Originally Posted by
UmneyDurak
Thanks for suggestions.
I managed to ride up part way Mt. Lemmon on Sunday. Ended up turning around soon after 7k ft sign. Started with wind vest arm warmers, warm cycling cap, and leg warmers, and had to take all of them off by the time I hit bottom of Mt. Lemmon. By 7k ft my arms were starting to get cold. On descent all of it was put back on. Reason I turned around was mainly I didn't bring enough food, and I was only doing ~3h ride. Next time I am here will definitely ride the whole thing. Rest of the time I just rode on the trails that are part of the loop.
awesome. glad you hit the best part of mt. lemmon. big kudos! the remainder is def worth doing. you can resupply with food/drink in the little hamlet of summerhaven near the top
if necessary. the last stretch up to the observatory is the steepest stretch, so after a 20+ mile (mostly) climb, it properly hurts. reminds me of the final stretch on the
climb up to dante's view in death valley national park (+ more altitude). just before summerhaven, it's fairly flat and scenic altho a recent fire decimated an already fairly thinned pine forest.
still gorgeous and a must-do..