Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA)

Route Map

Ride Description:

We’ll ride down the Loop to Sabino Canyon Road. Then Sabino Canyon to Tanque Verde to Wrightson Road, take a left on Pantano and ride up the on ramp to Tanque Verde. After getting off the overpass we’ll take a left on to Woodland Road until it intersects Tanque Verde again.

At Tanque Verde we’ll turn right and ride out to the entrance to Forty Niner Country Club. We’ll ride through Forty Niner County Club coming out at E Cape Horn and N Wentworth Road.

Turning right onto Wentworth we will continue to East Speedway Blvd where we’ll turn right and continue to Freeman Road. Taking a left on to Freeman we’ll ride up to Old Spanish Trail, turn left and then left in to Saguaro National Park East.

There will be a brief regroup at the Ramada before we head out to ride the Cactus Loop. Riders can also choose to stay at the Ramada or just ride out to the Picnic Area. Those riders doing the Loop can add the Picnic Area if they wish.

After we’re all back at the Ramada, we’ll head back to First Watch via Old Spanish Trail to Kenyon and get onto The Loop Back to First Watch.

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. Riders should stay within sight of the main group.

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:
• 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.
• 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.

ROUTE Link Dist: 34 Miles. Ascent: 606 Feet, Avg Speed ~15 MPH.
Weather Forecast 6:30-9:30 (as of 1st of Sep): 68-74 Deg F., RAIN, Winds 3ESE (gusting to 5) to 4SW (Gusting to 8).

Start/End: Silverbell Lake. Silverbell Lake is located in Columbus Park and can be accessed from 4300 N. Silverbell Road. Once there, meet next to the boat ramp (There are two boat ramps, meet at the North one). Please arrive 15 minutes early get ready and to sign in.

Route: Start at Silverbell Lake, head South to the end of the Santa Cruz multiloop path, turn right to go West on Valencia, go South on Mission to San Xavier Mission. Special caution if needed at the high traffic area at the intersection of Mission and Valencia and at the underpasses where people sometimes congregate. We will slow down through the underpasses. On the return we will turn North on Midvale and then East on Drexel to get back to the Santa Cruz multipurpose path and return to Silverbell Lake in Columbus Park.

Bathroom/Water Stops:
0 miles - Silverbell Lake Public Restroom
8 miles - Paseos de Las Iglesias Park (short stop)
18 miles - San Xavier Mission (It is too early to get Fry Bread, bring your own snack) (longer stop)
26 miles - Paseos de Las Iglesias Park (short stop if needed)
34 miles - Silverbell Lake

Please load the route into your bicycle computer or your smart phone or print a copy of the cue sheet.
Riders are expected to ride at the pace of the ride leader. Most of this route is on the Santa Cruz multi-use path, but there are approximately 10 miles on roads (Valencia and Mission) with moderate traffic and sometimes no bike lane. Only ride side by side when it is safe to do so.

Not a member? Sign Up Link

To participate in this GABA group ride you MUST:

1. Be willing to ride at the posted pace. 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.
2. Be willing to serve as the ride sweep for a small portion of the ride.
3. Use the phrase "walker/bike up" when overtaking someone.
4. Use the phrase "walker/bike left" when approaching someone coming at us. This should be used when on narrow parts of multiuse paths.
5. Stay right of the center line on multiuse paths and right of the white line while on the road except to pass.
6. Give at least 3 feet when passing someone walking or riding in the same direction.
7. Obey traffic laws.
8. Represent GABA well.

If any of these standards are unclear, ask for clarification. Route subject to change based upon, weather, road conditions, group requests, and or the ride leader getting lost.
IMPORTANT: If you have not ridden with Cliff before, please send your contact information (Name, phone number, emergency contact, emergency contact phone number (NOT 911) to Cliff at cliffhaston55@gmail.com. If you bring a +1, send their information as well. The ride waiver will be filled out prior to the ride, you will need to verify the information and sign it.

If you sign up for the ride and are running a couple of minutes late call or text the ride leader: Cliff's phone number is 520-551-1155. We will wait up to five minutes before leaving if you call.
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.

ROUTE Link Distance: 41 Miles. Elev. Gain: 1090 Feet
Expected End-of-Ride Average Speed: 16-17 MPH. This is a full drop ride. There is a slower (~15 MPH average) "C+" ride that you can sign up for. If you start with the B group and need to fall back to the C+ group, then let the rider leader know.

Start/End: Silverbell Lake. Silverbell Lake is located in Columbus Park and can be accessed from 4300 N. Silverbell Road. Once there, meet at the next to the boat ramp (there are two boat ramps, meet at the North one). Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in.

Route: Start at Silverbell Lake, head North on Silverbell and East on Camino del Cerro and get on the Santa Cruz river EAST loop trail. Cross back to the West side of the Santa Cruz at Grant. Go West on Congress and do A-Mountain. Skirt the mountain coming down and come into the back side of the restrooms south of Silverlake Rd. Cross over to East side at Silverlake and then back to the east side at Irvington. At the end of the bicycle path, turn right to go West on Valencia, go South on Mission to San Xavier Mission. On the return we will stay on the West side of the Santa Cruz and return to Silverbell Lake in Columbus Park.

Stops:
0 miles - Silverbell Lake Public Restroom
14 miles - Paseos de Las Iglesias Park (short stop)
24 miles - San Xavier Mission (Too early for Fry Bread, Oh Well... Bring a snack)
32 miles - Paseos de Las Iglesias Park (if needed)
41 miles - Silverbell Lake
Please load the route into your bicycle computer or your smart phone or print a copy of the cue sheet.
Riders are expected to ride at the pace of the ride leader. Most of this route is on the Santa Cruz multi-use path, but there are approximately 12 miles on roads (Valencia, Mission, and Congress) with moderate traffic and sometimes no bike lane. Only ride side by side when it is safe to do so.

Not a member? Sign Up Link

To participate in this GABA group ride you MUST:

1. Be willing to ride at the posted pace. 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.
2. Be willing to serve as the ride sweep for a small portion of the ride.
3. Use the phrase "walker/bike up" when overtaking someone.
4. Use the phrase "walker/bike left" when approaching someone coming at us. This should be used when on narrow parts of multiuse paths.
5. Stay right of the center line on multiuse paths and right of the white line while on the road except to pass.
6. Give at least 3 feet when passing someone walking or riding in the same direction.
7. Obey traffic laws.
8. Represent GABA well.

IMPORTANT: If you have not ridden with Ed or Cliff before, please send your contact information (Name, phone number, emergency contact, emergency contact phone number (NOT 911) to Cliff at cliffhaston55@gmail.com. The ride waiver will be filled out prior to the ride, you will need to verify the information and sign it.

If you sign up for the ride and are running a couple of minutes late call (DO NOT TEXT) the ride leader: Ed's phone number is 915-238-3188. We will wait up to five minutes before leaving if you call.
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.