Road Biking Vistoso Boulevard of Oro Valley – Safe and Incredible Cycling
Without question, Oro Valley’s Vistoso Boulevard is the most beautiful desert road in the Southwest. This picturesque road has the soaring Catlinas to the east and west, vast Saguaro cactus via HoneyBee Canyon mixed on this boulevard of beautiful homes. Bike the neighborhoods and get an idea of why cyclists retire here. There are days where the cyclists out number the cars. Tourists from all over are impressed by the clean, well-maintained roads and wide bike lanes.
And while you are here, get off the bike and enjoy a stroll at HoneyBee Canyon Park. This beautiful desert, saguaro laden oasis rises to its glory at sunset and sunrise. The mountain bike trail (Big Wash Trail) is a mile away and is a mountain biking paradise – considered to be the best in Arizona! Rent a mountain bike and Tucson Bike Rentals will deliver and pick it up to you right by the trail. Amazing.
Road Biking Marana’s La Cholla Airpark on Moore and La Canada
Here is a nice alternative to The Oro Valley/Tucson Loop. This is a very family friendly ride – perfect for the kids and aviation enthusiast.
After you get done biking down Vistoso, go west on Moore Road, past La Canada and take a right on North King Air Drive. The La Cholla Airpark is a private (non-gated) community with beautiful roads with very little traffic. The highlights of your ride will be looking at some majestic haciendas, horse properties and airplanes in people’s driveways. A real cool site: some guy combined his house with a 747!
Biking north Oro Valley’s Saddlebrooke retirement community’s
Saddlebrooke is a serious golf and biking retirement community. They even have their own cycling club that ONLY includes its residents. They are snooty. This is a private community with 26 miles of pristine black top and plenty of space and shoulders for bikers. Their is a convenience store and restaurants at the golf courses. This is a fun, safe and challenging way to do a ride. This community will give you some elevation gain – especially if you start your ride near the Oro Valley Market Place. Tucson locals bike this area a lot. This community sits on 1200 acres and there is abundant wildlife and hiking nearby. All of Saddlebrooke is a perfect Oro Valley cycling experience that is perfect for families looking for things to do.
Locals Tip: Look for Hawser Street just past Burger King on Oracle Road, take a right and negotiate your way to Saddlebrooke. This is a pretty ride and a little bumpy from time to time, but worth it.
Road Biking Twin Peaks going south to The Loop – Dove Mountain/Marana
You can park at Savaya Coffee at Twin Peaks and Tangerine. Then take a spectacular ride down Twin Peaks on the huge bike lane (or you can take a bike path to the right) and enjoy the spectacular Tucson Mountains on the right. You will feel like you are in a Hollywood old west setting. This is the greatest ride at sunrise or sunset. (Well, bike anywhere in Marana and Oro Valley at these times and you will be in awe.) Take Twin Peaks to The Loop after you cross over the highway. Go back to Oro Valley or head south to Downtown Tucson.
Standing at Twin Peaks and Tangerine, you can do road bike north to The Ritz Carlton, but this road is narrow and it is a fairly safe ride. We do not like this ride during rush hours during the busy tourism season. This ride is one of the most scenic rides in Arizona.
Saddlebrooke West retirement community of Oro Valley
Another Saddlebrooke gem! This development is just north of its parent community. Saddlebrooke West offers easy riding and the roads are brand new and flat as a pancake.
Catalina State Park of Oro Valley, Arizona
Not a lot of miles to be had here, but take your time! This is a must do bike ride for young kids and families and any anyone looking to enjoy one of the most idyllic desert state parks of the American Southwest. Park here. Bike here. Then you can go directly to the Oro Valley extension of our Loop bike path.
