Just North of the Border 600k

NOTE: This route enters Saguaro National Park. There will be a rider FEE set by the NPS. If you have a National Park Pass, it will be accepted for free entrance. Up to 4 riders may enter with each NP Pass presented.

This route starts in Tucson near the University, which is a nice area to hang out before or after the ride. It is the concatenation of JNotB 400k and Madera Canyon 200k brevets. You’ll start by visiting Saguaro National Park (East). There’s an 8 mile loop in the park which does a wonderful job showing off the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

After SNP, you’ll head south to the high desert in southern AZ where elevations will range from 4000-6000 feet (1200-1800 meters). This is the heart of AZ wine country (Sonoita & Elgin) and home to the often visited towns of Tombstone and Bisbee. On the ride, you’ll visit all these places.

You’ll ride down Allen St. in Tombstone right past the location where the Gunfight at O.K. Corral took place. You might even ride through when a reenactment of the gunfight is taking place. After Tombstone is Bisbee. You will have to do some work to get to Bisbee. Mule Pass will be your high point of the ride at just over 6000’. From there, you’ll descend into the heart of the town with its bustling activity. Both Tombstone and Bisbee would be great places to stop for lunch, if time allows. As you exit Bisbee, you’ll visit the Historic Ghost Town of Lowell, then you’ll have some views of the enormous Queen Mine. There’s an overlook looking into the “Lavender Pit” which is worth a quick stop for a photo.

After Bisbee, you’ll head south and ride “Just North of the Border” for ~20 miles, until you reach the Coronado National Forest. There you’ll head back north skirting the Huachuca mountain range to your left on your way to your next Control in Sierra Vista. You will be riding the Buffalo Soldier Trail through Sierra Vista with Fort Huachuca on your left. The history of the Buffalo Soldiers may be found HERE. Gentle terrain will greet you for the next 30 miles as you descend and climb back up to Sonoita. It will likely be getting cold when you arrive there. Smart riders won’t underestimate the cold temperatures which occur in Arizona’s high country.

After your quick stop in Sonoita you’ll roll your way north for 10 miles before you plunge back down toward Tucson. The last 40 miles are nearly all descending!

After riders get some rest, they will head out for the final 200k, which is the Madera Canyon 200k route seen HERE.

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 climbing Sentinel Peak or “A” Mountain as referred to by the locals. After catching your breath and a view of the city, 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 do a u-turn and make your way to 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 kilometres, bring 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 and pay a visit to the San Xavier Mission which was founded in 1797. After the Mission, you’ll have a gentle ride back and another tour o