November 11-15, 2026
Southern Arizona-Patagonia Ride
FLASH TRIP! Just announced! Paved and gravel biking through Arizona’s Sky Islands — grassland gravel, world-class bird habitat, historic vineyards, Saguaro National Park, on a hotel-based tour in Sonoita and Patagonia, AZ.
E-gravel and gravel bike rental available!
November 11-15, 2026
Tucson, Arizona. Hotel-based tour.
Fundraise or Pay $3,200
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Event Details
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change. Your Ride Guide will include full details.
This is a fully supported ride, meaning that there is a support vehicle to assist or shuttle. It takes place mostly on intermediate gravel, but there are segments on road. Each day can be made more mellow with a short shuttle.
Day 0
Arrive in Tucson, Arizona
Our ride starts tomorrow morning, so please arrive today, November 10. Or, you can arrive tomorrow (Nov. 11) in the morning, as long as you are at our start location by 1l a.m.). Car parking will be available.
Your Ride Guide will have a recommended hotel.
Day 1
Warm-up ride (all road, no gravel) – Saguaro National Park East
18 mi, +1235 ft, -730 ft
Hop on your bike right from the hotel and pedal into one of Tucson’s most iconic rides. Saguaro National Park protects two swaths of the Sonoran Desert flanking Tucson, home to the largest cacti in the country and some specimens over 150 years old. From our East Tucson location, it’s a short spin to the park’s Rincon Mountain District, where the 8-mile paved Cactus Forest Loop Drive takes you deep into the saguaro forest. This rolling, rollercoaster-style loop winds beneath towering cacti with the Rincon Mountains rising in the background. After our ride, we’ll take a one-hour shuttle to Sonoita. The name Sonoita comes from the O’odham Ṣon ʼOidag, meaning “spring field,” a reference to the natural springs that have drawn people to this grassland for generations.
Day 2
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
34 mi, +1620 ft , -1635 ft (All gravel)
We roll through the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, 45,000 acres of rolling grasslands and oak-studded hills connecting several “sky island” mountain ranges — a rare transitional landscape between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Well-maintained gravel tracks wind through open grassland with big views to distant mountains on every side. Cienega Creek runs through it as a perennial water source, supporting a rich mix of plant and animal life, so keep an eye out for hawks, harriers, and pronghorn as you ride. This same water source sustained Sobaipuri O’odham and Apache communities for generations. No big climbs, no big descents — just enough rolling terrain to keep you honest, set against some of the most iconic grassland scenery Arizona has to offer. A perfect way to open the ride. Tonight, we’ll tuck in at our hotel in Sonoita.
Day 3
Sonoita Creek Corridor to Patagonia
50 mi, +3018 ft, -3019 ft (shorter options with shuttle) (All gravel)
We explore the best of the area today, nestled between the Patagonia and Santa Cruz mountain ranges in Arizona’s Sky Island region. Sitting over 4,000 feet up in the riparian corridor of Sonoita Creek, this stretch has earned a reputation as one of gravel cycling’s rising destinations, mixing hard-packed backroads with grassland and canyon scenery. Expect a bigger day than yesterday — more distance, more climbing, and a landscape that shifts from creekside cottonwoods to wide-open high desert as you go. Tonight we arrive in Patagonia, our home for the next two nights — close to the town’s saloons, cafes, and birding spots for any downtime you have.
Day 4
Grassland Valley & Sonoita Vineyards
56 mi, +2714 ft, -2710 ft (shorter options with shuttle) (Mixed road and gravel)
Today we ride the rolling, wind-swept grassland hills with gentle mountain ranges framing the horizon — scenery familiar from the 1955 film Oklahoma! and Little House on the Prairie. The route rolls past historic cattle ranches and Sonoita Vineyards, Arizona’s oldest commercial winery, with the Whetstone Mountains as a backdrop as we cross the valley. Big miles, big views, and a well-earned glass of Arizona wine at the finish. We return to our hotel in Patagonia for a second night.
Day 5
Patagonia Gravel Network to Madera Canyon
56 mi, +4112 ft · -5330 ft (shorter option with shuttle) (Mixed road and gravel)
Our final day takes us through the Patagonia area’s gravel network, stringing together hard-packed backroads through grasslands and woodlands. The terrain shifts often — canyon sections, open grassland stretches, and rolling back roads — keeping the riding varied and engaging mile after mile, with big views of the surrounding Sky Island ranges throughout.
Our ride takes us to Madera Canyon, rated as one of the best birding destinations in the country, with more than 250 species spotted here, including the Elegant Trogon, Elf Owl, and over 15 species of hummingbirds. Keep your eyes up between pedal strokes — this is a route as good for wildlife watching as it is for riding. We’ll wrap up the ride and shuttle back to Tucson, returning ~5 pm. Please do not book flights before 7 pm.
FAQs and More Info
What is included?
Included:
- Expert guides, route support, and luggage transfer
- Pickup and drop off in Tucson, Arizona
- Hotels (2 nights Sonoita, 2 nights Patagonia)
- All meals, electrolytes, and snacks (except one dinner in Patagonia)
- A CR memento (we’ll have either gloves, socks, or t-shirts for you)
Not Included:
- Bicycle — gravel bike required (recommend 42mm tires or wider for more comfort). Rental options: You can rent e-gravel (limited supply) and regular gravel bikes from us! Please reach out to [email protected] with your event name and rental bike request.
- Binoculars! We’ll have a few sets, but bring you own.
- Travel to/from the event and any pre- or post-ride accommodations
- Travel/supplemental medical insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for guides (recommended amounts noted in your Ride Guide)
- Single supplement fee, if applicable
Getting there and away
You can arrive the night before (Nov 10) and stay at our designated pre-trip hotel in Tucson. If you are driving, you can park at this hotel for the duration of the trip (cost $15/day). If your flights or driving allow, you can arrive the morning of Nov 11 (Day 1) as long as you arrive at our pre-trip hotel by 11 am.
At the end of the trip (Nov 15), we’ll return to Tucson ~5 pm with drop off at the hotel and the airport. Do not book flights before 7 pm.
What level of gravel riding is this?
We rate this as an intermediate gravel experience. It is well suited to intermediate to advanced cyclists comfortable on hard-packed backroads and rolling terrain. There can be some washboard and sandy sections. Please see our blog post on rating gravel rides.
Travel Information
The meeting location for this trip is Tucson, Arizona. If you’re flying in, plan to arrive the day before the trip starts (TUS airport). If you’re driving, you can park for the week in Tucson, where the ride begins and ends.
Can I rent a bike?
Rentals are available for this trip. We’ll have your bike ready for you when you arrive. All bikes come with a small front bag and tools.
Salsa E-bike: $500
Salsa Gravel Bike: $300
After registering, contact your participant manager for more information.
Accommodations & Single Supplements
This is an all-hotel, double-occupancy trip — two nights in Sonoita, two nights in Patagonia. If you prefer your own room and there’s availability, single supplements are available for an additional fee (please inquire after you register). If you sign up as a solo traveler, we’ll do our best to pair you with a roommate of the same gender; if we can’t find one, you’ll be charged the single supplement fee of $380.
What does my fundraising support, and why is it so important?
The grasslands, canyons, and creek corridors you’ll ride through aren’t just scenery — they’re one of the most significant bird migration corridors in North America. More than 300 species pass through the Sonoita Creek watershed alone during the late spring and summer, and the Sky Islands beyond it host everything from Elegant Trogons to over a dozen hummingbird species, drawing birders from around the world to this small stretch of Arizona. While we aren’t there for peak birding (because it would be too hot!), we’ll likely see sandhill cranes, raptors, the winter flocks of sparrows, and varieties of hummingbirds and woodpeckers.
Proceeds from this ride will help Climate Ride programs and allow us to make grants to local conservation organizations working to protect this vital space— the same creek corridors, grasslands, and canyons you’ll pedal through over five days. It’s a rare kind of ride: every mile takes you deeper into the habitat, and proceeds you raise helps make sure it’s still there for the next rider, and the next trogon, to find.
Thank you for being the kind of traveler who leaves a place better than you found it. Most people who visit a place like this take a few photos and move on — you’re funding its future. That’s what sets Climate Ride travelers apart: you don’t just pass through these landscapes, you help protect them, mile by mile and dollar by dollar.
*There is no grantee choice on this event.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | 8/11/2026 |
| $1,600 to be raised by: | 9/10/2026 |
| Transfer Deadline: | 9/10/2026 |
| $3,200 to be raised by | 10/12/2026 |
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
Full Event Story
Tucked between the Patagonia and Santa Cruz mountain ranges, Arizona’s Sky Island region is a rare transitional landscape where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet — 45,000-acre grasslands, oak-studded hills, and perennial creeks that draw hawks, harriers, and pronghorn. This is the traditional homeland of the Tohono O’odham, Sobaipuri, Ndee (Apache), and Opata peoples, who cultivated the region’s grasslands and river corridors for thousands of years. Our 5-day, 4-night gravel tour is your gateway into it, connecting well-maintained backroads through Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, the riparian corridor of Sonoita Creek, and the high desert grasslands that surround the ranching towns of Sonoita and Patagonia.
You’ll spend two nights in Sonoita and two nights in Patagonia — a small town known for its funky saloons, cozy cafes, and its place among the top birding destinations in the country. Along the way, the route rolls past historic cattle ranches, Sonoita Vineyards (Arizona’s oldest commercial winery), and the Whetstone Mountains, with a stop for a well-earned glass of Arizona wine. The final day threads through Patagonia’s gravel network to Madera Canyon, rated one of the best birding destinations in the country with more than 250 species recorded, including the Elegant Trogon, Elf Owl, and over 15 species of hummingbirds.
This is an intermediate gravel tour — well suited to riders comfortable on hard-packed backroads and rolling terrain, with big-sky grassland views on every mile. As a fully supported Climate Ride event, your fundraising directly benefits environmental and conservation efforts.
More Than a Bike Tour: A Ride for the Planet
This is more than just a vacation; it’s a Climate Ride. You’ll be part of a vibrant and inspiring community of cyclists, advocates, and changemakers, all pedaling for a common cause. As a charity event, your participation and fundraising efforts directly support vital environmental initiatives and non-profits working on the front lines of climate, conservation, and active transportation.
The Sky Islands you’ll ride through are one of North America’s great bird migration corridors — over 300 bird species pass through the Sonoita Creek watershed alone during the summertime. Proceeds from this ride will help Climate Ride programs and allow us to make grants to local conservation organizations working to protect this vital space, because Climate Ride travelers don’t just pass through wild places, they help make sure the birds — and everything else that calls it home — are still there for the next rider to find.
If you’re looking for an adventure that fills your spirit, challenges your body, and makes a real difference in the world, this is it. Join us for an unforgettable journey of discovery, community, and purpose.
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