet
- Why you love it: “At Saguaro East National Park you are surrounded by saguaros and incredible views all the way around the eight-mile loop,” said Dan Gabalski, a 20-year bike enthusiast and ex-resident of Tucson, currently living in Flagstaff. “The loop is one way and the terrain is perfect for riding. [It has] rollers, a steady climb, fast descents and lots of curves. Sunset rides are absolutely amazing with the views over the Tucson lights and all this for a $25 yearly pass. I love it so much I’ve donated extra money there many times.”
#8
- Distance: 69.3 miles
- Location: Mesa
- Climbs: 3
- Elevation Gain: 2,059 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,227 feet
- Why you love it: “I liked the scenery,” said Alexis Gannis, rider for Curbside Cyclery and Grand Canyon University who took third in the most recent El Tour de Mesa. “Tonto National Forest and Saguaro Lake are so beautiful. It makes suffering and hammering it up Beeline, Bush Hwy and Usery so much more enjoyable. [It] gives me something else to focus on rather then listening to my legs telling me to stop! In general, it’s a great route. It’s also very safe [and there isn’t] much traffic.”
#9
- Distance: 67.28 miles
- Location: Scottsdale, Fountain Hills
- Climbs: Two 4s, two 5s
- Elevation Gain: 2,476 feet
- Top out Elevation: 2,718 feet
- Why you love it: “The Tour de Scottsdale route offers everything – beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery, challenging hills and an exhilarating nine-mile descent. Riding a course through saguaros, cholla and ocotillos is a uniquely Arizona experience, and that’s what makes it so special,” said Michael Murphy, a three-time Tour de Scottsdale participant and 10-year cyclist.
#10
- Distance: 93.53 miles
- Location: Tucson
- Climbs: 2, 3, 4
- Elevation Gain: 3,156 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,235 feet
- Why you love it: “The Gates Pass route is one of my favorites,” said Marilyn McDonald, who has been riding since 1999, competing all over the world from state, to World Cup, to the USAC national racing calendar. “One of my favorite sessions is repeats up the backside of Gates. It’s not a very long climb, but it challenges you with different grades and maxing out on the top. Once you are up there the view is one of the best. [It is] challenging but beautiful and painful, but not so long you hate it. It’s a great climb for any cyclist to see.”
#11
- Distance: 39.38 miles
- Location: Flagstaff
- Climbs: 1, 5
- Elevation Gain: 2,604 feet
- Top out Elevation: 9,541 feet
- Why you love it: “I love Snowbowl because of the views from the summit and the crisp cool air,” said Kyle Gandy, two-year cyclist riding for DNA Cycles Racing and Northern Arizona University. “The altitude makes the workout worth the suffering.”
#12
- Distance: 59.65 miles
- Location: Tucson
- Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,556 feet
- Why you love it: “The Shootout is great because of the route, the cyclists, the challenge, and that it continues year round,” said Ben Ferguson, Tucson cyclist and rider for Tri-Sports/Eclipse racing team. “I have many friends that ride it regularly – just wish I could join them more often!”
#13
- Distance: 66.76 miles
- Location: Phoenix
- Climbs: 2, 4
- Elevation Gain: 2,116 feet
- Top out Elevation: 2,564 feet
- Why you love it: “I love it because I feel safe riding,” said Alex Argueta, five year cyclist from Tempe who rides for fun. riding for fun. “Toward San Juan Road it’s a nice warm up and then an amazing climb to the towers. [It’s a] great route for intense training if you don’t have much time to train.”
#14
- Distance: 55.73 miles
- Location: Hillside
- Climbs: 2, two 3s
- Elevation Gain: 3,271 feet
- Top out Elevation: 4,027 feet
#15
- Distance: 8.89 Miles
- Location: Tucson
- Climbs: 5
- Elevation Gain: 368 feet
- Top out Elevation: 3,572 feet
#16
- Distance: 28.83 miles
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Climbs: Two 5s
- Elevation Gain: 717 feet
- Top out Elevation: 1,969 feet
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Best Tucson Road/Cycling In Oro Valley/Tucson by BikeArizona.org
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