23rd Grand Canyon to Mexico  Bicycle Tour

A "Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure"

September 27 Thru October 4, 2003

Information Message Line: (520) 349-5932

Registration Fee: $475

Saturday, September 27th
Optional bus trip ($) from the Phoenix Best Western Airport Inn, will begin loading at 8 AM for Best Western Squire Inn in Tusayan, near the Grand Canyon. Relax and settle in before our Registration Check In and Tour Kick Off Banquet that evening.

When calling or e-mailing, always mention “GABA” or “GABA Rates”

Best Western Airport Inn  800-528-8199

2425 S. 24th Street          480-273-7251

Phoenix, AZ  85034


Sunday, September 28th
Sightseeing on your own at the Grand Canyon.
Explore it by biking, hiking, or taking a Canyon shuttle trip!
 

Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn   928-638-8411

P.O. Box 130, Hwy 64                          ext. 4428        

Grand Canyon, AZ  86023                      800-622-6966

**For reservations contact: Jeannette Bray, Sales Manager.  (Ask for Jeannette)

Email: groups@grandcanyonsquire.com - under Additional Requests or Concerns please type “Attn: Jeannette Bray”

 
Ride Day 1: Monday, September 29th: Tusayan to Gray Mountain (68 miles).

Pedal along the East Rim Drive and enjoy the beauty of the number one tourist attraction in the world, the Grand Canyon. Continue on towards (down to) the stark beauty of the high desert Navajo Reservation.
 

Anasazi Inn                         800-678-2214 

P.O. Box 29100                   928-679-2214

Gray Mountain, AZ  86016

Website: www.anasaziinn.com - on Reservations Button type in “GABA Bikers” or “GABA Rates”

 

Day 1 Elevation Profile

 

Ride Day 2: Tuesday, September 30th: Gray Mountain to Flagstaff (66 miles).

An incredibly scenic route on the Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Road allows you to visit numerous ruins, admire miles of the ancient Bonito Lava Flow, and dramatic views of the Sunset Crater volcanic cone and Humphrey’s Peak (Arizona’s highest point at 12,663 ft).
 

Little America             800-352-4386

2515 E. Butler             928-779-2741

Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Website: www.flagstaff.littleamerica.com - Type in remarks  “GABA Rate”.

Day 2 Elevation Profile
 

Ride Day 3: Wednesday, October 1st: Flagstaff to Payson (95 miles).

Ride by Lake Mary and Morman Lake in the worlds’ largest ponderosa pine forest. Stop at the "Happy Jack" lodge for a wonderful treat.  Crest over the Mogollon Rim and enjoy steep descents through the small towns of Strawberry (great pies) and Pine.
 

Best Western Payson Inn     800-247-9477

801 N. Beeline                   928-474-3241

Payson, AZ  85547

Email: stephanie@bwpaysoninn.com - indicate you are a “GABA Biker” or want “GABA Rates”.


Day 3 Elevation Profile

 

Ride Day 4: Thursday, October 2nd: Payson to Globe (91 miles).

Long, scenic, descents into Saguaro country, past Roosevelt Lake. View Historic Roosevelt Dam, and travel over the world’s longest steel arch suspension bridge. Hilly climbs will take you through the twin cities of Miami/Globe and into the San Carlos Apache Country.
 

Apache Gold Casino Resort        800-272-2438

P.O. Box 1210                          928-475-7800 

San Carlos, AZ  85550

Check it out at www.apachegoldcasinoresort.com, but call for reservations.


Day 4 Elevation Profile

 

Ride Day 5: Friday, October 3rd: Globe to Tucson (104 miles).

Ride over scenic El Capitan Pass, then enjoy the 3,000 foot drop into the Gila River Gorge. Pedal past Winkleman and Mammoth. Marvel at the magnificent Catalina Mountain Range as you make your way into Tucson.
 

Ghost Ranch Lodge         800-456-7565

801 Miracle Mile             520-791-7565

Tucson, AZ  85705

For reservations email Mary or Lisa at ghstranch@aol.com; please do not use the "reservation" button on their home page as you will not receive the GABA rate.


Day 5 Elevation Profile

 

Ride Day 6: Saturday, October 4th: Tucson to Nogales (83 miles).

Follow the Santa Cruz River Valley while cycling past Green Valley, Tubac and Tumacacori, all rich in history and western lore. Join us for the Farewell Banquet and Goodbyes after the ride.
 

Americana Hotel            800-874-8079

639 N Grand Avenue       520-287-7211. 

Nogales, AZ  85621

Identify yourself as part of the “GABA Group”.  Room Space is limited; so optional lodging next door at:

 

Best Western Siesta Motel    888-215-4783

673 N Grand Avenue            520-287-4671

Nogales, AZ  85621


Day 6 Elevation Profile

 

Sunday, October 5th
Optional bus trip ($) from Nogales to Best Western Airport Inn in Phoenix. Buses will begin loading at 6:30 AM.
 

Fee Includes:  Seven Group dinners; Daily baggage transport to host lodging and camping locations; SAG support; Quality food stops along daily route; Many end of day refreshments, Entrance Pass for the Grand Canyon and Wupatki-Sunset Crater; Tour route guides with maps; Occasional entertainment; Commemorative Ride Wear and gifts;  Mechanic support for minor repairs (parts$) and Massage (fee$); Therapists at daily locations and camping with showers.

Route:  The 500-mile route, which will begin at the south entrance of the Grand Canyon and end near the border of Mexico, in Nogales, Arizona, features 6 days of riding for an average of 82 miles per day.  Total elevation gain over the course of the Tour, is about 22,000’.

Temperatures:  Be prepared for very cool temperatures at higher elevations, frost is possible at night or early mornings.  Suggest windbreakers, heavier gloves, long tights and arm warmers.  It can and does rain in Arizona, bring rain gear as well.  At lower elevations, temperatures can reach 100 degrees at times.  Bring lots of sunscreen – for the entire Tour!  And, always carry 2 large water bottles and/or a water hydration pack.

Lodging:  A large percentage of our Tour participants choose the motel option for all or part of the week.  A list of host lodging locations will be furnished upon receiving a completed, paid Registration Form.  Early reservations are necessary to insure our Group Rate Price.

Camping:  Camping will be primarily located at the daily host motels (except on the last day in Nogales, when no camping is available) other sites may include, RV parks, schools or city parks.  Showers will be furnished for all campers.

Luggage:  Two medium duffel bags per person (max of 30-40 lbs each) are transported to daily host locations only.

Meals:  Tour includes 7 group dinners, and afternoon snacks.  Please Note: We do make both meat and vegetarian dinners and snacks available, however if you have special dietary needs be prepared to supplement your meals accordingly.

SAG Stops:  At designated locations along the daily route, quality food stops will offer a variety of fresh fruits, juices, great snacks, luncheon meats mid-day, sodas, and water.

Gearing:  Low gears giving you at least 35 gear-inches are Highly Recommended, such as 39-30.  A triple in front is a must for riders with more limited climbing experience.

Mechanic Support:  A mechanic will accompany our Tour for minor repairs and adjustments.  Bike parts will be available at competitive prices.  Your bike should be in excellent working order before leaving home, including low gears for the BIG climbs we have.  Hint: A 500-mile ride is not the time to try out untested or new bicycle parts or components.

Preparation:  Cyclists ranging in ages from 16 to 80 years old have successfully completed this tour.   With several challenging climbs and elevation gains on the route, appropriate training is highly recommended.

Bicycle Shipping:  Bicycles may be shipped to Landis Cyclery Bicycle Shop for assembly and delivery to the Best Western Airport Inn in Phoenix, for a fee.  Contact Joe (602) 264-5681 for more information.   If you prefer, you may ship your bike directly to the Best Western Airport Inn, where it will be stored in a locked storage room for you to assemble upon arrival.

Return Flight Info:  When you are making your return flight plans, please take into consideration that if you are taking your bike back with you, or having it shipped from the hotel, rather than using Landis Cyclery, you will need to allow enough time for the disassembly and packaging of the bike, and shuttle time to the airport.  For this purpose, it is generally wise to not plan on flying out before 3 PM on Sunday, October 5th.

Confirmation Letter:  Will be e-mailed to you (or mailed as required) shortly after receiving your check with a completed and signed Registration Form, and Waiver.  The letter will contain a designated motel and camp location list, and a list of suggested equipment and clothing items for the Tour.

Optional Bus Trip and Bike Transport from Phoenix to Tusayan (Ride Start) on Saturday, September 27th: Bus and bike transportation from Phoenix (Best Western Airport Inn) to Tusayan is available for $45 per person.  Assembled bikes will begin loading at 8 AM (boxes will remain in a locked room at the BW Airport Inn).  Charter buses will begin loading at 9 AM, and a complimentary sack lunch will be provided to all passengers for the trip.

Optional Bus Trip and Bike Transport from Nogales (Ride End) to Phoenix, on Sunday, October 5th: Bus and bike transportation will again be available at the cost of $40 per person for the trip from Nogales back to Phoenix.  Bikes will begin loading at 5:30 AM, and Charter buses will begin loading at 6:30 AM, arriving into Phoenix approximately 10:30 AM.

Check In:  Registration Check In for the Tour will take place at the Best Western Squire Inn in Tusayan, on Saturday, September 27th beginning at 5 PM, with the Kick – Off Banquet immediately following at 6 PM.

PLEASE: Make your reservations early.  All of the host lodging locations are holding blocks of rooms for the GABA Tour, but will release those rooms to the general public as early as 45 days prior to arrival.  Some of these towns are small and lodging is limited, failure to secure a room early could mean that you will need to bring along your tent.

 

Some of the hotels are offering an inexpensive breakfast with the room, and many allow from 1-4 persons per room.

 

Some of you have asked about sharing a room.  Our club policy is not to give out any rider names or addresses without permission, however we do have a Bulletin Board on which you can post your request.

Questions:  Call Tour Phone Line at (520) 349-5932, or e-mail Tour Registration, Donna Lewandowski

Cancellation Policy:  Refund requests must be made in writing if you are unable to make the tour for any reason.

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If postmarked by 7/1/03, total amount less $50 will be refunded.

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If postmarked by 8/31/03, total amount less $100 will be refunded.

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If postmarked by 9/15/03, only $75 will be refunded.

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Sorry, no cash refund if postmarked after 9/15/03.

There are no exceptions to the refund policy.

You may locate a substitute rider and submit his/her completed Registration & Waiver with a letter of explanation at any time, to avoid the cancellation charge.

Ride Registration Form

This form is in Adobe Acrobat Format (PDF). You must have Adobe installed in order to download them, click HERE if you need to install Adobe first.