Event: Madera Canyon + FLWO
Date / Time
Start Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Registration Closes: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 @23:59:00
Distance: 188 miles
Start Time: 07:30
There will be a mass start at 7:30 AM and announcements and time for questions at 7:25.
Time Limit: 20 hours
Sunrise: 7:16 am
Sunset: 5:58 pm
Cost: $30
Pre-registration only. No day-of-event registration.
ACP sanctioned.
WAIVER NOTE: You will be automatically directed to the online waiver during registration. The online waiver may also be found at tinyurl.com/AZBrevetWaiver.
REGISTRATION NOTE:
Once you are registered for a ride, you will see your name in the Registered Riders tab. It may take a day or so for it to appear. Registered riders WILL be sent a "Last Minute Notes" email the day after registration closes, normally the Thursday before the ride. This will highlight any route updates, construction, etc. that needs to be communicated. If you do not receive it, please let me know. Also, check your spam folder for the email.
RIDE VERIFICATION:
These events are sanctioned by Randonneurs USA (RUSA) and will be verified using approved RUSA methods. Click HERE to see the details of available options for AZ Radonneurs' events.
Ride Description
Madera Canyon 300k
Starting a few kilometres east of downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona (U of A) riders will have an early tour of the U of A campus before you will find your way to a section of the Loop bike path and use it to head south out of town.
Your southern journey takes you as far as Amado where you will then visit the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory. After a quick stop, you'll descend back down to continue your journey toward your next obstacle, Madera Canyon. The 21km canyon climb takes you to 5500 feet and an alpine environment. Oh, and we need to mention the thigh-burning last few kilometers! You might consider bringing a few extra gears.
After descending Madera, you will make your way back north on roads used by the famous Saturday Morning Tucson Shootout ride by the San Xavier Mission which was founded in 1797. If your legs aren’t beat up by then, fear not, you now head into the rollers of the beautiful West Saguaro National Park.
Once you leave the main park area the terrain is more forgiving as you tour the NW Sonoran desert west of Marana. You'll enjoy a gentle ride back south along some of Tucson's fantastic bike paths and another tour of the university campus to find yourself at the end of your journey. The university area will be a lot more lively than your morning tour. There is good food and beer to be had before you enter the campus.
Saguaro National Park West

Start Location
Location: El Con Plaza Starbucks in Tucson
Address:
Starbucks at:
3421 E Broadway Blvd #191, Tucson, AZ 85716
Click here for a map to the start.Directions: East on Broadway Rd ~4 miles from I-10
There is plenty of parking near Starbucks/Walmart/etc.
Route Information
View RWGPS online map here
The Ride With GPS map may be used to download a file for your GPS, if you wish.

Elevation profile:

Total climbing is about 7,600 ft., depending on which measurement device you use.
Take note of the route profile as the climbs on this ride are mostly rollers, but Madera Canyon is long and STEEP toward the top.
The climb to Helmet Peak is long and gradual with a particularly fun descent!
Cue sheets may be downloaded.
(Excel format is not available.)
Create custom cuesheet
Rider Info
Lights, safety vest/belt, and ankle bands are required. Note that there is only about 12 hours of daylight for this ride so lights will be required.
Climbing Madera Canyon
Start: Starbucks/Walmart – The start/finish control is in the El Con Plaza on E Broadway Rd in Tucson.
There are multiple services in the area. Starbucks opens at 05:00 but closes at 10 pm. If riders finish after 10 pm, there is an alternate control location at a 24 hour Circle K noted on the route sheet.
There will be some support on the ride (detailed to registered riders) and there are stores located at convenient distances along the route. These will be noted on the route sheet.
Longhorn Grille in Amato

Registered Riders
5 Registered Riders.
| Rider Name | RUSA # | City | State/Prov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Ayala | 16656 | Surprise | AZ |
| KA Evans | 11934 | Kansas City | MO |
| Carl Miiller | 16672 | Calgary | AB |
| John Stroh | 14908 | Westwood Hills | KS |
| Trev Williams | 16707 | Calgary | AB |
Register
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