This ride is one of our Clubs oldest rides. It started back in 1979 when we called ourselves Los Turistas. Phil Smith who was one of the founders of our Club conceived this ride. Gene Chapman then took over as the ride organizer for this ride for many years. That is why the official name for this ride is TUMACACORI CENTURY GENE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL BICYCLE RIDE.
The Tumacacori Ride was one of our most successful rides because it was normally in the month of October right after the heat of the summer and is a few weeks before the El Tour de Tucson. The route is mostly flat with and very scenic because one rides passed the Pecan Groves just before Green Valley. In Green Valley you pass numerous golf courses that are nice and green. Farther South is Amado and the Long Horn Restaurant, famous for its Longhorns over the front door. This location is also the turn off to ride to the town of Arivaca. In some years this was an option to add a few more miles.
The next stop would be the Tumacacori Mission. It was built in the 1750’s. This is one of the oldest Missions built by the Jesuit Priests in Southern Arizona and is now a National Historical Park. There are many Mesquite trees that provide shade for this SAG stop so you can cool off and refuel. After passing the Mission you encounter the town of Tubac, a great place to purchase many types of artworks for your home. Leaving Tubac you ride back to Amado and then end up at Sahuarita Town Hall for lunch, catered by Subway or EEGEES.
The initial start for this ride was at Kennedy Park and over many years it has moved to Sahuarita H/S and then Sahuarita Town Center. There have been many route changes during the last 40 years. Some years the routes went East on Sahuarita Rd to Houghton and back or down to Calabasas Picnic grounds which is near Pena Blanca Lake, up to the Keystone Peak or to Whipple Visitor Center in the Santa Rita Mountains. In 1984 we had 105 riders, 483 riders in 1987, 450 in 1992 and by 2006 had 647 riders. We offered 25-, 60- and 100-mile options.
The last few years we had to cancel this ride because of the Covid-19 restrictions. It takes at least six months of planning to put on this event along with many volunteers to man the SAG stops, put out all the turn signs, deliver all the food to the SAGS and help with the lunch. Hope to see everyone on this ride next year.