Not every ride in Tucson needs to involve a fast group, a major climb or an all-day adventure. Some days we just want to spin the legs, explore the city, stop for coffee or spend a few hours enjoying the desert without worrying about keeping up with a group.

Tucson is particularly good for this kind of riding. The Chuck Huckelberry Loop, neighborhood bikeways, protected bicycle lanes and quieter street connections make it possible to ride between the University of Arizona, downtown Tucson, Mercado San Agustín, parks, coffee shops and long stretches of desert scenery without spending the entire day in traffic.

For the two-route Loop collection and additional planning information, visit our Leisure Routes & The Loop page.

This map is the 60.2-mile Tucson circuit using the Chuck Huckelberry Loop's paved shared-use paths and short connecting segments. It works as a complete endurance ride, but it is equally useful for identifying shorter out-and-back sections and access points.

For a leisure ride, choose the portion that fits the available time, weather and starting location rather than treating the entire circuit as the required distance.

The Chuck Huckelberry Loop is one of Tucson's best resources for riders who want to spend more time enjoying the ride and less time dealing with automobile traffic. Its paved shared-use paths follow Tucson-area river parks and greenways while connecting neighborhoods, parks, trailheads, restaurants and other parts of the city.

You do not need to ride the entire network. Choose a section based on where you are staying, how much time you have and what you want to see. Short out-and-back rides work just as well as longer Loop days.

When someone asks us which part of The Loop to ride purely for the experience, the Cañada del Oro section is usually near the top of the list. The northwest side of the system opens into excellent Catalina Mountain views and offers easy out-and-back options without requiring a complicated route.

Cañada del Oro Riverfront Park is a practical place to begin. From there we like heading north toward Catalina State Park. Continuing into the park adds climbing and requires the appropriate entrance fee, but it also provides an even better look at the Catalina Mountains.

Catalina State Park Information

For most leisure riding, we prefer a comfortable bike that lets us look around rather than stay tucked into a racing position. The right choice depends mainly on how far you want to ride and whether you plan to stay on The Loop or add longer road mileage.