Join route designer Sarah Swallow this January and February for a series of free single-day group rides through the region around the breathtaking Sky Islands Odyssey Route in southern Arizona. Find details about the Sky Islands Adventure Ride Series here…

Artwork by Mary Lytle, photos by Sarah Swallow

Our friend Sarah Swallow will be hosting a series of free group rides along the beautiful Sky Islands Odyssey Route in January and February, ranging from 37 to 50 miles and promising incredible views, pristine tracks and trails, and plenty of climbing. Find an outline of dates and details about the ride series below—taken directly from Sarah’s site—as well as a link to get signed up for notifications.

  • Sky Islands Odyssey West Loop
  • Sky Islands Odyssey East Loop

Sky Islands Adventure Ride Series Dates

  • January 9: Patagonia Adventure (58-miles + 4,000 ft)
  • January 23: Santa Rita East Adventure (47-miles +2,700 ft)
  • February 6: Santa Rita West Adventure (42-miles +4,600 ft)
  • February 20: Whetstone Adventure (46-miles +2,793 ft)

What is an adventure ride?

Adventure rides are extreme gravel rides that include more technical surfaces and steep terrain than your average gravel ride. Most of the routes within the Sky Islands Adventure Ride Series include surfaces ranging from smooth and washboard gravel, loose, very steep, rocky, and even sandy terrain over a mix of paved, gravel, and jeep roads, as well as single-track.

Self-supported?

Sky Islands Adventure Rides are completely self-supported with little-to-no resupply options. Each rider is responsible for their own food, water, mechanicals, clothing, navigation, and their safe completion of the ride no matter how long it may take.

  • Sky Islands Odyssey West Loop
  • Sky Islands Odyssey West Loop
  • Sky Islands Odyssey West Loop

Ideal Gear

The ideal bicycles for the Sky Islands Adventure Rides are bicycles equipped with a minimum tire size of 47mm – 2.3″ tires with a wide range of gears. Each rider should have a GPS device and/or have the route downloaded onto their phone. Gloves. The ability to carry plenty of water and food for 6-8 hours is also important. Layers, gloves, helmet, lights, tool kit, pump, etc.

Fill out this form to receive email notifications about the Sky Islands Adventure Ride Series. Emails will include information on the routes, how to RSVP (each ride will be limited to 25-people), start location and times, night-before camping options, group ride structure, and more.”

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