New to Tucson? Visiting Tucson and want to do some cycling?  In town for the El Tour de Tucson next week and want to get some miles in before the big day? 

Or have you heard locals say,

"You should ride the loop...or the cave...or to the store......or Pistol Hill?! 

Then you have come to the right place for information on a great day ride on Tucson's eastside!

So here's what you do:

Either drive and park at 22nd and Houghton - or cycle there.

From there - ride about 3 miles east and you'll see Saguaro National Monument, aka, "The Loop".  It's an 8 mile loop around some pretty cool Tucson scenery.  Throw in a few hills - well, okay - there are 2 miles of some pretty intense uphill riding -but in the end, you've got some pretty decent interval training under your bike cleats.

Not enough miles?

Leave The Loop- keep going east - about 5 or 6 miles down the road - which is a little hill climbing, some flats and downhills.  At some point, you'll see The Rincon Country Store, aka "The Store".  They open early, have good eats and coffee and tons of snacks.  They even sell gas - if you look closely in the picture - you'll see the price for gas out there is $2.29 - not bad.

Still not enough miles?!!!

Keep on going from The Store about another 6 or 7 miles.  At that point, you'll start seeing signs for Colossal Cave National Park, aka: "The Cave"!  

But wait, if you've gone that far - right before The Cave- hang a right on Pistol Hill Road, go about 3/4 mile uphill and you have now ridden to Pistol Hill.  It's essentially Pistol Hill Road in Vail, Arizona and a hill - here is a photo of the road and the hill in the background!

Why do I think this is a pretty decent ride?  I rode it today and thought "this is great" because of:

#1)    35 - 40 miles of uninterrupted - "no traffic lights" - cycling!

#2)    Varied terrain - flats, hills, downhills - just like what you'll experience in the El Tour de Tucson.

#3)    I am just an average cyclist - if I can do it - pretty much anyone who has been riding a little can!

#4)    Motorists are used to seeing cyclists on this route so they are very courteous and likely won't run you over, push you off the road (cycle raging I call it!) or slam on their horns until they have passed you by.

#5)    You can stop at the Loop and Store for water and restrooms - just in case you need it or would rather not use the nice desert brush along the roadside (oh yeah - if you cycle - you've been there!)  Just remember to bring some money!

#6)    Tucson Real Estate!  No kidding - there are many beautiful new and recently developed home subdivisions all along Old Spanish Trail Road all the way out to Pistol Hill Road!  To name a few, Spanish Trail Estates, Wild Horse Ranch Estates, Rancho Del Jefe, Rocking K Ranch Estates, Mountain Creek and many more fine homes ranged price from the upper $300s to "whatever you want to spend"!  If you want more information or photos about these or any other homes in the area - please email me at info@GabrielleRhind.com or rhindohana@msn.com or call me at 520.245.0242.

Happy Cycling and Good Luck in the 2008 El Tour De Tucson on Saturday, November 22nd!

Copyright Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, protected by COPYSCAPE 2008. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com . Buying or selling Tucson Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you!