Arizona’s South Mountain / Bisbee Loop – 2013

Tour
  • Tour Leader: Warner Griswold, 775-825-1938 (h), 1-775-843-3960 (c), jwarner-griswold@att.net.
  • Tour Dates: November 2nd – November 16th, 2013
  • Tour Participant Numbers: Min. 18, Max. 24. (Max. # will not be increased)
  • Tour Rating: Advanced.
  • Tour Fee: $1,200.00 Cdn
  • Registration and Participant Selection: Registration opens April 17h at 1700h, PDT (5:00 p.m.), and is accomplished on-line ( http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g) for a cost of $2.00 (non-refundable). Participant selection will follow the “CCCTS Tour Participant Selection Policy and Procedures”. Successful applicants will be CCCTS members selected on the basis of date-of-receipt of registration; their fitness, health and cycling skills in relation to the Tour’s “advanced” rating; and on rooming arrangements (double occupancy couples or same sex roommates unless otherwise agreed to). Within 48 hours of an applicant’s acceptance, the Tour Leader will contact participants by phone and E-mail. Successful applicants will have 72 hours to make their first fee deposit ($600.00), on-line ( http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g); the final payment ($600.00) will be paid on-line by August 15th. Those canceling the Tour will incur costs made or committed on their behalf unless vacancies are filled.

    Queries regarding cycling abilities in relation to health and safety should be directed to the Tour Leader prior to registering. If you e-mail Warner, you may request that he call you from the US. Once the tour is full, applicants may join the wait list at no charge by contacting Warner, but please note, you are expected to inform him if you no longer want to be considered for the Tour

    Description:
    This Tour takes place in the southern half of sunny Arizona, much of which is in the Sonoran Desert, and the high range country of eastern Arizona. Climate in November is arid and sunny with less than 1” (2.5cm) of ppt. expected, and 24 days will likely be sunny or partially sunny: average high/low daily temperatures are 76°F/53°F (24°C/12°C); and, the hottest and coldest days ever were 96°F (36°C) and 35°F (2°C) respectively.  Thus down-filled and Goretex outer clothes can be safely left behind.

    This 15-day/14-night loop-tour starts and ends in Phoenix, with enjoyable rides to and through such historic towns as Tombstone and the famous copper mining town of Bisbee. As well, you’ll pass through Sonoita, the center of Arizona’s fledgling wine industry.  In Nogales, Arizona, if interested, one can cross to the Mexican sister city of Nogales (Canadians will require a visa).  
    It is a truck-supported tour with motel lodging. It includes eleven move days, i.e. the rides between lodging sites, two non-move days (NMD), and two travel days (November 2nd and 16th).
    The Tour follows a clock-wise loop-route from Phoenix to Chandler via a climb up, down and around South Mountain; then to Florence (no more Blue Motel), Tucson (two nights), Sonoita (a new stop), Tombstone, Bisbee (two nights), Sierra Vista, Nogales, back to Tucson, then on to Casa Grange, and a return to Phoenix. 

    Please note, for those interested, the Phoenix Iron Man event is the day following the Tour’s end (11/17/13).

    Participants will take turns driving the truck, laying out lunches, and arranging “happy-hour” refreshments/condiments.

    Riding Conditions and Logistics: The tour is rated “advanced” (For tour classification information see “CCCTS Tours” section in this Newsbrief). The vehicle is for transporting luggage, food stuffs and drinks, etc., and for the transport of either ill cyclists or those with mal-functioning bicycles; the maximum distance for the move days will be 113 km (70 mi) with ~1,000 m (3,000′) of elevation gain. In general, the rides will vary from flat to hilly with the option for more climbing on NMD, when a range of rides will be offered. The Tour’s minimum total cycling distance will be ~1,000 km (620 mi), all on paved roads.
    The Tour Leader recommends road bikes, and strongly discourages mountain bikes.  
    Itinerary: Participants will arrive in Phoenix on November 2nd; lodging is at the Airport Holiday Inn Express, which provides an airport shuttle.

    Daily destinations and distances follow:
    November 2nd (Saturday). Lodging at the Airport Holiday Inn Express with a group meeting at Happy Hour (~5:00 p.m.);
    November 3rd. Phoenix to Chandler (Holiday Inn) via South Mountain – 54 mi (87 km). Riders have the option of riding up South Mountain to the lookout (500 m elevation gain) for a spectacular view of the valley before circling South Mountain;
    November 4th. Chandler to Florence (Holiday Inn Express) via Coolidge – 43 mi (69 km);
    November 5th/6th. Florence to Downtown Tucson (Holiday Inn Express) – 67 mi (108 km) 650 m elevation gain;
    November 7th. Tucson to Sonoita (Sonoita Inn) – 64 mi (103 km) 875 m elevation gain;
    November 8th. Sonoita to Tombstone (Holiday Inn Express) – 48 miles (77 km);
    November 9th & 10th. Tombstone to Bisbee (Copper Queen Hotel) – 50 miles (80 km);
    November 11th. Bisbee to Sierra Vista (Holiday Inn Express) – 35 mi (56 km);
    November 12th. Sierra Vista to Nogales (Best Western) – 67 mi (108 km);
    November 13th. Nogales to Tucson (Holiday Inn Express) – 70 miles (108km);
    November 14th. Tucson to Casa Grande (Holiday Inn Express) – 66 mi (106 km);
    November 15th. Casa Grande to Phoenix (Airport Holiday Inn Express) – 56 miles (90 km); and,
    November 16th.  Breakfast and Tour’s end.

    Tour fees include accommodations, all breakfasts (included with room registration), bag lunches and the Tour Leader’s remuneration of 5% of tour costs to a maximum of one Tour fee. The fee does not cover pre/post travel costs to/from Sacramento, dinners, parking fees, and any other personal costs.