Tombstone, Casa Grande start

This route is out and back between Casa Grande and Tombstone.

Terrain: Of all the Casa Grande brevets, this one has the most climbing. However, at under 10,000 feet in two days, it’s not exactly Colorado.

The ride starts on the flat, desert plain in Casa Grande, travels past Picacho Peak and into the agricultural fields of Marana. From there the road turns choppy like ocean waves as we wind around Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. It’s a virtual saguaro and cactus forest. After that we’re only on the streets of Tucson for a short time before entering the Tohono O’odham reservation and traveling past the mines.

As we leave Tucson and the reservation behind, we climb over huge rollers from about 2,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level to get to Sonoita. We’re in the grasslands now. Not a saguaro in sight, just golden grass and grazing cattle. This is Arizona’s wine country. In fact, you’ll have to pass at least 4 wineries to get to the Elgin checkpoint.

Elgin and Sonoita are the sleep stops, but it’s too early in the day to stop now. Go on to Tombstone. I’ve included an optional 2 mile loop through the western town. Towns people dress in period clothes and give stagecoach rides. I hear there are even public hangings on special occasions. Tombstone is the turnaround point and so you get to see everything one more time on your way back. Ride back to the Elgin checkpoint and have dinner with us.