My family and I participated in the annual Tumacacori Century ride (as well as a 64 and 24 mile course) sponsored by the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA) of Tucson in the town of Sahuarita, Arizona, just a few miles outside the Tucson city limits. It was a cold, dark morning but die-hard cyclists along with the casual rider, hundreds of us, were out signing up and ready to ride!
The Tumacacori Century is rumored to be one of the best "pre- El Tour " rides for all cycling levels- and since it was being hosted in Rancho Sahuarita, considered "one of the best master-planned communities" in Tucson - I thought I would check out a local real estate hot spot - while cycling in a very popular Tucson ride!
The very family-oriented community of Rancho Sahuarita seems to be minimally affected by the current real estate market - especially commercial development. Cycling around, I noticed at least 13 new businesses getting ready to open their doors. Home prices range from the low $130's to the high $360's.
The ride started and finished at Sahuarita Elementary School. I rode tandem with my 8 year old daughter and right after we started, it quickly became clear how many sites and amenities are within a short distance of the Rancho Sahuarita community! We peddled past the Santa Cruz River, pecan fields, enjoyed yummy snacks at a rest stop by two famous restaurants - the Cow Palace and the Longhorn Grill:
When we left the "cow stops" (as my daughter proudly named it), we headed towards Tubac, Arizona that touts many ranch homes and I was pleased to note many new home subdivisions as well! I also took a minute to take some snapshots of the nice architecture and colors of homes being built to complement the terrific mountain views.
Our turn-around point was the entrance of Tumacacori National Historic Park - ruins of 3 early Spanish colonial missions on 47 acres of southern Arizona. The oldest and best preserved of the three, San Jose de Tumacacori, has been preserved here since 1916. Thanks to GABA, we enjoyed many fine snacks - Oreos, sandwiches, scones, Gatorade, bananas, oranges, M&Ms, energy bars, juice - you name it - it was probably there!
Coming back into the town of Sahuarita, I noticed several grocery stores, mall areas, a town "hot spot" centered around the town lake where the community gathers for weekly and annual events (including a tri-athlete qualifier that hundreds of individuals flock to every year) and a terrific July 4th celebration open to not only the community - but anyone in the city of Tucson! One thing I did not notice that was a little "unfamiliar" - the community does not have those popular convenience stores most cities have. Rather, the community has their own branded corner stops!
In the end, the ride and sites around Rancho Sahuarita really did have it all - food, stable real estate market, family-oriented community and event, abundance of shops, restaurants, sites - and the rumor about the GABA Tumacacori ride proved itself true - the best ride that has everything - for every types of cyclists - including those that still ride in jeans - strapped at the ankle!
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