vacationbicycling

Cycling through the desert on a bike tour through the Arizona Sonoran Desert  is an amazing experience. Before you even see your first mirage, you will take in the two visually dominant life forms of plants specifically found in the Sonoran Desert: legume trees and columnar cacti from behind your handle bars. The sites are beautiful and although you are not climbing mountains, you are taking in all the mountains surrounding you. It is a beautiful landscape and to see it is spectacular. You will remember the sights for years.

Check into The Lodge on the Desert, which was newly renovated in 2009 and was originally built in 1936. Guest rooms in the resort are in adobe buildings that fit perfectly into Southwestern architecture. Explore Tucson, Arizona, one of the most bike friendly large cities in the U.S. with designated bicycling streets and numerous bike routes. Tucson is surrounded by saguaro (cacti) forests and mountain peaks with the excitement and amenities of a thriving city. Enjoy unique Southwestern cuisine, arts and shops. Meet around 6:00 pm for the welcome dinner. 

• Avocado Chicken  - Pan seared chicken breast, avocado, lime, white wine cilantro, red rice and seasonal vegetables.
• Grilled Dorado (Mahi Mahi) - Citrus glazed pico de gallo, red rice and seasonal vegetables.
• Carne Asada - OPG spiced prime steak, garlic butter, red rice, refried beans, hatch green chile mac and cheese, jacama slaw, salsa, guacalome, sour cream and flour tortillas.
• Grande Quesadilla - Arizona pecans and vegetables, monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, black bean salsa, cilantro and roasted tomatoes, green onions, salsa and cilantro sour cream.

Day 2, Sunday

Bicycle away from Tucson, heading south to Green Valley.  Take a dedicated bicycling route through Tucson, including road-signals that are only activated by bicyclists. Make a stop at the Mission San Xavier del Bac, known as the White Dove of the Desert, which can be viewed for miles before arrival.  The church was originally built in 1783 and has never been completed though it has been in continuous operations. Continue riding south and view the mountains and what appear to be mountains, but are actually two huge copper mines. After arriving in Green Valley, take an optional ride to Madera Canyon to observe birds that cannot be viewed elsewhere in North America. [39 (or 71) Miles]

Day 3, Monday

Head further south to Rio Rico, enjoying the desert views always with mountains in the distance.  Take a stop at Tubac, which was established in 1752 as a Spanish presidio. Working artists with art galleries, working studios and gift shops now surround the area that once served as the home for a Spanish military garrison.  Take a stop at Tumacacori National Historic park, which was the first Anglo settlement in what is today Arizona. [35 mile]

Breakfast:
Continental breakfast and coffee provided by the Green Valley Inn.

• New York Strip Steak  - Grilled and topped with specialty-made Amaretto Demi Glace. 
• Chicken Relleno - Panko breaded chicken breast stuffed with Jack Cheese with roasted green chiles and mushrooms.
• Camarones Rancheros - Butterflied shrimp in Ranchero style salsa
• Lemon Butter Sole - Softly baked Sole topped with a lemon butter sauce with capers
• Classic Caesar Salad & Tortilla Soup - Hearts of Romaine tossed in creamy Caesar dressing with herbed croutons and Roasted chilies with pinto beans, corn, onions and herbs with fried corn tortillas, Monterary Jack Cheese and Avocado soup.

Ride to Sonoita, stopping first at the laid-back and bird watching town of Patagonia. Have a bite to eat at the Gathering Grounds, a delicious deli and coffee shop.  Visit this part of Arizona with land that is virtually undiscovered and unbelievably beautiful.  The climate is mild with lots of abundant sunshine and the terrain is high desert prairie grassland surrounded by magnificent mountains.  Take time to visit the bird sanctuary or ride onto Sonoita and visit one of the local wineries located outside of town.  [35 (or 57) mile]

Day 5, Wednesday

From Sonoita, enjoy solitude as we make our way back to bustling and bike friendly Tucson.  Ride all day with mountain views.  When entering Tucson visit the eastern side of the Saguaro National Park.  Take in the beautiful scenery.  Enjoy the amenities of the hotel at the hot tub or pool. [31 (or 57 miles]

Tucson, Arizona

menu selection:

Day 6, Thursday

After eating breakfast, leave with the group for the Saguaro desert. Leaving Tucson, we transition into the unique beauty of the desert with mountains in the background.  After seeing the valley filled with Saguaro Cacti, continue on to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  Take optional stops to go through the museum, featuring live desert animals or at the Old Tucson Studios, where many John Wayne and Clint Eastwood’s films were filmed.  We ride our way back into Tucson to the Lodge on the Desert before we all meet for our farewell dinner.  [32 (or 44) miles]

 

Day 7, Friday

Wake up in Tucson and ride on your own through the city or enjoy the pool before heading home. Breakfast on your own.

Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.

Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have a very enjoyable trip. The Arizona desert has some hills with approximately 500 feet of climbing each day. The longest day from Sonoita into Tucson has a downhill grade almost the entire route.  All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast.  If a rider is tired or feels like riding less on any day, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the hotel.

Arriving by automobile:
Drive to the Lodge on the Desert, 306 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona, leaving your car at the hotel for the duration of the trip.

Arriving by Plane:
You can fly directly into Tucson International Airport.  You can then take a shuttle or taxi to the start hotel.  Or the city bus service, SunTran.com, can be picked up adjacent to the airport and within walking distance to the start hotel.

Deposit:
$200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
 

What's included:

• Hotel lodging
• Ride packets including maps and cue sheets (directions)
• Fully sagged including ride leaders, luggage transport, van transportation and rider assistance.
• Breakfast most mornings (see above)
• Dinner most nights (see above)
• Fun and Enjoyment

Bicycles:

• Most riders bring their own bicycles.
• To ship your bike: we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping.
• To rent a bicycle or to ship your bike and have it assembled for you:  please contact Roadrunner Bicycles in Tucson (520)790-9394.

Weather in March in the Tucson area:   

• Average High 74°F 
  
• Average Low 48°F

Contact Information:
Vacation Bicycling, LLC
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd, Suite 103-514
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: 706-363-0341 or 800-490-2173

Or email your question to our short Contact Form