Madera Canyon

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 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 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 and pay a visit to 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 tad more lively than your morning tour. There is good food and beer to be had before you enter the campus.

Saguaro National Park West