Got Gravel?
At the end of January, Richard and I had the opportunity to visit Patagonia, Arizona - and boy were we impressed! So impressed, that we are planning a gravel tour out there in the winter of 2024. Patagonia is a magical little border town nestled in the Patagonia mountains 50 miles south of Tucson and 18 miles north of the Mexican border. Patagonia is the gateway to some of Arizona's greatest gravel roads and still a best kept secret. The town of Patagonia itself is comprised of only 900 residents, a couple bars, restaurants, bike shop and epic views. Sitting at 4,058 ft elevation, the San Rafael Valley has great weather and quiet roads to ride. There are various loops ranging from 30 mile rides to 100 mile rides where you will see beautiful mountains, vast valleys, unique vegetation, and lots of wildlife. We were lucky to see quite a few javelina and the area is also known for several rare species of birds. The gravel roads are pristine and there seems to be no end to them! You could ride for days without repeating the same route. This hidden gem is slowly becoming more and more discovered by cyclists and rightfully so. In November, they hold the Spirit World 50 and 100 mile gravel race which is what put this magical place on the map.
Additionally, 13 miles east of Patagonia is a town called Sonoita consisting of 16 different wineries accessible by bike! How awesome would that be for a day or two? That being said, we would like to incorporate a ride/wine tasting there as part of the tour. Another hour and a half away is an adorable artist community in a town called Bisbee. Bisbee is a gem boasting several art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and the oldest bar in Arizona called St. Elmo. It is not a place for riding but there is a 1000 stair climb for those who would like an extra challenge. Bisbee is built into a canyon so there are stairs everywhere. It honestly feels like you are in another country! The buildings and homes are literally built on top of one another and every wall has a mural on it. I have truly never been anywhere like it! They have a bumper sticker that says, "Bisbee, like Mayberry on Acid." I would say this fully encompasses the vibe there and it's absolutely a town worth visiting for a day.
Tucson is also only 50 miles away and is another very popular cycling destination. We are thinking of doing one day there as well - before heading south as Tucson has an airport that riders would fly into. In Patagonia we found a beautiful retreat center called Bird Song which is where we would stay. The lodging is spectacular and the views are to die for. They are in the process of finishing a pool, sauna, and massive hot tub making it a perfect place to wind down after a day of riding. Overall, we had an amazing trip and there is so much more to be discovered. We really think this is a perfect place for a bike tour and completely understand why it is growing in popularity. We hope you will join us so stay tuned for more info. This will be a unique and unforgettable desert experience!
