Mt Lemmon Bike Ride, Tucson, AZ
http://www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/mt_lemmon_/117
Cycling up the Mt Lemmon Hwy in Tucson, Arizona is an epic ride and will rival some of the best rides across the country.
You start off at about 2,557 ft surrounded by saguaro cactus and mesquite trees and climb as high as 8,198 ft to pine tree vegetation and cool air.
The road is in great shape with a bike lane for most of the ride. On the way down there is no need for a bike lane because you will be keeping up with traffic.
If you love to climb and descend this is the ride for you!
Lance Armstrong in his winter training months in preparation for Tour De France rented a cabin on the top of Mt Lemmon and would climb up the mountain to top of a long days ride. I know because I saw him on more than one occasion and even got the chance to talk to him.
To add 2.89 miles and 760 ft of climbing to the ride you can climb up to the Mt Lemmon Ski area. Just before Summerhaven toward the top of the ride turn right on Ski Run Rd.
As always Ride Strong!
Above is a sign at the base of Mt Lemmon showing the distances to the top.
Picuture above is taken from Wendy Pont looking down at the Mt Lemmon road. Below you can see the 7 Cat look out point.
Another picture of the Mt Lemmon hwy taken just before the Windy Point look out.
For a book on the best bike rides in Tucson, AZ which features the climb up Mt Lemmon click here.
http://www.roadbikerides.com/ride/view/mt_lemmon_/117
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January 16th, 2008 at 1:25 am
This route looks perfect. I went to Tucson for business trip some time ago but I did not go cycling, but I wish I could go back with my bike. I just wonder how is mountain biking in Tucson? My collegue told me that there are some rad places to ride and people go riding, but I became a bit scared with the wildlife. You know, riding with snakes, spiders and such does not sound so good.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Check out http://www.singletracks.com/ . It is a great Mt. Bike site for Mt Bike rides.
There are some great Mt. Bike rides in Tucson.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Just rode Mt. Lemmon today. What a ride! I’m from Colorado and am in Tucson for a week of riding. This ride is similar to riding Mt. Evans, but a bit easier given that Mt. Evans summits at over 14K feet. For that reason, Mt. Lemmon is actually a more enjoyable ride and, apparently, this time of year you don’t have to worry about storms at the top. Whenever you ride Mt. Evans, you have to make sure you are headed back down by 11am or so, since storms move in regularly. The weather was awesome today - mid 80’s and sunny at the start, mid 50’s and sunny at the top. I strongly recommend this ride to anyone visiting Tucson with a bike!