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Greater Arizona Bicycling Association Inc
Where cycling is more than just riding a bike
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Get Ready for an Unforgettable Experience this Friday!
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GABA Presents: Mount Lemmon Hill Climb
Friday, May 3, 2024
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According to John Summerson, "The Complete Guide to Climbing By Bike", Mt Lemmon is 33rd on the list of 100 toughest road bike climbs in the US, with a rating of either "hors category" or "category 1" on the scale used to rank the climbs in European stage racing.
Yes, Mt Lemmon is right up there with the famous passes in the European tours: hardly anywhere else in the US can you climb so high for so many miles in succession. That's why, every winter, Tucson sees packs of riders in matching jerseys, many of them speaking languages other than English, booking up the mountain.
But because the road is so long, it's also very forgiving: the grade averages only 4.5% for 6600 feet of elevation gain over the 56-mile round trip, and the almost continuous 21-mile descent at the end is exciting without ever being terrifying.
If you haven't ridden the Lemmon in a while (or ever), GABA can help make it easy. You can minimize the weight in your pockets because we provide four SAG stops, about six miles apart, with fluids, munchies, and healthy carbs. In honor of the pie shop that once operated in Summerhaven near the summit, the uppermost SAG will serve a variety of pies. You can also opt to buy yourself lunch at the restaurants in Summerhaven or Ski Valley at the top. In case something goes wrong, GABA provides vehicular sweep support to help with mechanical problems or provide a lift.
If you're not interested in "easy", GABA can help with that, too. Round up a posse of your riding buddies, see how fast you can fly to the top, and enjoy a social stop to eat pie and swap lies before you charge back down.
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Remembering Those Who Have Died While Bicycling on Public Roadways
Join us on Wednesday, May 15, at Reid Park Ramada 19
(from Country Club south of Broadway, enter Reid Park at Concert Place and follow signs)
The 8-mile ride starts at 5:00 pm. Riders go North on Country Club, East on Broadway, South on Craycroft, West on 22nd St, and North on Country Club to return to Reid Park.
Helmets are a must for everyone
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Global Cycling Network Highlights Mount Lemmon: "Is This The Best Climb for Cycling in America?" | |
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Mount Lemmon Bikeway Coalition
About a year ago, a friend, Bob Fritz, approached me to work with him on the Mount Lemmon Bikeway Initiative. The goal was to make the Mount Lemmon Highway safer for cyclists.
To achieve this, we realized that we had to raise the profile of this iconic climb and thereby leverage support to undertake roadway repairs and other improvements.
Thus, the Mount Lemmon Bikeway Coalition was born.
The Mount Lemmon Bikeway Coalition aims to improve roadway safety for all road users and thereby reduce the perceived conflict between cyclists and motorists.
Our initial focus is to have the lower portion of the highway - the downhill section between MP 3 and MP 0 - repaved. We are also reporting deep longitudinal cracks and potholes on the uphill section of the roadway through the See, Click, Fix app and lobbying. Long-term, we would like to have more water stations installed. We would also like to see gradient markers added to the mileage markers like the ones seen on iconic climbs in France.
Lobbying Pima County to increase the level of maintenance and carry out badly needed patching and crack sealing takes patience and persistence. It is not going to happen overnight but is a long-term project and for that, we need your valuable support. The more people who stand with us, the louder our voice to the elected officials.
If you support this initiative, please write to us at mtlemmonbikeway@gmail.com and add your name to our Coalition. You may also visit our Facebook page at Mount Lemmon Bikeway for updates on our progress or to add photos of your climb.
Daphne Hope
Mount Lemmon Bikeway Coalition
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Marana Begins Construction on Loop Extension
A new addition will be coming to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop in Marana, giving thousands of people access to the trail. For additional information and to view the video click the button below.
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Proposed County Transportation Improvements.
Share your Comments by May 19th!
Here's an opportunity to review PAG's draft five-year plan for transportation improvement projects in Tucson & Pima County, and submit your comments and suggestions. By commenting, GABA members can play an important role in ensuring that cyclists have a voice in selecting projects for funding.
STEP 1. REVIEW THE PLAN
STEP 2. SUBMIT A COMMENT ONLINE (no later than May 19)
Under Subject (Required), please select "Draft FY 2025-FY 2029 TIP" from the dropdown menu.
Comments can also be emailed to publiccomments@PAGregion.com or mailed to PAG, ATTN: Draft TIP, 1 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 401 Tucson, AZ 85701.
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Thank You for Participating in the
GABA Bike Swap!
Click below to view KVOA coverage of last month's event.
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ADOT wants to hear from you on how to improve safety for all travelers in Arizona
ADOT is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and Active Transportation Safety Action Plan (ATSAP). It is conducting in-person and virtual meetings to provide a plan overview and solicit public input and is also accepting online public input.
1. ATTEND A MEETING
GABA members are encouraged to attend a meeting in person.
Tucson On-Site Meeting
Tuesday May 7, 5:30-7 p.m.
Ramada by Wyndham, 777 W. Cushing St, Tucson, AZ
Statewide Virtual Meeting
Thursday, May 9, 6:00 p.m.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/ADOTSafetyMeeting
2. PROVIDE INPUT ONLINE (through May 17)
by completing two brief online surveys at adotsafetyplan.com
- Highway Safety Plan survey takers are asked to rate factors in traffic fatalities
- Traffic Safety Action Plan survey takers are asked to describe one action that would improve traffic safety in Arizona
Comments may also be emailed to: a@azdot.gov
For more information, please visit azdot.gov/SafetyPlan.
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Looking to Join One of our GABA Day Rides?
Discover our MeetUp Page!
Look for Tumacacori Century and El Tour Training Rides along with our fantastic social and scenic rides!
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Send us Your News, Story Ideas,
and Articles!
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Do you have something interesting to share with the Tucson cycling community? A link to an event? An article that we don't know about? A topic that might be worth looking into?
If you have something that you think others would like to find out about, please share it with us so we can add it to the next Paceline by clicking the button below.
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GABA Classifieds
Do you have a bike-related item you would like to buy, sell, or trade? We have 2 ways to get the word out.
#1 - Post it on the GABA website
In order to post you must be a GABA member - one more good reason to join GABA. To find out how to post click the below button.
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#2 Post it on Paceline
To post on Paceline please click the button below to send us an e-mail.
Please be sure to include all details, including your contact info. We can take a single photo for your item and we will run it for 2 issues.
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Need help registering for a GABA Supported Ride? Click below for a step-by-step instructional guide to signing up for our supported rides! | Did someone forward this Paceline newsletter to you? Click the button below to join our mailing list. | Changed your email address? Send us your new one and never miss an issue. | | |
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Mailing Address
PO Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
Phone Number
(520) 999-7655
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