Southwest - Tucson to Phoenix century ride

Im looking to ride to Phoenix from Tucson the first of the year. Has anyone done this and is there a suggested route?

thanks

You can also try the Casa Grande Century (Chandler to Casa Grande and back), always held in early Jan. Or the Picacho Century (Marana to the Town of Picacho and back), some time in Feb.

Adding both routes together you have nearly everything you need except a few miles in the middle.

Im looking to ride to Phoenix from Tucson the first of the year. Has anyone done this and is there a suggested route?

thanks

I've ridden it the other way, Phoenix to Tucson.

The recommended route I'd heard about is: Catalina highway to Oracle Junction (hwy 79), across to Florence, 87 through Coolidge to Chandler. Hwy 79 isn't exactly wide but it's not on my most-deadly list, either. You'll have a nice 40-mile downhill. There's a nice variation at Coolidge to dodge back through the res on BlackWater Road and avoid what I think is the worst several miles. It's visible on MapQuest. The reservation dogs are known to be mean though.

Going the other way, it's a long haul from Florence to Oracle Junction. You'll have that downhill, but be sure to water up, anyway.

I keep hearing about the picacho route, but nobody seems to know the connector - right at Picacho there seems to be no way through except the freeway. I keep meaning to scout that - maybe I'll get more info soon!

Eureka! Arizona Brevet series has a route sheet online, it has the mystery route published. http://www.azbrevet.com/300km_snp_2007_final.xls


Their 300k goes out Florence way, and comes back through Avra & Picacho. The mystery route starts at about line 50 of their spreadsheet, and gets you back to Coolidge - where the Blackwater back-road is your friend.

Ha, they said "mostly flat." That 40-mile hill can be a heartbreaker (west to east)!

You can avoid the 40 mile climb from Florence to just past the high tension wires before Oracle Jct. by coming through by Hwy 87 thru Coolidge and Eloy. Past Eloy connect with the the I-10 Frontage road by town of Picacho, past Picacho Peak and into Tucson.
Not as scenic as the route through Florence/Oracle Jct/Catalina but easier on the legs.
The Casa Grande Century is Jan. 7, 2007; starts in Phx area; contact Jane Larson at JLreports@aol.com or sportsfun.com/gaba. Organized the Phx Metro Bicycle Club (PMBC).

. . . and the Picacho Peak Century will be held February 11, 2007. Check this website for more info: www.bikegaba.org
This 100-miler also has 15-, 35- and 65-mile options. Starts north of Tucson and meanders to Picacho.
Have done it many times. Slight downhill grade (maybe 1%) headed north, with of course, a slight upgrade, and, usually a headwind, heading back toward Tucson.
This annual event has a good turnout so you'll not lack for company or support.
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

My next ride.

I found you can take a shuttle for cheap.
http://www.arizonashuttle.com/


Thanks for the info.


Maps
Interstate maps and highway bicycle shoulder widths or access. first link
http://www.azbikeped.org/maps.htm