The time is approaching for one of the best rides sponsored by GABA-Tucson! Come out with us, escape the heavy traffic and pressure of the big city and relax in the remote Arizona and New Mexico’s scenic mountain countryside. You will enjoy a total elevation gain of 16,977 feet over 3 days and 216 beautiful miles.
This year’s ride will be the traditional route that you have grown to know and love: Clifton to Glenwood, to Alpine, and back to Clifton via the famous “Coronado Trail”-216 miles worth of an end-of-the-summer hurrah! The ride is fully supported with sag stops and sweeps to ensure everyone enjoys the ride to the utmost!
This ride is for experienced riders
who are conditioned for long, gradual climbs as
well as long exhilarating descents. This is a scenic ride with demanding
terrain!
If you are looking for a great training ride for GABA’s Cross State Tour” scheduled for September 28 – October 4, 2008, this is the one you want! Be ready for all kinds of weather: It may rain at some point, and the temperature is likely to drop considerably! Very cool mornings in the mountains will alternate with very hot afternoons.
Registration, Friday, August 29th.
Check-in for pre-registered riders, and registration for Day-of -Event
riders, will be held in Clifton, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday night, on the
grounds of the Rode Inn Motel. To find us, look for a yellow GABA sign pointing
the way.
1st Day, Saturday, August 30th
Clifton to Glenwood, NM-62 miles with 4800 ft. of elevation gain. Climb out
of the Gila River Valley heading northeast on Hwy 78 through Mule Creek
following the San Francisco River Valley into Glenwood. For those who prepaid
($15 per person), there will be a delicious meal for you!
2nd Day, Sunday, August 31st:
Glenwood to Alpine, AZ- 58 miles with 5346 ft. of elevation gain. To get
your body ready for this day’s ride, for those who prepaid for breakfast ($10
per person), there will be a substantial meal. Then it’s back on the bikes for a
gradual climb through pine forests in New Mexico as you negotiate Saliz Pass and
Luna Summit to the small town of Alpine at 8000 feet of elevation The group
dinner will be held at the Alpine Village RV Park. For those who prepaid ($15
per person), Jenn, our caterer from the Luna Lake ride will be providing the
evening meal.
3rd Day, Monday, September 1st:
Alpine to Clifton- 96 miles with 6831 ft. of elevation gain. Refresh and
refuel with breakfast, for those who prepaid ($10) served at the Alpine
Village RV Park. Breakfast starts at 6 AM (AZ time).
Pedal South on US 191 along the
famous “Coronado Trail” bringing you “blue” vistas, green forests, and long
descents! After a series of ups and downs in high forests, riders arrive at
Hannagan Meadow. Prepare yourself for breathtaking scenery while cycling down
many miles and many tight curves, and another long gradual climb up to the lunch
spot of Rose Peak. There are many more downs and ups over small ridges, always
with tremendous views, before the final 20 miles of spectacular vistas as you
pedal back down into Clifton.
Camping & Showers:
Friday night: At the Al Fernandez Park in Clifton. Turn right on
Zorilla St., cross
bridge; park is to the right. Restrooms available.
Saturday night: In Glenwood at the park across the street from the Double
T
Homestead, 1 mile east of town on the Catwalk Road. Rustic, friendly atmosphere
with smooth camping spots! Hot & cold showers available.
Sunday night: In Alpine at the Alpine Village RV Park. Hot showers
available.
Monday afternoon:
Showers available at the Rode Inn in Clifton after the ride. Please bring
your towel.
Register as soon as possible to assist us in preparing a well-supported ride.
We must give our caterers a “head count” 2-weeks in advance of the ride for meal
preparations. Wait too late and you may not be able to purchase a meal. There
are
very few restaurants open on the holiday in the small towns.
RIDE LEADERS:
Larry Robinson & Linda Kurick, (520) 237-5792 or
lin_kur@msn.com
Volunteers are needed to make this ride as great a success as in past years! If
interested, please contact Volunteer Coodinator, Deb Harms, at (520) 906-4617 or
at volunteer@bikegaba.org. Helmets
are mandatory.
Blue Loop Ride Fee
PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS RIDE FEE:
GABA/ABC members: $90 Non-Members: $115
DAY-OF-EVENT RIDE FEE:
GABA/ABC members: $115 Non-Members: $130
OPTIONAL MEALS MUST BE PREPAID
WITH RIDE FEE:
Glenwood Dinner: $15 Glenwood Breakfast: $10
Alpine Dinner: $15 Alpine Breakfast: $10
Blue Loop Motel List:
Friday Night in Clifton:
Rode Inn (Clifton): 928-865-4536
Saturday Night in Glenwood:
Double T Homestead B&B 505-539-2812
Lariat Motel: 505-539-2361
Crab Apple Cabins: 505-539-2400
White Water Motel: 505-539-2581
Doc’s B&B: 505-539-2611
Sunday Night in Alpine:
Alpine Inn: 928-339-1840
Alpine Cabins: 928-339-4440
Sportsman's Lodge: 928-339-4576 or 877-560-7626
Mountain High Lodge: 928-339-4311
Coronado Trail Cabins: 928-339-4772 (1 mi. S. of town)
Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge: 928-339-4319 (4 mi. N. of town)