Arizona Brevet & Randonnee
Home of Arizona Brevets and Long Distance Cycling
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Saguaro Desert Registration is closed. |
| Saguaro National Park |
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Date: Saturday, February 2, 2013
Distance: 190 miles Start Time: 6:00 am Time Limit: 20 hours Sunrise: 7:24 amSunset: 5:56 pm Moonrise: 4:51 AM Sunday morning, so it's not going to be much help. Cost: $20 All riders must pre-register. (No day of event registration.) ACP sanctioned. Description Starting in Casa Grande, the route passes through the cotton fields of Coolidge before heading south on SR 79 (Pinal Parkway) which is designated as a scenic highway. Just before Tucson in Oro Valley we turn west and take Tangerine. On the west side of Tucson, we climb up and over Gates Pass (the easy way) and into Saguaro National Park. The route returns north again through the agricultural town of Marana and passes in the shadow of Picacho Peak before returning to Casa Grande. Terrain: Flat for the first 30 miles through Casa Grande and Coolidge, then a slight, steady but very long climb on Pinal Parkway (SR79). Once you get off Pinal Parkway, (mile 68) it's a long downhill into Tucson. The only other obstacle is the steep climb up Gates Pass and the screaming descent on the other side. There are a few choppy hills through Saguaro National Park. The last 60 miles are flat and travel through the fields of Marana, past Picacho Peak, and finally back to Casa Grande. Total 3,883 feet of climbing. Greg Olmstead's RideWithGPS map Directions to the start Location: Round Trip Bike Shop Address: 1148 E. Florence Blvd, Casa Grande, AZ
View on line map
Cue sheets will be handed out at the start of each event. Copies are provided here for planning purposes. Make sure you use the cue sheets provided on the morning of the ride. They will be the most up to date.
Elevation Profile
Feb 2011: The route has changed slightly since I made this elevation profile, but this is still a good representation of the route. In Feb 2011, Alan Travis recorded 4,968 feet of climbing. Leonard Zito recorded 4,701 feet.1. Town of Coolidge 2. Tom Mix Monument, checkpoint #2. Grade is less than 4%, but as you can see, it goes on for miles.3. Right onto SR 77/89 in Oracle Junction. Relief, at last.4. Turn from Silverbell to Sweetwater. 5. Gates Pass. Steep Steep climb up: 4%-13% grade, but a blast going down the other side. Requirements Lights: Required. There will be a light inspection at check-in to verify front and rear lights are working and are sufficient for night riding. Also required are reflective vest or sash and ankle reflectors. Services Mile 0, checkpoint #1: Bathrooms available at the start.Mile19: Circle K in Coolidge. (No public bathrooms)Mile 43:Tom Mix Monument. Snacks and beverages provided. If you're getting warmed up you can give me extra clothes which you can retrieve at the finish. Please do not give me lights or extra batteries. Anything could happen on a ride like this.Mile 76, checkpoint #3:Food and services at the mall at this intersection including Oro Valley Bike Shop.Mile 85: Frys in the mall at corner of Tangerine and Thornydale.Mile 102-111: Several grocery stores on Silverbell.Mile 120, checkpoint #4: Sandwiches, snacks, and soda provided by brevet volunteer. Mile 143: Circle K in Marana.Mile 159: Dairy Queen and Picacho Peak mall. They may close at 6 pm.Mile 173: Eleven Mile Corner Rd in Eloy. Circle K. Registered Riders
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