Date: Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27, 2008
Distance: 380 miles
Start time: 5:00 AM. There will be a mass start at 5 AM and announcements and time for questions at 4:45.
Start location: At the parking lot at the corner of Florence Street and 3rd Street in downtown Casa Grande, Arizona. (Show directions) Bathrooms are available at the start.
Time limit: 40 hours
Begin twilight: 5:26 AM Sunrise: 5:52 AM,
Sunset: 7:00 PM End civil twilight: 7:26 PM
Moonrise: 6:42 PM Saturday Moonset: 5:39 AM Saturday; Moon is full.
Cost: $55. Includes breakfast checkpoint Saturday morning in Marana (mile 44), food checkpoint in Elgin (mile 162), dinner and sleep stop Saturday evening in Elgin (mile 230), breakfast Sunday morning in Elgin, roving vehicle support, and drop bag service. All riders must pre-register. There is no day-of-event registration.
ACP & RUSA sanctioned.

Download Cue Sheet

This route is out and back between Casa Grande and Tombstone.

Terrain: Of all the Casa Grande brevets, this one has the most climbing. However, at under 10,000 feet in two days, it's not exactly Colorado.

The ride starts on the flat, desert plain in Casa Grande, travels past Picacho Peak and into the agricultural fields of Marana. From there the road turns choppy like ocean waves as we wind around Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. It's a virtual saguaro and cactus forest. After that we're only on the streets of Tucson for a short time before entering the Tohono O'odham reservation and traveling past the mines.

As we leave Tucson and the reservation behind, we climb over huge rollers from about 2,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level to get to Sonoita. We're in the grasslands now. Not a saguaro in sight, just golden grass and grazing cattle. This is Arizona's wine country. In fact, you'll have to pass at least 4 wineries to get to the Elgin checkpoint.

Elgin and Sonoita are the sleep stops, but it's too early in the day to stop now. Go on to Tombstone. I've included an optional 2 mile loop through the western town. Towns people dress in period clothes and give stagecoach rides. I hear there are even public hangings on special occasions. Tombstone is the turnaround point and so you get to see everything one more time on your way back. Ride back to the Elgin checkpoint and have dinner with us.

Elevation Profile

1. Saguaro National Park
2. Mission Road
3. Sonoita and Elgin
4. Tombstone (turnaround)
5. Sonoita and Elgin
6. Helmet Peak Rd
7. Saguaro National Park

9872 feet of climbing.
Minimum/maximum elevation: 1398 / 5127 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.

Accomodations - The Elgin Club just outside Sonoita will serve as a checkpoint both going to Tombstone and returning. On your way out to Tombstone we'll be serving sandwiches and snacks. On your way back from Tombstone, we'll have dinner waiting for you.

Sleeping at the Elgin Club checkpoint You may sleep at the Elgin Club. We can offer floor space, bathrooms (hot water, but no showers). Bring a sleeping bag and a pad. (There is bag drop service.)

For an even more outdoor experience, there's a large field around the building where one could pitch a tent or sleep outside. However, keep in mind that thunderstorms are common in the late afternoon and evening in April. Temperatures at night are typically 40 degrees.

More details on the Elgin Club here.

Hotels The Sonoita Inn is no longer an option this year since they require a two night minimum stay due to the horse show. If the Elgin Club sounds a bit too rough, the nearest hotel is the Best Western in Tombstone. The hotel is about 195 miles into the ride and within a mile of the Tombstone checkpoint. Riders typically arrive in Tombstone between 6 pm and 11 pm Saturday night. If you stay overnight in Tombstone, you must arrive at the Elgin Club by 5:44 am Sunday morning. It's 34 miles from Tombstone to the Elgin Club. The hotel is an official Support Point and riders may meet their support crew at the hotel.

The 'bike till you drop' strategy: I suggest you stay overnight rather than ride through. The route is very remote. Services are few and far between and are closed from 8 pm to 5 or 6 am. If you get lost or have mechanical difficulties, there will be no passing traffic at that hour and no houses or businesses where you can get help. If you ride past the sleep stop, be prepared to carry food and water for 70 miles.

Drop bag service: Bags will be delivered to the Elgin Club. You are limited to one duffel bag (the size of the RUSA duffel bag), sleeping bag and pad. Nothing that looks like luggage will be accepted.

Wake up service: If you're staying at the Elgin Club tell the checkpoint person what time you want to wake up.