The Oro Valley is a suburb of Tucson, Arizona. This affluent town was listed in Fortune Small Business magazine as a top place to "live and launch." According to Nick Jr. Family Magazine, this is one of the top ten "most playful towns in America." One way to take advantage of this playfulness is by participating in a local cycling club. Around Oro Valley there are nearly 50 miles of marked cycling routes to enjoy with fellow cyclists.
Features
The town of Oro Valley has twice received a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community rating from the League of American Bicyclists. The town established a bicycle and pedestrian program in 1999 that works to provide bicycle routes and facilities to the cyclists in the area. These routes are part of an interconnected bicycle program. There are 48.9 miles of marked bike routes, 39.6 miles of paved shoulders and 14.4 miles of shared-use paths in Oro Valley for cyclists to use.
Types of Rides
There are a variety of rides available through the local cycling club in the Oro Valley. These rides range from social rides that are targeted for beginners or first-time group riders to more vigorous 60- to 80-mile-long rides. In addition to these road-group rides, there are also mountain biking group rides available in the Oro Valley. These rides typically take place along the 50-Year Trail, the 24-Hour Course and the Dead Bobby Loop.
Laws
There are several laws that apply to cyclists in the Oro Valley area. When riding with a cycling club in this area, please be aware that you must obey all traffic laws. All individuals under the age of 18 must wear a helmet at all times when cycling. All cyclists must give arm and hand signals when turning and, in the evenings, all cyclists must have a visible white light on the front of their bike and a rear red reflector.
Clubs
Oro Valley Bicycle hosts group rides and special events for bikers throughout the year. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, there is an evening mountain bike ride. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, there is a road ride that is typically around 13 miles in length. On both Saturdays and Sundays, there are several rides available for mountain and road bikes varying in length and difficulty.
Benefits
Cycling is a non-impact cardiovascular sport that helps you burn calories, build muscle mass and strengthen your heart and lungs. In addition to the physical health benefits, when participating in a cycling club, you also benefit from social interaction. Participating in these clubs can help reduce stress and, according to the Arizona Bicycle Club, it can help increase your overall quality of life.
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