What we’re about
Based in Tucson, GABA is the oldest and largest bike club in Southern Arizona with over 1300 members! We host, support, and lead Day Rides, legendary centuries, multi-day rides, and rides for families.
GABA is more than just riding a bike. We are also active in the community supporting cycling advocacy, bike safety education, and bike repair. To learn more about GABA check out our webpage. Come join us for some adventures on two (or three) wheels!
If you are not already receiving our electronic newsletter, The Paceline, you can sign up HERE and there is no charge!
Our recurring signature GABA events include the following. Click on the link to go to the GABA web page for further details on the ride of your interest.
Centuries
Overnight Rides:
All Day Rides will include information about Pace, Terrain, and Distance. They may be coded as follows:
Pace
A 20+ mph
B+ 18-20 mph
B 16-18 mph
C+ 14-16 mph
C 12-14 mph
D 8-12
Terrain
1 Flat
2 Minor Hills
3 Moderate Hills
4 Long Climbs or Very Steep
GABA Ride Types:
Social – No Drop: we ride together two abreast where conditions permit. We often have a sweep rider and no one gets dropped
Re Group: We ride in smaller groups at our own pace and regroup at specified points in the route
Training Ride: The route is posted and all riders need to be self sufficient
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Sabino Canyon Social Ride C/2-3/33Morris K Udall Park, Tucson, AZ
Route Map Link
Out early and back early! We’ll meet at the parking lot of Mo Udall park near the dog park and Pickle Ball courts before 6:00am so we can be rolling by 6:00am. (Yes I will be riding to the start so will be setting the alarm early) We’ll roll north on Sabino Canyon Rd to the entrance of Sabino Canyon and regroup. Ride the Canyon at your pace. We’ll then regroup and head down Sunrise and turn right on Kolb and instead of flying down the hill we’ll use some neighborhoods to make our way to Skyline and on to Campbell to the path and then back to Mo Udall. Please study and know the route. You could also download it to your devise. This is a social ride with an estimated end of ride average 14 - 15mph.
What to Bring:
• Food & fluids for 2-3 hours - 2 24oz Bottles or Hydration Pack.
• Bring a tube/patch kit and a way to inflate your tires.
• Be sure your bike is in good mechanical condition.
• CPSC approved helmets must always be worn while riding.
• No ear buds! This is a safety requirement, not a request (one earbud to hear route cues is OK).
If you are riding, I ask that you agree that:
• You will obey traffic laws. Drive your bike as you would your car.
• You are a representative of the greater cycling community and will therefore conduct yourself appropriately.
• You will represent GABA well.
• If any of these standards are unclear, you will ask for clarification.
• Route subject to change based upon, weather, road conditions, group requests, and or the ride leader getting lost.
GABA Rating System:
Pace Ratings:
A 20+
B+ 18 - 20
B 16 - 18
C+ 14 - 16
C 12 - 14
D 12 or lower
Hill Ratings:
1 Flat
2 Minor Hills
3 Moderate Hills
4 Long Climbs or Very Steep - Cliff'sNW08 (C+/2/35) St Philips, UofA, Los Paseos, Rillito to Ren4300 N Campbell Ave #24, Tucson, AZ
ROUTE 34.6 miles/1005 feet ascent, ~15 mph average.
Weather Forecast (7 days out).
6am 80 Degrees, Sunny, Winds 2 mph ESE with Gusts to 4 mph
9am 85 Degrees, Sunny, Winds 4 mph WSW with gusts to 11 mph.If you want to go faster and on a longer ride, sign up for Bob's B ride (16-18 mph) HERE that starts at the same location and time.
Route: We will share the roads with traffic for ~60% of route which will have shoulders or bike lanes. Approximately 40% will be on the loop.
Begin: St. Philips Plaza South parking lot
End: Feel free to join us at Ren's Coffeehouse after the ride.
Water/Bathroom Breaks:
9 miles - 1161 W Silverlake Rd (short stop)
17 miles - Feliz Paseos Park (long stop)
28 miles - Rillito Park at Camino De La Tierra (but only if needed)Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in. If you sign up for the ride and are running a couple of minutes late call Cliff at 520-551-1155 and we will wait up to five minutes before leaving.
Load the route into your bicycle computer, it will help if you get separated from the group or your leader doesn't load it correctly.
If you haven't ridden with me before, I will not have your contact information. If so, please send your name, phone number, emergency contact, emergency contact phone number (NOT 911) to cliffhaston55@gmail.com. If you are bringing a +1, send their information as well. The ride waiver will be filled out prior to the ride, you will just need to verify the information and sign it.
There is a good chance that the C ride will end with an average speed of 15 mph. If you are not comfortable or not capable of this expected pace average over the entire route, please do not participate in this ride, it is not fair to the other riders. At the same time, do not push the ride leader to go over the upper threshold. These are social rides, lots of conversations, and regroupings as we will not drop anyone. Riders are expected to ride at the pace of the ride leader and between the ride leader and the sweep. There will be ride-at-your-own-pace sections and regroup areas designated by your ride leader.
If you are not a member of our cycling club, please join: Sign Up Link
WARNING
Recently an expensive Cervelo road bike was stolen (cable cut) off of a bike rack that was mounted on the back of a car while the GABA member was having coffee at RENs coffeehouse. This bike will most likely be sold for $1,000–$2,000 on the black market in another city. A report was filed with the Pima County Sheriff's office and sadly they want to close the report because they have no leads. Although the bike was partially covered by insurance, it resulted in a lot of time and energy to deal with this crime. Let's talk about it.....
Unfortunately, bike theft is a common issue, especially in urban areas like Tucson, where bikes are popular for commuting and recreation.
Here are best practices to minimize the risk:
Use High-Quality Locks and avoid cable locks: Cable locks are easily cut with basic bolt cutters in seconds. Instead, use a U-lock (e.g., Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit or Abus Granit X-Plus) or a heavy-duty chain lock (e.g., Kryptonite New York Chain). U-locks are harder to cut and resist most portable tools.
Double-lock strategy: Use two different types of locks (e.g., a U-lock for the frame and front wheel, and a chain lock for the rear wheel and seat). This forces thieves to carry multiple tools and spend more time, deterring them.
Lock quality matters: Invest in locks rated “Sold Secure Gold” or “ART 4/5” for maximum security. Expect to spend $50–$150 for a good lock.
Secure the Bike Properly: Lock to a fixed, immovable object: Ensure the bike is locked to a sturdy bike rack or pole that can’t be lifted or broken. Car bike racks are less secure because they’re detachable or less robust than ground-anchored racks.
Lock the frame and wheels: Always lock the bike’s frame and at least one wheel to the rack. Use the U-lock through the frame and rear wheel (inside the rear triangle) for maximum security. Remove or secure the front wheel if it’s quick-release.
Minimize leverage points: Position the lock close to the frame to reduce space for thieves to insert tools like jacks or pry bars.
Choose Safer Parking Locations: High-traffic, well-lit areas: Park in busy, visible spots or similar locations where passersby or staff might notice suspicious activity. Avoid secluded or dark areas.
Indoor or monitored parking: If available, use indoor bike storage or racks near security cameras. Some cafes or businesses in Tucson may offer bike valet services or indoor storage for customers.
Avoid long-term parking: The longer a bike is left unattended, the more time thieves have to work. In this case even a short coffee break gave thieves a window of opportunity.
Make the Bike Less Appealing: Remove valuable components: Take off easily removable parts like lights, computers, or saddlebags before leaving the bike. For high-value bikes like this Cervelo, consider removing the seat if it’s quick-release.
Customize or disguise: Add unique markings, stickers, or paint to make the bike less attractive for resale. High-end bikes like this Cervelo are often targeted for their resale value.
Use security skewers: Replace quick-release skewers with locking skewers (e.g., Pinhead or Hexlox) to secure wheels and saddle, making them harder to steal.
Use Technology:GPS trackers: Install a discreet GPS tracker (e.g., Apple AirTag, Tile, or BikeTrax) hidden inside the frame or under the saddle. These can help locate a stolen bike if acted on quickly.
Smart locks: Some locks, like the Abus Bordo Alarm, have motion-sensitive alarms that deter thieves.
Register the bike: Register the bike with services like Bike Index or 529 Garage, which are widely used in the U.S., including Tucson. Include the serial number, photos, and description. If stolen, report it to these registries to flag the bike on resale markets.
Insurance:Get bike insurance: For an $8,000 bike, consider specialized bike insurance (e.g., Velosurance or Markel) or add it to a homeowner’s/renter’s policy with a rider. This won’t prevent theft but can mitigate financial loss.
Document the bike: Keep receipts, photos, and the serial number in case of theft for insurance claims or police reports.
Best Practices for Securing Bikes on Car Racks: Here are specific tips for this scenario:Use a rack-specific lock: Many car bike racks (e.g., Thule, Yakima) come with integrated locks, but these are often flimsy. Supplement with a high-quality U-lock or chain to secure the bike to the rack and the car’s hitch or frame.
Park in visible areas: When parking with a bike on a car rack, choose spots near the coffeehouse entrance or under streetlights where activity is more likely to be noticed.
Remove the bike for long stops: For extended stops (e.g., coffee with friends), consider removing the bike from the rack and locking it to a ground-anchored bike rack instead.
Use a hitch lock: Secure the bike rack itself to the car with a hitch lock to prevent the entire rack from being removed.You might see this info next month in the Paceline.
