Arizona cyclists voted in an epic social media battle to determine the best road bike rides in Arizona, and Mt. Lemmon reigned supreme, followed by Mt. Graham and Mingus Mountain. The longest climb in the state, Mt. Lemmon boasts an elevation gain of nearly 6,000 feet with one HC climb and two category-5 ascents all just steps away from Tucson. Thanks to all riders who voted in the Best Arizona Cycling Route Challenge.

Best Arizona Cycling Routes and Road Bike Rides with maps:

#1

Description: This favorite of Arizona cyclists is known for its hill climb. It is the longest climb in the state, taking riders up Mt. Lemmon by means of Catalina Highway.

• Distance: 56.58 miles
• Location: Tucson
• Climbs: HC, two 5s
• Elevation Gain: 5,961 feet
• Top out Elevation: 8,206 feet
• Why you love it: “Mt. Lemmon is Arizona’s quintessential ride for a lot of reasons,” said Lynn Orchard, Tucson resident and rider for Tolero Racing. “It’s a hors categorie climb that provides a rare combination of sustained climbing, excellent road surface, spectacular vistas, and importantly, an escape from the 100+ summer temps in Tucson. One of the best parts of Lemmon is that it a world class climb right in our backyard. Its an easy ride to the base from anywhere in town. If you are so inclined you can ride Lemmon every day. You can make a quick trip to Molino Basin before work, or you can grind up to Windy Point after work to catch the sunset.”

#2

Description: This ride takes cyclists up one of the highest mountains in the state. From the desert floor to the mountain’s peak, this ride is a challenge with nearly 8,000 feet of climbing!

• Distance: 39.72 miles
• Location: Safford
• Climbs: HC, 1, 3
• Elevation Gain: 7,947 feet
• Top out Elevation: 9,637 feet
• Why you love it: “It’s the whole experience that makes it special,” said Sean McCormack, fourth year racer and San Tan Racing rider living in Buckeye. “The difficulty, the switchbacks, the trees, etc. It lets you imagine that’s what it’s like to do the big climbs in the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees that most of us only see on TV. There’s a reason that’s the state championship hill climb, and I don’t think anyone that has ridden it could think of a better place to fight for a polka-dot jersey.”

#3

Description: This route provides cyclists with a challenge and a view. While making a variety of climbs, a few easy and some difficult, cyclists are provided with a fantastic view of Verde Valley, which looks especially beautiful during the month of October.

• Distance: 91.39 miles
• Location: Cottonwood                 
• Climbs: 1, 4, three 5s                       
• Elevation Gain: 5,788 feet                      
• Top out Elevation: 7,053 feet 

#4

Description: This route can be as long or as short as a rider chooses to make it, as there are various pit stops along the way. The bulk of the course takes cyclists through the Superstition Mountains providing cyclists with breathtaking scenery.

• Distance: 90.33 miles
• Location: East Mesa
• Climbs: 1, two 3s, two 5s
• Elevation Gain: 4,628 feet
• Top out Elevation: 2,839 feet
• Why you love it:  “Once you hit the ramps into Canyon Lake it really feels like you’re in a different world,” said Jake Spelman, five-year cyclist and Gilbert resident riding for Athlete Octane. “Living in Gilbert, it’s great to know that there’s real climbs and descents not too far away.”

#5

Description: This ride circles Kitt Peak National Observatory and out to west Tucson-Ajo Highway and can be up to more than 100 miles in length if started from the heart of Tucson. This course combines a low, flat road ride and a difficult, steep climb up Kitt Peak.

• Distance: 108.07 miles
• Location: Kitt Peak
• Climbs: 1
• Elevation Gain: 4,942 feet
• Top out Elevation: 6,812 feet

#6

Description: With 6,000 feet of climbing, the ascents are plenty and of a variety. This route crosses Seven Springs, down to Bartlett Lake and back.

• Distance: 76.68 miles
• Location: Scottsdale
• Climbs: Two 2s, two 4s, three 5s
• Elevation Gain: 4,967 feet
• Top out Elevation: 3,592 feet
• Why you love it:  “My favorite group ride in the Valley is BOS and I like to ride out to Seven Springs as part of that ride,” said Sally Aston, a five-year cyclist and rider for Bicycle Haus who lives in Goodyear. “It’s a fun out-and-back that adds some miles. I’ve only done the ride out to Bartlett Lake once and I loved it because it’s hilly and pretty. I love climbing!”

#7

Description: This short loop provides cyclists with a variety of wild plant life and cacti giving it the title of one of the prettiest routes in the Tucson area. This route has a few sharp turns and a long climb that goes on for more than a mile.

• Distance: 8.07 miles
• Location: Tucson                      
• Climbs: 5                          
• Elevation Gain: 323 feet                       
• Top out Elevation: 3,227 feet
• Why you love it:  “At Saguaro East National Park you are surrounded by saguaros and incredible views all the way around the eight-mile loop,” said Dan Gabalski, a 20-year bike enthusiast and ex-resident of Tucson, currently living in Flagstaff. “The loop is one way and the terrain is perfect for riding. [It has] rollers, a steady climb, fast descents and lots of curves. Sunset rides are absolutely amazing with the views over the Tucson lights and all this for a $25 yearly pass. I love it so much I’ve donated extra money there many times.”

#8

#9

Description: This route takes riders around the McDowell Sonoran Preserve though Fountain Hills and and up and down various rolling climbs.