Date:  Saturday, October 4, 2025

Distance: 121 miles

Start Time: 6:00 AM
There will be a mass start at 6 AM and announcements and time for questions at 5:55.

Start Location: Best Western Plus, Stafford (Get directions)

Time Limit: 12:56 hours

Sunrise:  5:17 AM
Sunset:  7:30 PM

Cost: $15 All riders must pre register. There is no day-of-event registration.

RUSA sanctioned.

WAIVER NOTE: You will be automatically directed to the online waiver after you submit your PayPal payment. If you are not automatically directed to the online waiver after your pay, you may press the "Return to Merchant" button to sign the waiver. The online waiver may also be found at tinyurl.com/AZBrevetWaiver.

REGISTRATION NOTE: Once you are registered for a ride, you will see your name in the Registered Riders tab. It may take a day or so for it to appear. Registered riders WILL be sent a "Last Minute Notes" email the day after registration closes, normally the Thursday before the ride. If you do not receive it, please let me know. Also, check your spam folder for the email.

RIDE VERIFICATION: All of these events are sanctioned by Randonneurs USA (RUSA). As such, all of them will be verified using approved RUSA methods. Click HERE to see the details of available options for AZ Radonneurs' events.

Description

The White Mountains of AZ are a stark contrast to what most riders think about when they think about Arizona. This is a challenging route, as are all of the 8k600 routes. It officially has 8000 meters of climbing over 600km. The time allowed for completion is also only 40 hours. Efficiency will be key to making the time cutoff.

With that said, the White Mountains are a gem to ride. The population density is quite low and the elevations reach 9400’. There are resources available to refuel and lodging options available based upon one’s own preferences for how to split the route.

The ride starts in the mining town of Safford in the high-ish desert. Leaving early to beat the potential heat will be a must. Once you start rising to the higher elevations, the temperatures should be pleasant. Most of the route will remain at high elevations. Nights can still be cold at these elevations and riders should plan for that.

You will enter New Mexico at mile 53 while in the Apache National Forest. The climbing to get up to the pines is mostly gentle, but long. The roads are graded nicely and not too steep. On your way to the highest elevations, you’ll make a detour to Reserve, NM. There is a fantastic restaurant just before you make the turn to Reserve if you feel like treating yourself. Once in Reserve, it's time to rest and get ready for tomorrow's climbing.

Apache National Forest

Directions to the start

Location: Best Western Plus, Stafford

Address: Best Western Plus
450 Entertainment Ave, Safford, AZ 85546

Phone: 928.348.9400

Google map:Click HERE

Directions:  Just off Hwy 70 E in Safford, AZ

 

 

Route Map

View  RWGPS online map here

High elevation climbing will be on the agenda!

Cue sheets may be downloaded and printed by riders if they wish. Cue sheets will NOT be passed out at the start. Make sure you have a cue sheet as a backup in case your GPS fails.

(Excel sheet is not available.)

Download cue sheet (pdf)

Elevation Profile

This is Day 1 of the 8k600 route with 8000m (28,000') of climbing over a 600 km distance. You'll have more time to enjoy the beauty. White Mountains sampler the hard way!

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

This route is very remote in a couple areas and riders must plan accordingly for:
1) Food & water
2) Clothing - due to elevation differences
3) Overnight lodging

The RWGPS and cue sheet list the areas where resources are reliably available. There will be few other places to find food/water/lodging.

Accommodations - Accommodations are the rider's responsibility so that you may choose your price and overnight options. The route lists areas where overnight accommodations are available on-route.

0 Registered Riders.

No registered riders at this time.