Dificulty: Hard
Average time: 0.1875
Ride Mileage: 41 to 60 miles
Climbing Elevation: 6,879 ft
Type of ride: Climb
Road/Mountain: Road
Cycling up the Mt Lemmon Hwy in Tucson, Arizona is an epic ride and will rival some of the best climbs across the country.
You start off at about 2,557 ft surrounded by saguaro cactus and mesquite trees and climb as high as 8,198 ft to pine tree vegetation and cool air.
The road is in great shape with a bike lane for most of the ride. On the way down there is no need for a bike lane because you will be keeping up with traffic.
If you love to climb and descend this is the ride for you!
Lance Armstrong in his winter training months in preparation for Tour De France rented a cabin on the top of Mt Lemmon and would climb up the mountain to top of a long days ride. I know because I saw him on more than one occasion and even got the chance to talk to him.
To add 2.89 miles and 760 ft of climbing to the ride you can climb up to the Mt Lemmon Ski area. Just before Summerhaven toward the top of the ride turn right on Ski Run Rd.