The Owl Head Buttes consist of six Buttes or peaks of which all beg for your interest. The reward is wonderful views of Picacho Peak, The Catalina Mountains, and the rural greater Tucson areas. The area is thick with Sonoran Desert vegetation. The only downside would be the power lines dissecting the Buttes 

The 70 mile route with long stretches of straight flat roads will be perfect for practicing group or pace-line riding skills. Not ready for that many miles? The 36 mile Loop is a fun alternative. Pick the distance that suits you and come ride with us.

Routes:

What to Expect

We will provide one support and gear (SAG) station (shown as Picnic basket on the maps) where you can refuel with fruit, water, sports drink, and snacks. The long route will be serviced twice with this sag stop. There will be a light lunch and drinks offered at the parking lot after finishing the routes. Please bring your own camp chair to enjoy company and tales of the ride. You must be back at the parking lot and finished by 1:45 PM  to enjoy this because we will close and pack up by 2:15 PM. The sag stop will close at 11:45 AM to allow volunteers to pack up and then enjoy the picnic at the finish. 

Watch for GABA Road Arrows and signs indicating all the turns of the course and turnaround points. The different routes will have different colored route arrows. If you want a paper map & cue sheets, please follow the links and print at home to bring along.

New Ride Venue

Picacho Peak Plaza
Bowlins Travel Center

16098 E. Camino Adelante Dr.
Eloy, AZ

Why change the venue you ask?

• The return to the start will now be more downhill with a tailwind!!
• No excessive frontage road traffic (the booming community and traffic between Missile Base Rd and Marana has become quite dangerous)
• No overpriced permitting and insurance fees from Marana and ADOT
• An option for TWO days of riding! (more info below)

New Ride Format - Gran Fondo Style!

Metric Century riders will have a mass start at 8:30 am
Medio riders will have a mass start at 9:00 am

  If you don't like mass starts you still have the option of starting on your own, either before or after the mass starts (be aware of the SAG closing time of 11:45 and course completion time of 1:45)
  We will have a clock on display so you can see your start and stop times. If we have enough volunteers we will try our best to record unofficial times for you.

New Ride Fees

Sign up before Thursday Jan. 22, 9:00 pm
Medio Fondo $30
Gran Fondo $40
After 9:00 pm Thursday Jan. 22nd
Medio Fondo $40
Gran Fondo $50
Registration Ends Thursday Feb. 5th, 9:00 pm

Second Day of Riding Option

  Want to ride on Sunday too? Maybe push yourself? Here's something new to try, a Time Trial! Natural Grocers is hosting an Individual 20K Time Trial at the same location starting at 9:00 am on Sunday Feb. 8th.  
Special Equipment is not necessary, just sign up for the Merckx category! 
When you register you will be required to purchase a One-Day Race license through USA Cycling ($15).
To promote more interest in cycling we will refund $24 of your race entry fee for all One-Day License riders!
More information can be found here:

Natural Grocers Picacho Peak Time Trial

Volunteer to help at this event

Without the amazing work of volunteers our GABA events just wouldn't be the same! All riders need that extra smile, those words of encouragement, the roadside assistance, not to mention the goodies to keep the body fueled and hydrated! Come out and enjoy the fun even if you don't ride!

Volunteer for Owl's Head Gran Fondo Weekend