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This story was created by #ThisIsTucson and underwritten byÌýÌýin 2023. This story was updated on March 28, 2025. Thank you for supporting theÌýlocal organizationsÌýthat support us!Ìý

Tucson is a biking city. There’s no other way to put it.

Every day, Tucsonans bike along city streetsÌýto get to work or school, pedal up Catalina Highway or through the rocky trails of Tucson Mountain Park for sport, and stroll around The Loop for fun. Tucsonans go on solo adventures or join local cycling groups just to scratch that biking itch.

But with so much biking goodness around town, it can beÌýoverwhelming to know where to start.

Whether you’re a biking beginner or someone looking to get back into riding, we’ve created a giant guide of everything you need to know about biking in Tucson.

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A lil history of biking in Tucson

Tucson has always loved the bicycle.

One of the first bike groups in the Old Pueblo — Tucson Bicycle Club — was formed in 1892, , the organization behind the annual El Tour de Tucson. The club had around 60 members who rode through Sabino Canyon.

By the 1920s, bike shops andÌýmerchants started to pop up around the state, including in Tucson withÌýRussell & Sheperd in 1929.

Cycling races gained traction, too. One of the first major documented bike races in Tucson took place in 1921, according to . The race took riders from Tucson to Phoenix for a total of over 140 miles.

By the early 1980s, a little thing called was founded and has become an annual tradition for Tucsonans and cyclists worldwide.

Now, Tucson has more bike events, repair shops and riding groups than you can count on one hand.Ìý

Places to bike in Tucson

If you’re looking for places to ride recreationally, here are a few popular spots around town for both mountain biking and road cycling. We recommend checking out the for more suggestions from local cyclists. Plus, don’t forget to check out Tucson’s interactive .

Keep in mind that these spots vary in distance, elevation and difficulty!

The Chuck Huckelberry Loop

, nicknamed The Loop, is exactly what it sounds like — a giant loop of paved pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. The entire Loop is over 100 miles, but riders don’t have to complete all 137 — youÌýcan hop on and off at any time.

Check out The Loop’s to find artwork, bike repair stations and restrooms along the route. The Loop is open from sunrise to sunset and there are around 50 parking lots around the route. Motorized vehicles and devices are prohibited. See moreÌýLoop guidelines .

Tucson Mountain Park

With our stunning mountains in Tucson, it’s not surprising that mountain biking is just as popular as road cycling. I mean, how could you not appreciate our beautiful surroundings?

on the city’s west side has numerous routes and trailsÌýthroughout its roughly 20,000 acres. Currently, the park has around 62 miles of “non-motorized shared-use trailsâ€� that are open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers, according to Pima County’s .

Some of the more popular trails in Tucson Mountain Park include theÌý, and trails, according to . Other popular routes include , Ìýand the trail system which connects to Tucson Mountain Park.

Many trails in Tucson Mountain Park (and other local mountain biking spots) stay maintained with the help of local nonprofit .Ìý

Gates Pass

If mountain biking isn’t your thing and you’re looking to stick to the streets while on the city’s west side, go for a ride through . There’s plenty of beauty to see along the way and you’ll even pass by Old Tucson and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Like manyÌýroutes in Tucson, use extra caution while riding through Gates Pass — the stretch is a main road that attracts many vehicles.

Mount Lemmon

Mount LemmonÌýoffers the best of both worldsÌý— road cycling and mountain biking. (Not to mention the change of scenery when you ascend up the mountain as it transforms from a warm, dry desert into a cool, lush forest.)

Most of the trailsÌýup, down and everywhere in between on the Lemmon are pretty advanced compared to other local trails. Think we’re exaggerating? The ascent is over 7,000 feet. 😬 But if you’re an experienced cyclist or are in good physical shape, it could be a fun experience.

Popular trails on Mount Lemmon include , Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌý³Ù³ó±ðÌý and trails. Plus, here’s a . 😎

Catalina State Park

So far, this list has included lots of spots on the west and east sides of Tucson. But what about the north side? We have you covered there, too.Ìý

Cyclists love riding through and the . The trail is around 8½ miles surrounded by stunning desert scenery, the occasional animal and bright wildflowers in spring.

Note: To ride in the 50-Year trail system, you'll need an Arizona State Land recreation permit, according to . The permit costs $15 through the Arizona State Land Department’s . It's also recommended to avoid the area after heavy rain.

Fantasy Island

Not all of Tucson’s bike trails are for advanced riders. The bike routes on the city’s southeast side are beginner- and kid-friendly.

There are over 20 trails throughout Fantasy Island. The main trail, known as the Lone Cactus Trail, is a little over 6½ miles and is the Island’s longest trail. If you complete all the trails, the total distance is about 28 miles.

Note: An Arizona State Land recreation permit is required to ride through Fantasy Island. The permit costs $15 through the Arizona State Land Department’s .

Sweetwater Preserve

The on Tucson’s west side is an 880-acre preserve where you'll find around 15 miles of trails for riders. The trails are good for beginner and intermediate levels, too.

The Sweetwater Preserve trail system is the eighth-recommended route in Arizona, according to the .

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park on Tucson’s east and west sides offers two kinds of biking experiences.

’s Cactus Forest Loop Drive gives riders more of a road-biking experience with its paved loop over eight miles.ÌýÌýoffers a six-mile gravel loop.

Note: Through the , there's a $15 entrance fee for bicyclists. If you’re a frequent rider through the parks, consider purchasing an annual pass for $45.

You can also ride at night but headlights and rear reflectors are required, per the park’s .

Local bike groups

Tucson has a bike club for just about everyone.ÌýIf you can think it, someone in Tucson probably already started a group for it.Ìý

While the term “clubâ€� can sound exclusive, many groups are open to everyone. Here are a few to check out.Ìý

BICAS

Ìý(BICAS)Ìýis a local nonprofit dedicated to “affordable bicycle transportation, education and creative recycling with our greater Tucson community,â€� according to their .

BICAS hosts a night ride that takes place on the last Monday of each month. For more information about the group, check out their .

Bicycle Ranch Tucson

offers a group ride around Tucson every Saturday morning. The ride is roughly 56 miles and fairly fast-paced at a rate between 18-22 mph. The shop is currently looking for riders to lead slower-paced rides, too.

“All store rides are designed to promote the enjoyment of cycling in a friendly group atmosphere,� their website . For more information about the group, check out their .

Cactus Cycling Club

hosts multiple rides around Tucson each week. Some of the popular routes go along The Loop or in Saguaro National Park and Mount Lemmon.Ìý

Note: Cactus Cycling Club requires aÌý$15 monthly membership, $30 for an annual membership or $50 for an annual family membership for three people. If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full membership, try their free trial membership.

The club also gives back through the Adopt-a-Highway program and donates to a local bike organization every year. For more information about the club, check out their .

Civano Cycling Club

The typically meets at Civano Boulevard and Drexel Road on Tucson’s southeast side. The club welcomes all cycling enthusiasts.

Expect to ride through places like Saguaro National Park East and Fantasy Island. The group also participates in local biking events like El Tour de Tucson.

For more information about the club, check out their .

El Grupo Youth Cycling

is focused on empowering local youth ages 12-18 through bicycles. On average, the organization serves around 200 people annually through its programs and summer bike camp, according to El Grupo’s .ÌýThe organization also has a group for younger kiddos, called El Grupito!

El Grupo also hosts an annual fall ride to help further their mission. For more information, check out their .

Fair Wheel Bikes

Local shop hosts Ìýon Tuesdays and Saturdays.Ìý

Fair Wheel Bikes has been around for five decades and under the same ownership for over 40 years. For more information, check out their .

FUGA

Ìý(FUGA) is a local grassroots coalition bringing bike accessibility to Tucson’s south and west sides. FUGA hosts — one on Tucson’s west side on the second Sunday of the month and one on the south side on the last Friday of the month.

The coalition was founded in 2018 and has hosted numerous bike rides with riders of all ages.

“We started realizing that we needed a coalition of folks that knew how to represent their community, their barrio, their streets, because we’re from them,� FUGA co-founder Vanessa Gallego told in 2022.

For more information about the coalition, check out their .

Greater Arizona Bicycling Association

The Ìý(GABA) is one of the largest bike clubs in Tucson and Southern Arizona. According to its page, the club has around 1,700 members. But don’t fret — not all 1,700 members are going on the same ride at once.

GABA hosts weekly rides with various difficulty levels through different parts of town. They even offer overnight rides during certain times of the year. On top of their bike club, the organization advocates for “bicycle riding for recreation, fitness, and transportation� and bike education and repair, according to their .

For more information about the club, check out their .

Project Bike Club

is another Tucson club centered around local youth, setting them up with bike skills they can use throughout their lives. The goal is for riders to build confidence while biking in a non-competitive environment.

The organization offers a 12-week after-school for $600 and a summer bike club program for $500. If you’re looking for something short-term, Project Bike Club also hosts weekend trail rides once a month for $40.

For more information about the club, check out their .

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists

Local nonprofitÌý promotes mountain biking in ways that are deemed environmentally and socially responsible.

The organization hosts numerous mountain biking events and group rides every month, including rides where the group contributes to trail maintenance and clean-up, which helps keep routes accessible for all.

start at $40 per person or $60 for families. For more information, check out their .

Tucson Women Shredders

is a local women’s mountain biking group that goes on monthly bike rides through Tucson Mountain Park and Catalina State Park.Ìý

In addition to the monthly rides, the group also participates in trail maintenance days and goes on mountain biking trips to places like Patagonia and Greer. Tucson Women Shredders is WTF (women, trans, femme) friendly, too!

“We've been trying to get more people involved from different backgrounds because mountain biking in the last 10 years was a heavily male-dominated sport,� Sarita Mendez, a ride leader and communications coordinator for the group told in 2022.

For more information about the group, check out their page.

Tuesday Night Ride

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If you ask almost anyone in Tucson about local ride groups, chances are they’ll tell you about the . The ride is one of the largest weekly bike gatherings in Tucson, with dozens participating in the event that was started over 15 years ago.

The group meets at 8:30 p.m. at the flagpole near Old Main on the University of Arizona campus. For more information, check out their .

Bike tours

Whether you’re new to town or a Tucson native, local bike tours are a great way to learn more about the city’s art, food, history and culture. Here are some tours you can find around town.

Taco Bike Tour

offers three different tours including one all about tacos. The tour takes riders to 3-4 different Mexican restaurants on the city’s south side where they can taste birria, asada and short rib tacos.

The taco tour is around 10 miles long and takes about 2½ hours to complete. It costs $75 and includes “a local guide, fitted bicycle, helmet, water in a reusable bottle, a Sonoran hot dog and up to five tacos,� according to Tucson Bike Tours’ .

Mural Bike Tour

’ mural tour rides through neighborhoods filled with locals' favorite type of art — murals. Expect to see about 35 murals.

The $55 mural tour is around seven miles long and takes a little over two hours to complete.Ìý

Historic Bike Tour

Tucson’s rich history is explored on this , as riders venture through historic areas such as Barrio Viejo, downtown Tucson and the Presidio District.

The $55 historic tour is around eight miles long and takes a little over two hours to complete.

Home Grown Mountain Biking Tours

Unlike traditional road biking tours, offers guided mountain biking tours and exhibitions through Southern Arizona. They often head up to Mount Lemmon in their bright-red shuttle and ride through some of the popular trails in the area.

Typical rides are about 18 miles long and take over four hours to complete. Rides cost $35 per rider and there is a four-rider minimum.

Bike shops in Tucson

An essential part of safe rides? Making sure your bike is in good condition and regularly serviced. These shops can help. (They're also around if you're looking to treat yourself to a new ride.)

Ajo Bikes

,Ìý, carries a wide selection of bikes including mountain bikes, BMX bikes, electric bikes, recumbent trikes, kids bikes and more. The shop also offers parts and repair services. They even have pick-up and delivery options if you can’t get your bike over to the shop.

Ajo Bikes has kept Tucson’s bike community rolling for over 40 years. For more information, visit their .

BICAS

Looking to fix your own bike but need help figuring out how? ,Ìý., is a great place to start.Ìý

The organization’s Ìýprogram allows locals to use the shop and its tools for repairs with sliding-scale pricing. BICAS also offers a where you can help around the shop to earn store credit and there are several bike maintenance to help you learn how to keep your ride in tip-top shape.

And if you’re looking for a new-to-you ride, BICAS sells for around $200-$600.

For more information about BICAS, visit their .

Bicycle Ranch Tucson

Find everything from road to BMX bikes at ,Ìý. They also carry bike parts, car racks, accessories and clothing.

In addition to the shop, Bicycle Ranch Tucson offers bike repair services, including a complete tune-up starting at $100.

Bicycle Ranch was founded in Scottsdale and later expanded to Tucson. For more information, visit their .

Broadway Bicycles

,Ìý., is a family-owned bike shop that has served Tucson for almost 50 years.

The shop sells a variety of bikes and also offers general repairs and maintenance packages. Plus, when you purchase a new bike from them, you get the first tune-up for free.

For more information about Broadway Bicycles, visit their .

Copper Spoke Cycles

,Ìý, wants to eliminate the intimidation of shopping for bikes by making community members feel at home.

The shop offers everything from bikes to parts to shoes to clothing. The best part? Copper Spoke Cycles also allows customers to purchase items online and pick them up at the shop.

For more information about Copper Spoke Cycles, visit their .

Fair Wheel Bikes

, ,Ìýhas been a Tucson staple since the early 1970s.

“We are most well-known for specializing in high-end exotic road bikes,� they say on their . The shop sells complete bicycles along with parts needed to build your own bike or fix up your current ride.

For more information about Fair Wheel Bikes, visit their .

Hello Bicycle

Get your bicycle repaired, then stop by the shop's adjacent cafe for a cup of coffee. ,Ìý, offers tune-ups andÌýsuspension services, plus bikes for sale.

For more information, visit their .

JJ Bicycles

JJ Bicycles, .,Ìýis an independent bike shop that offers repair and maintenance services along with parts and accessories for your bike.

For more information about JJ Bicycles, give them a call at 520-882-8858.

Pima Street Bicycle

The shop mechanic atÌý,Ìý,Ìýhas 35 years of experience in mechanics, helping customers get back on their bikes safely and in a timely manner.

For more information about Pima Street Bicycle, check out their .

Roadrunner BicyclesÌý

,Ìý, is a family-owned bike shop that’s served Tucson for nearly 20 years. The shop offers bikes, repair and maintenance services, plus rentals.ÌýRepair services range between $15 for brake adjustments to $74.99 for tune-ups.

Additionally, Roadrunner Bicycles hosts community events like social rides and maintenance classes to keep the community connected and educated about everything cycling.Ìý

For more information about Roadrunner Bicycles, check out their .

Sabino Cycles

,Ìý,Ìýhas served the local cycling community for 30 years.Ìý

The shop offers numerous bike repair and service packages to keep your bike riding smoothly, including a safety check for $45.

For more information about Sabino Cycles, visit their .

Transit Cycles

,Ìý,Ìýis a woman-owned and -operated bicycle shop.

The shop’s owner, Jenna, has been a professional bicycle mechanic for around 20 years, according to Transit Cycles’ . The shop also hosts an annual bicycle scavenger ride and food drive in support of Tucson Food Share for the holiday season.

For more information about Transit Cycles, check out their .

Tucson Bicycle Service

,Ìý, is a full-service bicycle repair shop owned and operated by two certified bike mechanics. The shop has a sales department, too, so customers can buy both parts and bikes.

“Everything we sell is approved by a certified mechanic and we stand behind every product we sell. After all, we're mechanics, we know what works and what's not worth buying... Because things that always break are lame and we would rather not even sell them,� they state on their .

For more information, visit their .

Tucson Endurance Performance Center

,Ìý andÌý, is a veteran-owned shop focused on road cycling, mountain biking, triathlon and coaching, according to their .

The shop also offers bike fitting services.

For more information, check out their .

Bike events

Tucson bike groups, shops and other organizations regularly host smaller cycling events. But if you’re looking for a large-scale bike event, Tucson is home to a couple of them.

El Tour de Tucson

was founded 40 years ago by Perimeter Bicycling and has since become what they dub to be “one of the largest bicycling events in America.â€�Ìý

During the first El Tour de Tucson in the early 1980s, the event had 200 riders and raised around $4,500. Now, an average of 6,000 riders participate in the annual event and the organization has raised millions of dollars for charities, according to their .

“I don’t really do much racing because of the risk factor,â€� Noah Anastassatos, the 2023 El Tour de Tucson winner, told the ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV. “But this is one of the safer ones honestly, so that’s why I came back. It’s safe and it’s fast.â€�

Cyclovia Tucson

is a car-free open-streets event hosted by local nonprofit Living Streets Alliance.Ìý

The event “temporarily re-purposes our public streets to be more inclusive of all people,â€� according to their . Unlike El Tour de Tucson, Cyclovia is not a race and is instead a car-free street party where participants can walk, bike, skate and dance through the route.Ìý

However you participate in Cyclovia, Living Streets Alliance hopes participants will be able to connect with Tucson streets in a way they haven’t been able to before.

Other biking resources in Tucson

Homestretch Foundation

The is a local nonprofit providing “free temporary housing and other support for working women living or earning below the poverty line, with a focus on women who have careers in endurance sports,� according to their .

The organization was founded in 2016 by professional cyclist, writer and filmmaker Kathryn Bertine.

In the organization's first several seasons, they have helped 81 women and seven menÌýfrom 17 countries who participate in five different sports.

For more information about the Homestretch Foundation, check out their .

Living Streets Alliance

Ìýworks to make Tucson’s streets safer and more accessible for the community.

One of their visions is to remove “barriers to mobility and use lighter, quicker, cheaper projects and open streets events to imagine and try out street transformations with the community,� according to their .

They are also the organization that hosts the biannual event. For more information, check out their .

Tucson Off-Road Cyclists and Activists

is a local mountain biking organization dedicated to promoting the sport and protecting and maintaining local trails.

They also promote “responsible riding, ethical behavior and diversity among the mountain biking community through example, education and encouragement of riders,� according to their .

For more information about TORCA, check out their .

Tugo Bike Share

You’ve probably seen the banana-yellow bikes stationed in various spots around Tucson as part of the program.

The bike rental program provides 330 bikes and 41 stations across 13 neighborhoods. Riders can buy a pass online (or at one of Tugo’s kiosks) to rent a bike. For more information, check out their .

Bike-friendly eateries and breweries

Several Tucson eateries frequently host bike rides, including , and .

is also known for their love of cycling, with its bike-centric decor, proximity to The Loop and tools available in case anyone's bike needs a fix.

is another bike-friendly spot, complete with bike racks and loaner locks for anyone who forgets theirs.Ìý

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