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- Bob's and Wayne's Social Ride Airline Loop Ride (C/2/27)Crying Onion Cafe, Tucson, AZ
Ride with GPS map is located at: Airline Loop
Distance 34 Miles, Elevation gain 490 Ft
Ride Leader today is Wayne CullopIf you are not a member of our cycling club, please join: Sign Up Link
Start/End: Crying Onion 3684 W Orange Grove Rd, on the NE corner of Orange Grove and Thornydale.
Water/Bathrooms:
- 6 miles Mclean Park
- 22 miles Circle K
You are welcome to join us for food after the ride. This week we will go to Crying Onion after the ride.
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 of 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: - Wayne's phone number is 520 977 3018. 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
- Scott's Birthday Ride C/2/35Shoppes at Rita Ranch, Tucson, AZ
I've been doing a ride on my birthday for my for years. This year it falls on a Saturday so I thought since I normally lead rides on Saturday's I'd combine my birthday ride into my Saturday ride. There might be cake.
We’ll meet near the center of the Shoppes at Rita Ranch parking lot at Rita Road and Houghton. This is a C paced ride meaning the final average should be between 12-14 MPH, though the pace during the ride may exceed that occasionally. Total distance is 35.3 miles, the total elevation gain is 823 feet and the max gradient is 1.9%.
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.
Ride Description:
It is recommended all riders download the route as I made a few changes to this route. Download the route here.
To start the ride we’ll ride down Houghton to the first rest stop is the Roadrunner Market at mile 10. This part of the route is uphill with an average gradient of 0.6 percent and a max gradient of 1.9%. At the traffic light at the intersection of Houghton and Sahuarita, take a left on to East Sahuarita Road, followed by a quick right into the parking lot.
We'll ride out of the parking lot on to Houghton and make a left turn on to Sahuarita Road. After turning on Sahuarita rider can ride at there own pace until the next traffic light at Wilmot Road. This stretch is 5.1 miles long and the average gradient is -1.4%.. After turning onto Wilmot riders will stop and wait for all riders to regroup
After the regroup riders may ride north on Wilmot at their own pace until it crosses The Loop at mile 26. Turn right onto the Loop, and, if needed,pull over to wait for riders to regroup. We'll then follow the path to the Roy Schoonover Trailhead where we’ll do a final rest break. before continuing along the Loop to Rita Road. This part of the ride is 12.7 miles with an average gradient of 0.0% and a max gradient of 1.3%.
For the final stretch continue on the Loop to Rita Road we’ll turn left on to Rita Road and follow it to a right turn on to S. Zircon Crystal Dr at mile 32.4. An immediate left on to E. Blue Topaz Lane follows the turn followed shortly there after with a left turn on to E. Marquis Diamond.
After that series of quick turns we'll turn right on to E. Esmond Lane which we'll follow to a right turn on to E. Paseo Juan Tabo. Next we'll turn right on to E. Rees Loop, which will be the last road we ride on in this neighborhood before we turn right back on to Rita Road.
Watch for on coming cars when turning right on to Rita Road. The left into the parking lot is almost immediate. Then we'll be back at the start. Did I mention there might be cake? The final stretch is 7.5 miles. The average gradient is 0.4% and the max is 1.9%,
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 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.
