Things to do / Travel Guide
With hundreds of miles of bike lanes, designated bike routes, and paved bike paths, it's no wonder that both Phoenix and Tucson rank as two of the top cities within the United States for bicycling. Yet the real attraction is enjoying the spectacular southern Arizona scenery, and here, too, this region ranks high on just about everyone's list. The best times to go biking are from September to May, unless you're used to biking in the intense summer heat.
Biking around Phoenix
For you hardcore bikers, head over to the South Mountain Park, located off of South Central Avenue. These bike trails are rocky, rugged, and rough and should only be attempted by those with at least a moderate amount of experience on a mountain bike. The trails range in length from one to 14 miles. If you've got what it takes, head towards Dobbins Lookout, the highest point in the park at over 2,300 feet. The beauty of this park cannot be emphasized enough. As its name suggests, the Desert Classic Trail is one of the favorites in the Phoenix area and it provides a great introduction to South Mountain Park. The 10-mile winding singletrack trail, which runs along the southern face of South Mountain, is moderately challenging. The views include towering desert vistas and the scenic Valley of the Sun down below. This is an out-and-back trail, where you will need to retrace your “steps” to return to the trailhead, expect to spend at least an hour on this spin. To get to the park from downtown Phoenix, follow Central Avenue seven miles south.
The McDowell Mountains are another favorite place to bike. Located in the McDowell Mountain Park northeast of Phoenix, the park has three competitive trails that are open to the public daily, except when there are sporting events. The Sport Loop is four miles long and the easiest one. The Long Loop is an 8.2-mile ride that has some fast downhills and technical climbs that will give you a great workout. The 2.6-mile Technical Loop is designed for advanced technical riders. None of these routes should take more than an hour or so.
The 26,337 acres of White Tank Mountain Regional Park are surprisingly underdeveloped for mountain biking. However, the 15 miles of mostly singletrack bike trails that do exist (in some places there is a little bit of wider doubletrack) make this a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy the mountain scenery. Biking trails range from one to eight miles, and while some are easy to navigate others are quite strenuous. To get there; take U.S. 60 from Phoenix going northwest to Peoria. From Peoria, take Olive Avenue west for 15 miles.
Biking around Tucson
The scenic desert preserve at Saguaro National Park West, located 10 miles west of Tucson, has two biking routes for experienced bikers, which are both about an hour long. The more challenging bike route begins at Speedway Boulevard, west of I-10 and continues west over Gates Pass, where the road narrows and the incline becomes very steep. Once you make it to the top, continue west to Kinney Road. Your end point is the world-famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The intermediate route begins at Picture Rocks Road, going west on Ina Road and then continuing south and west until you reach the museum.
The ride along the paved Old Spanish Trail to Colossal Cave Mountain Park will take novice or intermediate riders at least an hour. The Old Spanish Trail starts at downtown Tucson's Broadway Boulevard and runs parallel to the roadway that is also called the Old Spanish Trail all the way to Colossal Cave Road, a distance of about 11 miles.
Any major town or city in the region will have several places where you can rent bicycles. Depending on the type of bike you want to rent, prices range from about $20-$60 for a half day. There are also many tour companies that offer biking tours. Prices for tours usually start at $150 for a two-hour ride.
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