Bike racing and training in Arizona in the winter and early spring.

Many top professional and amateur cyclist come to Arizona to train and race during the winter months because of the awesome weather and Arizona race calender. Arizona is one of the few states that starts it’s USCF bike race calendar in January. The calendar is packed with races every weekend during the winter and spring months.

There is a great 3 day stage race in February called Valley of the Sun. The race is loaded with top cyclist from all over the country. The fields usually fill up a couple of weeks prior to the event. So if you are thinking about coming to Arizona and racing the Valley of the Sun stage race enter early.

Click here for the Valley of the Sun event flyer: VOS event flyer

If you make it to Tucson, Arizona for some training rides the ‘Shoot Out’ is a must ride. Tucson has one of the best group rides in the country called the ‘Shoot Out’ according to Bicycling Magazine. The 60 mile loop cuts south from Tucson into desolate, mountainous desert toward Green Valley, Arizona almost to the Mexico boarder. During January, February and March the Shoot Out is loaded with professional cyclist from all over the world. The pack ranges from 100 to 175 fit riders. You can often see local pro riders like Phil Zajicek, Gord Fraser and Curtis Gunn gracing the peloton along with pro triathlete Jimmy Riccitello.

For a map and description of the Shoot Out click here: Map of the Shoot Out.

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