Growing Intentionally
Growing Intentionally
by Damion Alexander
Cycling has become one of the most powerful cultural and economic drivers across northern Pima County. From long rides on the Chuck Huckelberry Loop to nationally recognized road events that attract athletes from across the country and around the world, riders are discovering what local cyclists have known for years.
Marana and Oro Valley offer one of the most complete cycling environments in the American Southwest.
Last month, the Towns of Marana and Oro Valley formalized their long-standing collaboration around cycling tourism, events, and infrastructure by approving an intergovernmental agreement. This agreement establishes a regional partnership focused on planning and producing cycling initiatives while supporting long-term tourism and economic growth. Both town councils approved the agreement after recognizing cycling as a shared regional asset that enhances residents’ quality of life while positioning northern Pima County as a premier cycling destination.
“For years, our communities have worked together to host rides, races, and experiences that bring people here and get them moving across our stunning desert landscape,” said Stefanie Boe, tourism and marketing manager for the Town of Marana. “This agreement formalizes that collaboration and ensures we are growing cycling—and all forms of biking—in a way that is intentional.”
Together, Marana and Oro Valley offer miles of smooth pavement, bicycle-friendly infrastructure, and scenic desert routes paired with mild winter temperatures that attract visiting cyclists while much of the country remains cold. Northern Pima County cycling is built for riders of every skill level. Roads are wide, well maintained, and designed with cyclists in mind. Many main roads, including Tangerine Road, First Avenue, and La Cañada Drive, have generous shoulders or separate bike facilities that allow riders to travel safely, linking neighborhoods, parks, and trailheads.
Both communities have a culture of sharing the road. Drivers understand cyclists and respect their presence, which helps riders feel safe and supported whether they are training, riding for fitness, or out for a family ride. Training happens beneath wide open desert skies, with constant mountain views motivating riders mile after mile. Quiet desert roads, rolling foothills, and backcountry routes offer variety and challenge for every rider.
For endurance cyclists, the Chuck Huckelberry Loop offers nearly 150 miles of paved shared-use path, connecting Marana, Oro Valley, and Tucson. Riders can log long, steady miles without repeating the same scenery, traveling through parks, neighborhoods, and quiet desert landscapes. Naranja Park has become a focal point, anchoring the loop and serving as a gathering space for cyclists of all ages.
In addition to road cycling, the northwest side boasts some of the region’s most rewarding mountain bike routes. The Tortolita Preserve, located near Dove Mountain, offers gentle terrain that is accessible for beginners or casual riders, but the real thrill lies in the trails that wind through the Tortolita Mountains. These routes are steep, technical, and challenging, demanding skill and fitness as riders climb and descend through rugged desert terrain. They are considered some of the most exhilarating trails in the region for advanced mountain bikers.
The trail system extending north from Catalina State Park up toward the town of Catalina also adds variety. Riders can follow the Honeybee Trail, which begins at the park and travels along more user-friendly terrain before connecting with the more technical singletrack that climbs into the Tortolita Mountains. This combination of accessible trails and advanced options allows riders of all levels to find routes suited to their ability while experiencing the beauty and challenge of the desert landscape.
Naranja Park has also recently added a BMX and pump track, creating one of the most complete cycling hubs in the region. A pump track is a continuous loop of rolling features and banked turns where riders generate momentum by shifting their body weight instead of pedaling. The Naranja Park pump track includes multiple lines, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. It is lit for evening use and sits next to the skate park, providing a central hub for wheeled sports in Oro Valley. Families, youth riders, and athletes can all develop skills in a safe environment before transitioning to more challenging terrain.
Weather is another major reason riders flock to this area. Mild temperatures and reliable sunshine from fall through spring make northern Pima County ideal for winter training blocks and preseason camps. Even in summer, early morning rides are typically comfortable in the seventies and low eighties. This dependable climate allows cyclists to train year-round and attracts riders from across the country looking for consistent conditions.
Events remain central to the cycling identity of northern Pima County. Since 2012, Marana and Oro Valley have partnered on major cycling initiatives, including the Marana Oro Valley Experience, the Tucson Bicycle Classic, and the Project Echelon Grand Fondo. These events attract participants from across the region and beyond, bringing visitors who fill hotels, dine locally, and return year after year.
The Tucson Bicycle Classic, founded in 1989, is one of the longest-running and most respected early season stage races in the country. Oro Valley hosts the circuit race at Naranja Park while Marana hosts the time trial prologue on the Loop. A time trial is a race against the clock in which riders start individually at set intervals and compete alone over a 4.5-mile course. The Marana prologue follows a section of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop and passes by parks and scenic mountain vistas. Spectators can bring a chair, enjoy food trucks, and watch riders compete along the route.
The Tucson Bicycle Classic fills hotel rooms, draws club riders, and brings elite teams for early-season training. Many participants return not just for the event but also to live in the area, drawn by the cycling culture, roads, and desert scenery.
The Oro Valley Triathlon adds another dimension to the region’s cycling opportunities. A triathlon combines swimming, cycling, and running, testing endurance, versatility, and strategy. This event has become a regional staple, drawing participants who discover the area’s roads, trails, and outdoor lifestyle through the race.
Project Echelon is a nonprofit cycling organization that supports veterans through physical activity, personal growth, and long-term health. The Project Echelon Grand Fondo is a noncompetitive ride of 37 or 50 miles that takes riders through both communities. This event is open to veterans and cyclists of all abilities, aligning with Marana’s designation as a Purple Heart town and reinforcing community support for veterans.
Under the new agreement, Marana and Oro Valley will continue to co-program events, coordinate regional marketing, and evaluate economic impact and community benefit. The partnership also creates a framework for expanding beyond events into education, safety awareness, and long-term planning.
This collaboration aligns with Marana’s Tourism Master Plan and Oro Valley’s Destination Management Plan, both of which prioritize outdoor recreation as a key economic driver. That shared vision was recognized in 2024 when the tourism departments of both towns received the Governor’s Tourism Award for Best Tourism Partnership from the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Whether visitors come for a stage race, a triathlon, a weekend trail ride, or a winter training block, they experience more than just a single event. They experience a region where cycling is woven into daily life, where infrastructure, scenery, and community come together. The agreement between Marana and Oro Valley is about more than just planning events; it is about recognizing and protecting what already exists. Northern Pima County offers performance, beauty, and challenge mile after mile, making it a destination where the joy of riding meets the landscape itself.