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- Intro to Pistol Hill – El Tour de Tucson Metric Century Training C/20/3GABA Valencia/Houghton Start Point, Tucson, AZ
This is a training for riders doing El Tour’s Metric Century route, though riders who are doing the Half Metric are welcome. Also, if you are just getting into cycling or want to try cycling, you are welcome as well. This week’s ride is 20 miles. The distance will be increasing gradually every week. Future training rides will incorporate different parts of the TDT Metric Century Route
This ride is for riders who are unfamiliar with Pistol Hill and its approach. This week we will ride the approach to Pistol Hill and Pistol Hill itself
This is a C pace ride meaning the final average should be between 12 to 14 MPH, though the pace during the ride may vary above or below that at times. Like distance, the speed will increase gradually as the rides progress.
Ride Description:
Find the route here
We will start near the Speedway at the southeast corner of Valencia and Houghton (see direction link below). We will briefly ride on Houghton before turning right onto Valencia. Valencia becomes Old Spanish Trail at mile 2.7.
At mile 9.2 we will take a right turn onto Pistol Hill Road. Once over the top of Pistol Hill Road morphs into Colossal Cave Road at mile 11.2, which becomes Mary Ann Cleveland Way at mile mile 13.4.
At mile 13.5 we’ll turn into the Safeway parking lot for a quick rest break. Afterwards we’ll continue down Mary Ann Clevelant back to Houghton. After turning right onto Houghton at mile 15.6 we ride north until we return to the start.
Wheels rolling at the start time listed above. Please arrive 15 minutes beforehand to sign the ride waiver.
You must be current with your GABA membership. Click here to become a member.
What to Bring:
• No ear buds! This is a safety requirement, not a request.
• Food & fluids for 2 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.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.
• While riding, you will respect others. You will take care when passing pedestrians and other cyclists: ring your bell or call out "Passing" or "Good morning!" before passing.
• If any of these standards are unclear, you can ask for clarification.
• Route subject to change based upon, weather, road conditions, group requests, and or the ride leader getting lost or forgetting his helmet. - Bob's Tuesday Social Ride, E14 Viv's (C/2/30)Viv's Cafe, Tucson, AZ
The route for this ride is located at this link: Eastside 14.
Distance 30 Miles, Elevation gain: 1100 FtIf you are not a member of our cycling club, please join: Sign Up Link
This ride is a social ride, at a casual pace, with lots of communication, the ride is NOT a high paced training ride.
Start/End: Viv's Café . NW corner of Catalina HWY and Tanque Verde. 8987 E Tanque Verde Rd
Water/Bathrooms
12.5 miles Rillito River Park
If necessary mile 25 Udall ParkYou are welcome to join us for food after the ride. This week we will go to Viv's Café after the ride.
Please load the route into your bicycle computer or your smart phone or print a copy of the cue sheet.
Please review the route before the ride Start and load the route into your bicycle computer or your smart phone or print a copy of the cue sheet.
To participate in this GABA group ride you MUST:- Be willing to ride at a social pace (end of ride social pace 12-14 MPH).
- Be willing to serve as the ride sweep for a portion of the ride.
- Use the phrase "walker/bike up" when overtaking someone.
- Use the phrase "walker/bike left" when approaching someone coming at us. This should be used when on narrow parts of multiuse paths.
- Stay right of the center line on multiuse paths and right of the white line while on the road except to pass.
- Give at least 3 feet when passing someone walking or riding in the same direction.
IMPORTANT: If you have not ridden with Bob within the last 12 months, please send your contact information (Name, phone number, emergency contact, emergency contact phone number (NOT 911) to Bob at rmwillman@yahoo.com
The ride waiver will be filled out prior to the ride, you will just need to verify the information and sign it.
The end-of-ride average speed is expected to be between 12 and 14 MPH, preferably closer to 12 than 14.
If you are not comfortable or not capable with this expected pace average over the entire route, please do not participate in this ride, it is not fair to the other riders.
This is a social ride, 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.
If you sign up for the ride and are running a couple of minutes late call (DO NOT TEXT) the ride leader: Bob's phone number is 520 247 2235. We will wait up to five minutes before leaving.
What to Bring:
• Food & fluids for 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.
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.
• While on the Loop, you will respect others on the Loop. You will take care when passing pedestrians and other cyclists: ring your bell or call out "Passing" or "Good morning!" before passing.
• This is not a "training" or "intensive" ride - this is a social, no drop, base building ride.
• 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.
If you have comments about this ride or would like to make suggestions for future Tuesday / Thursday Social Rides routes, please email Bob and Wayne at
rmwillman@yahoo.com
wayne.cullop@gmail.com
If you get this far and want to read some more, here are some interesting Arizona Bicycle Laws . If you are wondering about how you should act on the loop, read these Complete List of Loop Guidelines.
- Wayne O's West Side origin rides Christopher Columbus Park to Marana AP B/2/38.2El Camino Del Cerro ball park (north end of Christopher Columbus Park), Tucson, AZ
Ballfields off of Silverbell and Camino Del Cerro, follow Santa Cruze River path to El Rio Preserve Park then Coachline to Silverbell to Avra Valley Rd past Marana Airport to Sanders then rejoin Santa Cruz River path back to start
Route LinkPlease arrive 15 minutes early to sign in:
Water and Bathrooms at 11 and 27 miles at El Rio ParkWheels rolling at: 6:00AM
If you sign up for the ride and are running a couple of minutes late call or text Wayne at 661-345-6616 and we will wait up to five minutes before leaving.
If you want to know where you are going, load the RideWithGPS route into your bicycle computer, your smart phone or print a copy of the cue sheet. Otherwise, follow the ride leader.
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 olson234@gmail.com or text to 661-345-6616. The ride waiver will be filled out prior to the ride, you will just need to verify the information and sign it.
This ride will be classified as a B (16-18 mph) ride. There will be some ride-at-your-own-pace sections and regroup areas designated by your ride leader. Except in these ride-at-your-own-pace sections, riders are expected to ride at the pace of the ride leader. If you are in front of the ride leader and make a wrong turn, you are on your own ride unless you can find us again (I know.... it is harsh, but it has to be said).
If you are not a member of our cycling club, please join: Sign Up Link
What to Bring:
-Food & fluids for 3 hours - 2 24oz Bottles or Hydration Pack.
-Bring a tube/patch kit and a way to inflate your tires.
