Greater Arizona Bicycling Association
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HomeMLHC 3Day 2025 Info Page

Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb 2025

3 Days of Bicycle Heaven

Day 1 - Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb

Location:

Drive or ride over to McDonald Park, 4100 North Harrison Rd, Tucson AZ 85749, Free Parking

Check In - Between 6:00 am to 8:30 am

Verify your emergency contact information and sign in to confirm attendance

You will receive some goodies and a wrist band for the 1-day event or a bicycle tag for the 3-day event. Since this is not a mass start you can begin the ride! In fact Pima County requires no more than 5 riders at a time leave together, no packs blocking the roadways. Please be patient with our volunteers implementing this request.

Recommended start times, based on your average climbing speed, and assuming you spend 15 minutes at each SAG stop:

6:00 am for 4 mph average

6:30 am for 5 mph average

7:00 am for 7 mph average

7:30 am for 9 mph average

Support Stop Info:
Also take into account when each SAG stop will be open:

Molino Canyon Vista (breakfast stop) - 6:30 to 9:30 AM - with Bob and Marie - approx. 8 miles from the start

Middle Bear (sweet and salty stop) - 7:00 to 11:00 AM - with Tucson Tri Girls -15 miles from the start

San Pedro Vista (protein fuel stop) - 8:30 to 12 noon - 21 miles from the start

Loma Linda Overlook (pie and waffle stop) - 9:30 to 1:00 PM - with Cliff and Liane - 28 miles from the start

Ski Valley Iron Door Cafe and Lifts (water stop) - Official Turn-Around and Top of Climb Photo Op

McDonald Park Lunch - 10:00 am to 2:30 pm

Please take breaks along the way down the mountain, enjoy the spectacular scenery and take the pictures you thought about on the way up but didn’t want to break your rhythm.

Bathroom Facilities can be found at these locations:

Molino Basin Campground

Windy Point

Middle Bear

Palisades Station

Loma Linda

Course Overview:

Here is your Mt Lemmon Hill Climb Map and Cue Sheet: MLHC 2025

Please print or load it into your navigation device

The temperature on the way up to Mt. Lemmon is 20 to 30 degrees colder than the Tucson area. Weather can also change quickly. Check the weather the day before to know the conditions and bring appropriate clothing to keep your self warm. If you would like an extra layer to wear on the descent you can leave a well labeled bag with gear at check-in at McDonald Park. It will be dropped off at the Loma Linda SAG stop for your retrieval.

If you haven’t ridden the Lemmon in a while (or ever), GABA can help make it easy. You can minimize the weight in your pockets because we provide four SAG stops, about six miles apart, with fluids, munchies, and healthy carbs. In honor of the pie shop that once operated in Summerhaven near the summit, our Loma Linda stop will serve a variety of pies. GABA also provides vehicular sweep support to help with mechanical problems or provide a lift if the bicycle can't finish the descent.

Day 2 - “Spin Out Those Legs” Recovery Ride

This is a guided or self-guided Poker Ride. At each of the indicated spots you will pick up a card or a wildcard chip. If self-guided you can start anywhere on the Loop you’d like and end your route at Mo Udall Park between 12:00 - 1:00 pm for Lunch and Ice Cream and some fun prizes depending on your poker hand.

If you prefer a guided ride decide which route you’d like to join and show up at Mo Udall Park at the posted time:
Poker Ride #2 Meet time at 9:00am wheels rolling 9:15, meet in parking lot near Ramada #3 (nearest Tanque Verde Rd entrance)
(More routes are in progress)

Day 3 - “Tucson’s Other Gems”

This is a scenic tour highlighting one of Tucson’s favorite rides on the east side of town starting from Mo Udall Park. You can choose one of two routes Pistol Hill and Colossal Cave Clockwise or Pistol Hill and Colossal Cave Counter Clockwise, on both routes you can opt to make a loop through Sahuaro National Park East (9 miles) but you will need to have an America the Beautiful Park Pass (or go in with someone else that has one) or you can pay an entry fee. Enjoy some refreshments along the way at a special stop just for you at the top of Pistol Hill.
Pistol Hill CW meet at 7:30am with wheels rolling at 7:45
Pistol Hill CCW meet at 7:00 am with wheels rolling at 7:15

Special Welcome to anyone New to Tucson!!

Welcome to our special arid space we like to call home. Besides riding bicycles all the time, we do have other activities to indulge in. You can find lots to do around town at Visit Tucson

A couple of ideas for a place to stay on the east side: Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon (very close to Mo Udall Park) and Hilton Tucson East (very close to the Loop on Broadway) both and many more are also listed on the Visit Tucson site.

We hope you enjoy your stay and make plans to visit again!