The Special Event Ride to Pinal Air Park...
The weather looks good this time. Maybe windy.
Terrain: Absolutely no hills, unless you count a couple of overpasses
Distance: about 70 miles
Level: "relaxed B"
Ride leaders: Doug Toussaint, wdtoussaint@gmail.com, 520-954-5653
Ride Description:
This is a longer ride than most of ours, but, just to prove it is possible, we found a route that is mostly flat. Since it is a long ride, we will take the B pace moderate and steady.
We will head out River Rd, make our way up to Ina Rd to avoid construction, and jump on the I-10 frontage road out to Marana. Take Mandarina Rd, then across the Avra Valley to Pinal Air Park. Return via Trico Rd, Avra Valley Rd., then take the bikepath back to the start. We have fresh, smooth pavement on Trico Rd, which even includes a bike lane for much of the way. Grab a beer or lunch at Union Public House afterwards.
There are convenience store stops at around mile 25 and 45, and a portable toilet at mile 52. But do bring some food and plenty of water.
According to WIkipedia, Pinal Air Park is now the "largest commercial aircraft storage and heavy maintenance facility in the world". It is best known from its days as a secret CIA training base during the VIet Nam war. It has also been a filming site for at least one movie -- "Terminal Velocity".
GPX file: pinal_air_park_v2.gpx
Cue sheet: pinal_cue_sheet.pdf
