Tucson is getting in on the gravel grinding action with a race in September.
Riding road style bikes and dirt roads or gravel grinding has been surging across the bicycling community in recent years and a local group is hoping to capitalize on the trend.
Race organizer American Bunnyhop and Arizona Zipline Adventures are teaming up for gravel grinding race on September 17th.
The race will feature 40 and 50 mile loops, which will consist of 10.5 miles of paved roads with the remaining being dirt roads around Oracle and the backside of Mt. Lemmon.
Here’s what the organizers are saying about the event:
For the inaugural year, the Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder will focus on a 40 mile loop that skirts below the main climb up the backside of the mountain There will also be a 50 mile option with a 6 mile out and back added at the turn around point for the die-hard climbers who want a taste of the steeper backroad of Mt Lemmon. The course consists of both dirt and paved road and offers an overall elevation gain of just under 4000 ft.
The Mt. Lemmon Gravel Grinder is the first public event to wind its way up the backroads of Mt Lemmon and American Bunnyhop is grateful to all those who have trusted our good intentions to celebrate and respect this incredible terrain.
Entry fees for the event range from $70 to $120 depending on when you register and the distance you choose. Each entry fee includes a meal and drink ticket, ticket to Blugrass Festival and a t-shirt.
Learn more about the race at their website.