Following the route of the Fair Wheel Racing Team's weekly Tuesday ride, this 35-mile loop begins just west of the University of Arizona campus and rolls west on flat city streets. You'll warm up on mellow terrain along the Ajo Highway before turning west on Kinney Road. It's here, just before mile 10, where the Fair Wheel group's weekly ride kicks into gear—there aren't any traffic lights or stop signs west of here to slow them down. Rolling terrain through Tucson Mountain Park precedes an optional 7.8-mile loop around the base of Brown Mountain that heads west at mile 15.4.
The eastbound stretch along Gates Pass Road is mellow until the final narrow, winding climb that steepens as it approaches the summit. The grade hits 13 percent just before the pass and a mountain overlook; consider stopping if you're not trying to keep up with the Fair Wheel crowd. From the Gates summit, there's a scenic canyon descent that blurs past saguaros and other native cacti on the ride back to town.
The weekly ride time varies between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Tuesday mornings call Fairwheel Bikes to check the start time; (520) 884-9018.
-Mapped by Scott Morris, TopoFusion.com
TO TRAILHEAD: This ride departs from the western end of the University of Arizona campus at the intersection of University Blvd. and Park Ave.
FGP001
Location: 32.227523, -110.954576
Fairwheel Bike Shop organizes daily training rides including this Tuesday route and the Saturday Shootout. Though they specialize in high-end road bikes, the shop offers services for all bikes.
FGP002
Location: 32.231571, -110.959339
This route (and the weekly group ride) begins at the western end of the University of Arizona campus. Most riders congregate in the parking lot of the Starucks on University Boulevard and Euclid Avenue.
FGP003
Location: 32.193047, -111.104565
Entering Tucson Mountain Park, this route begins a series of persistent rollers. By this point the Fair Wheel pack will be in full race-pace mode, but without traffic lights and signs to slow things down, even casual rides will likely speed up on this stretch.
FGP004
Location: 32.221370, -111.132374
At mile 15.4, this mapped route turns west for a 7.8-mile add-on known as McCain Loop. The lollipop loop makes a counterclockwise ring around the base of Brown Mountain.
FGP005
Location: 32.247506, -111.169174
McCain Loop tops out near mile 20, just before the entrance to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. This turn marks the beginning of the return trip.
FGP006
Location: 32.220498, -111.111689
Though the climb oficially begins about a mile before this point at the turn onto Gates Pass Road, it's here that the road really turns uphill. Riding with the Tuesday crowd? Expect the serious attacks to start soon, and brace yourself for the last super-steep stretch to the pass about a mile ahead.
FGP007
Location: 32.223149, -111.101475
If beating your personal best isn't important, pull into a parking lot at the top of Gates Pass to enjoy a scenic view of the Tucson Mountains.
Ajo Highway
Location: 32.177501, -111.046457
Ajo Highway has a wide shoulder, but be careful riding next to high speed traffic.
© Tyler Ford, <a href=http://roadbikerides.com>roadbikerides.com</a>
Paceline
Location: 32.221733, -111.120615
Pacelining the flat stretch of Gates Pass Road before the climb to the pass.
© Tyler Ford, <a href=http://roadbikerides.com>roadbikerides.com</a>
Gates Pass Ahead
Location: 32.221007, -111.114264
Heading east after the McCain Loop, the looming peaks of Gates Pass foreshadow this route's biggest climb.
© Tyler Ford, <a href=http://roadbikerides.com>roadbikerides.com</a>
Canyon Views
Location: 32.219918, -111.100230
The west side of Gates Pass affords expansive views. © Scott Morris
Final Push
Location: 32.221515, -111.100960
The last stretch of the push to the summit of Gates Pass. © Tyler Ford, <a href=http://roadbikerides.com>roadbikerides.com</a>
Tuscon Views
Location: 32.222822, -111.099887
The climb pays off with big views. © Scott Morris
Descent
Location: 32.225581, -111.086884
The race-pace Tuesday crowd on the Gates Pass Descent. © Tyler Ford, <a href=http://roadbikerides.com>roadbikerides.com</a>
Desert Canyon Climb
Location: 32.232697, -111.053410
A view of the route's final climb before the return to town. © Scott Morris
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