Date: Saturday, February 16, 2008
Distance: 190 miles
Start Time: 6:00 AM. There will be a mass start at 6 AM and announcements and time for questions at 5:45.
Start Location: At the parking lot at the corner of Florence Street and 3rd Street in downtown Casa Grande, Arizona. (Show directions)
Time Limit: 20 hours
Begin twilight: 7:03 AM Sunrise: 7:30 AM,
Begin twilight: 6:51 AM Sunrise: 7:16 AM,
Sunset: 6:07 PM End civil twilight: 6:32 PM
Moonrise: 8:40 AM Moonset: 9:04 PM; Moon is almost full.
Cost: $20.00 All riders must pre-register. (No day of event registration.) ACP & RUSA sanctioned.

Download Cue Sheet

Starting in Historic Downtown 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 to Avra Valley Rd and eventually 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.

Elevation Profile

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. Checkpoint #3 at Bryan and Jennifer's house (Tucson).
5. Turn from Silverbell to Sweetwater.
6. Gates Pass. Steep climb up: 4%-13% grade, but a blast going down the other side.

3883 feet of climbing.
Minimum/maximum elevation: 1386 / 3623 feet above sea level

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.

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: Informational checkpoint. No services here. If you need a bike shop, don't take the right onto Vistoso Commerce Loop and into the checkpoint but instead continue on Oracle Rd. Oro Valley Bike Shop is in the shopping mall at the next major intersection on your right.

About mile 89: Bashes and Starbucks in the mall at Dove Mountain Rd.

Mile 102-111: Several grocery stores on Silverbell.

Mile 120, checkpoint #4: Sandwiches, snacks, and soda provided.

Mile 132: Convenience stores at corner of Sandario and Picture Rocks Rd. I like the one on the right just beyond the intersection.

Mile 143: Circle K in Marana.

Mile 159: Dairy Queen and Picacho Peak mall. They may close at 6 pm.

Mile 180, checkpoint #5: Volunteer staffed, with snacks and water.