Road Cycling Arizona in Winter
07-25-15, 09:21 AM
#1
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Road Cycling Arizona in Winter
My husband and I are thinking ahead. When it gets cold in the winter we want to find a warm place to ride. Where in Arizona would be a good place for road cycling. I want rollers but no extremely steep climbs. We also want a town where we can find decent places to eat. Thanks.
10-20-15, 01:22 PM
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Ok we will look at Tucson. Can you recommend what area of town would be best for our home base if we want to ride from our hotel or rental?
10-20-15, 04:09 PM
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Most of the Cave Creek area in North Phoenix/Scottsdale area is very nice cycling, most climbs aren't too steep but it's still possible to get 2-4k feet on a good day.
Paradise Valley area between Phoenix and Scottsdale is also very nice bike riding, lots of short hills for climbing around Mummy and Camelback mountain - steeper in areas but short so bearable.
Tons of nice restaurants and hotels too.
Paradise Valley area between Phoenix and Scottsdale is also very nice bike riding, lots of short hills for climbing around Mummy and Camelback mountain - steeper in areas but short so bearable.
Tons of nice restaurants and hotels too.
10-20-15, 07:00 PM
#6
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Thank you. Isn't it typically warmer in the winter in Tucson than in Phoenix? I am looking for warm.
Last edited by shona; 10-20-15 at 07:12 PM.
10-21-15, 05:59 AM
#7
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Phoenix is warmer than Tucson.
10-21-15, 06:12 AM
#9
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When I go to Tucson I always see a lot of roadies. I haven't ridden there, just hiked. Most would probably give the edge to Tucson. More hills and Mount Lemmon are attractions.
Last edited by johnlp37; 12-15-16 at 05:52 PM. Reason: spelling
10-21-15, 11:37 AM
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Phoenix has more to offer outside of cycling...just more attractions in a bigger city. Also, slightly warmer weather.
Phoenix and Tucson aren't that far from each other...just over 100 miles. You could probably enjoy both fairly easily.
02-04-16, 10:39 PM
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North of Tucson in the Oro Valley area.
Lived/ridden here since 1978.
Do bring a few warm riding clothes as it can be near or just below freezing early mornings. Tdoday (Feb. 4) it was near freezing at 7 a.m.and low 60s in mid afternoon. Going up to 80 for Sunday. Oh, yeah, it's sunny too!
Lived/ridden here since 1978.
Do bring a few warm riding clothes as it can be near or just below freezing early mornings. Tdoday (Feb. 4) it was near freezing at 7 a.m.and low 60s in mid afternoon. Going up to 80 for Sunday. Oh, yeah, it's sunny too!
02-05-16, 04:55 PM
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I am a native from Phoenix and there are great rides and maps available. Many clubs as well.
Don't forget Vegas. I actually live in Henderson, NV, We are now a Silver status cycling community. Numerous rides around Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Red Rocks. Weather similar to AZ. Tons of entertainment, casino and non gaming!
Don't forget Vegas. I actually live in Henderson, NV, We are now a Silver status cycling community. Numerous rides around Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Red Rocks. Weather similar to AZ. Tons of entertainment, casino and non gaming!
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07-22-16, 06:08 AM
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North, East, West and especially Northeast side of Tucson are all great. I'm a fan of the East side personally especially out around Saguaro National Monument east. But really you can't go wrong no matter where you stay it is a bike friendly town. There is good riding in Phoenix too but Tucson is more bikecentric.
07-22-16, 06:09 AM
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I know this is a year after your post but what did you decide? Did you come to AZ after all.
07-22-16, 06:53 AM
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Tucson is a neat town
Tuesday Night College Ride is fun
Tuesday Night College Ride is fun
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07-23-16, 12:58 PM
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Deserts have large temperature swings. So it can start out in the 30s and then reach upper 60s. High temps in the winter vary too: I think the lowest average is lower 60s or so. We have a few days where it doesn't get out of the 30s (rare) and it can be in the upper 80s as well. As for lows, we can get down into the low 20s but that is rare as well. Generally, riding is excellent in the winter.
10-26-16, 09:49 AM
#20
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I came to this sub-forum to pretty much as the same question. Discovered that I have some vacation time at the end of the year, and it is already too late to find a reasonable flight anywhere. I have some distant family in Phoenix and they told me I should come.
How is the winter riding (the period between Xmas and NYE) in Phoenix? I pretty much only do very hilly rides, so I would love to attempt Mount Lemmon (yes, I realize it is not near Phoenix). How cold can it get? I live in California, so I am not used to riding in the cold.
How is the winter riding (the period between Xmas and NYE) in Phoenix? I pretty much only do very hilly rides, so I would love to attempt Mount Lemmon (yes, I realize it is not near Phoenix). How cold can it get? I live in California, so I am not used to riding in the cold.
10-26-16, 11:08 AM
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It usually gets up to mid 60's at that point, but I've also seen it spit snow on NYE and lowish 30s at night.
I've lived here for over 10 years now, so I wear a winter coat for most of the winter, while most tourists are in shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. If I ride in the morning, I usually wear a light jacket and leg warmers. If I wait until closer to noon, I can usually get by with arm warmers or long sleeve jersey.
South Mountain just south of the city is a great climb (not Mt. Lemmon, but still not a bad climb). There are some smaller hills up in North Scottsdale/Cave Creek area, along with other little hills around the city. For the most part, Phoenix is flat with no long climbs, just short steep ones.
I've lived here for over 10 years now, so I wear a winter coat for most of the winter, while most tourists are in shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. If I ride in the morning, I usually wear a light jacket and leg warmers. If I wait until closer to noon, I can usually get by with arm warmers or long sleeve jersey.
South Mountain just south of the city is a great climb (not Mt. Lemmon, but still not a bad climb). There are some smaller hills up in North Scottsdale/Cave Creek area, along with other little hills around the city. For the most part, Phoenix is flat with no long climbs, just short steep ones.
11-02-16, 11:10 AM
#22
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Thanks for the info. What I cannot find is the average weather at the top of Mt Lemmon during that time of year. I am expecting a big difference between the top and bottom.
Regarding Mt Lemmon, does anybody have a route, preferably as a Strava segment? The problem is finding it on Strava is that you cannot tell if the road is paved or not (segment for mountain bikers). I am definitely a road biker. My cousin in AZ does mountain bike, but nothing major, so I might try it out (if they have an extra bike in my size).
My other issue with Mt Lemmon is water. From what I have read, there is no water to be had during this time of year. What is the last chance for water during the climb?
Regarding Mt Lemmon, does anybody have a route, preferably as a Strava segment? The problem is finding it on Strava is that you cannot tell if the road is paved or not (segment for mountain bikers). I am definitely a road biker. My cousin in AZ does mountain bike, but nothing major, so I might try it out (if they have an extra bike in my size).
My other issue with Mt Lemmon is water. From what I have read, there is no water to be had during this time of year. What is the last chance for water during the climb?
Last edited by Tycho Brahe; 11-02-16 at 03:38 PM.
11-02-16, 03:17 PM
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When I searched for Strava segments I found these two, I'm guessing the first one is more official because it's a bit longer.
https://www.strava.com/segments/527881
https://www.strava.com/segments/613678
The top is over 8k feet so it's probably a bit colder at the top. Flagstaff is around 7k feet and it will snow up there during the winter, but on a nice day it can still get up near 50 or more.
https://www.strava.com/segments/527881
https://www.strava.com/segments/613678
The top is over 8k feet so it's probably a bit colder at the top. Flagstaff is around 7k feet and it will snow up there during the winter, but on a nice day it can still get up near 50 or more.
11-04-16, 06:22 PM
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Thanks for the info. What I cannot find is the average weather at the top of Mt Lemmon during that time of year. I am expecting a big difference between the top and bottom.
Regarding Mt Lemmon, does anybody have a route, preferably as a Strava segment? The problem is finding it on Strava is that you cannot tell if the road is paved or not (segment for mountain bikers). I am definitely a road biker. My cousin in AZ does mountain bike, but nothing major, so I might try it out (if they have an extra bike in my size).
My other issue with Mt Lemmon is water. From what I have read, there is no water to be had during this time of year. What is the last chance for water during the climb?
Regarding Mt Lemmon, does anybody have a route, preferably as a Strava segment? The problem is finding it on Strava is that you cannot tell if the road is paved or not (segment for mountain bikers). I am definitely a road biker. My cousin in AZ does mountain bike, but nothing major, so I might try it out (if they have an extra bike in my size).
My other issue with Mt Lemmon is water. From what I have read, there is no water to be had during this time of year. What is the last chance for water during the climb?
I suggest stopping at Le Buzz before you start the climb. It is a few miles from the base and lots of cyclists congregate here to start. Plus they have great coffee and pastries. On the climb, there is water just before the ranger station at Palisades. It is at about mile 19 of the climb and located next to the restrooms on the north side of the road. Summerhaven, at the top, has restaurants and small grocery store.
12-05-16, 06:04 AM
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When I searched for Strava segments I found these two, I'm guessing the first one is more official because it's a bit longer.
https://www.strava.com/segments/527881
https://www.strava.com/segments/613678
https://www.strava.com/segments/527881
https://www.strava.com/segments/613678
https://www.strava.com/segments/1742226
Definitely a sealed surface. Had the good fortune to ride Mt Lemmon as part of a 3 week 5,500km+ driving peak bagging trip from CA, CO, AZ and back to CA in 2013!
The Climbing Lama: Mt Lemmon 17th September
