Best Road Bike Routes in Phoenix
Are you interested in getting a road bike? These quick, agile bikes are perfect for environmentally-friendly transportation, to get a good workout in, or to meet new friends who are as passionate about cycling as you are.
You may have just gotten a road bike and are anxious to try it out, or you could be an old pro looking for a new route to travel. Either way, you’ll want to try out the best road bike routes in the Phoenix area!
PHOENIX’S SOUTH MOUNTAIN SUMMIT ROAD
Massive South Mountain Park (the largest municipal park in the country) is located 8 miles south of downtown Phoenix. This 5.4-mile road has an average gradient of 3%, with some sections hitting the low teens. The Gila Valley Lookout sits at 2,670 feet, making this about a 1,000-foot climb.
MESA’S TORTILLA FLATS ROAD BIKE ROUTE
If you’re looking for killer views, look no farther than the ride from Mesa or Ahwatukee (in the East Valley region of the Phoenix metropolitan area) east to the Superstition Mountains. This scenic route is incredibly gorgeous in March and April, when the abundant wildflowers are in glorious full bloom.
The rolling, winding route climbs nearly 4,000 feet along a roughly 50-mile journey past Canyon Lake and back. This scenic lake is located in the southwest part of the Tonto National Forest in the East Valley. It’s a top-rated destination for boaters during the warmer months.
Caution: The road doesn’t have much of a shoulder, and from late spring through early fall, the number of vehicles pulling boats is extreme. There are also some tight turns on a few of the descents and a metal bridge that can be slick. Use caution when riding this popular scenic route!
PHOENIX’S ICONIC CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN (PLUS PARADISE VALLEY)
This well-known landmark is loaded with short, punchy climbs that will burn your legs and lungs gasping for air. Here are a few of the most challenging climbs in the surrounding area:
- 56th Street has an average gradient of 7% along its 0.6 miles
- “Castle” also has an average gradient of 7%, this time along its 0.7 miles (Category-4 Climb)
- 36th Street is also 0.7 miles, with an average gradient of 8%
- Again, Cholla Lane is 0.7 miles, this time with an average gradient of 9% (Category-4 Climb)
- 59th Place/East Glen Drive is just 0.4 miles, with an average gradient of 11%
Most of these climbs are dead ends, but the 56th Street and “Castle” climbs are both loops that can be enjoyed from either side.
THE RIDE TO AND FROM BARTLETT LAKE
The diverse environment of the Sonoran Desert has much to offer, and you’ll enjoy some of that diversity on the way to Bartlett Lake and back. This Strava category-2 climb covers 13 miles from the Cave Creek road turn-off to the lake with an average gradient of 2%. The descent from the turn-off to the lake’s marina is 1,350 feet.
Choosing to visit Horseshoe Dam will add a few more scenic miles to your trip. Or, if you’re a true roadie, tackle the entire 54-mile route from Phoenix to the lake.
FIND THE BEST ROAD BIKES AND ROUTES IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Maricopa County offers many excellent road bike routes, whether you’re looking for something long and gradual or short and steep. All it takes to enjoy them is some strong legs, plenty of water, and a great road bike. If you’re interested in getting one of the best road bikes for Arizona’s often challenging road bike routes, you’ve come to the right place!
At Curbside Cyclery, we’re as passionate as it gets about cycling in the Valley. Our family-run business will ensure that your road bike will be set up for optimum performance for you, no matter your age or experience level. After all, we want you to enjoy the best road bike for all the fantastic road bike routes in the Phoenix area! Contact us for more information.
Image Credit: Gill Couto
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