Mt Lemmon Ride

We are looking forward to a great ride with lots of variety. Weather should be just about perfect. 

Meeting up and Route Info

The plan is to gather at the gas station on Via de Ventura and Loop 101 at 7:30 and for the first group to hit the road at 8:00 a.m. We will go via Florence and make a gas/bio stop there. We must endure the drudge through Tucson and will make one last gas/bio break there but then we get to enjoy the scenic and twisty climb up Mt. Lemmon. In most places

the speed limit is only 35 and there is a double yellow line almost the entire route. 

However, the twisty road and the scenic views make it such that there’s not much desire to ride faster. We plan

to stop at Windy Point overlook – about 12 miles from the top – for some picture opportunities

and one last bio break, as needed. It’s 167 miles total and we should be arriving at the Sawmill

Run restaurant at about 11:45. This restaurant is one where you order at the counter and take the

food to your table. It is usually quite busy on the weekends so I anticipate there will be a wait

and that all riders won’t get their food at the same time. No problem! Enjoy the view, relax, and

know that the ride is almost over. When you are finished eating, head back down the mountain

on your own. 

Our route to the hotel – a short 46 miles – takes us right through the Davis-

Monthan “Boneyard.” If desired, make a stop at the Pima Air and Space Museum

(PASM)…always an amazing collection of aviation. (It’s on our route to the hotel, just pass the

Boneyard.) Or, just head straight to the hotel to relax, soak in the jacuzzi, and get ready for an

evening of fun, food, and BMMC camaraderie. Maybe a beverage or two, too!

Hotel Info

The hotel is Four Points by Sheraton – which now is a part of the Marriott Bonvoy group. It has

a pool, jacuzzi, bar, and restaurant…all that we need! It’s on the entrance road to Tucson

Airport; 7060 S. Tucson Blvd. I have arranged a special rate of $135, plus tax, and so far have

reserved five King and five double Queen rooms. More can be arranged. The number to call to

make your reservation is 520-746-0271. (There may be an online booking link yet to come.)

Mention you’re with the Black Mountain Motorcycle Club.

Sunday Route Info

Sunday morning some riders may wish to simply boogie up I-10 and get home early. The return

ride was planned to visit Kitt Peak National Observatory but, sadly, due to the horrific fires

earlier in the year, Kitt Peak is still closed to the public and the road to the top of the mountain

remains shut down. Nevertheless, after breakfast we can enjoy the scenic ride down I-19 to

Amado and then west through Arivaca. If you’ve never enjoyed the Arivaca highway it is a

must-do: tons of well-marked curves and enough elevation changes to keep you alert. The road

connects to the Sasabe Highway up to Three Points on Highway 86. A gas/bio stop is planned

near there. Then north back to Phoenix via the drudgery of I-10 but exiting onto Hwy 87 past

Picacho to escape the freeway and returning to Phoenix via Coolidge. The total day’s mileage is

232.

GPX

Map

Turn by Turn Directions