Owl Buttes Eye of the Needle from Marana

Near Marana, parking is at the San Lucas Community Park which includes restrooms. Note this is not the sandy parking areas some riders may be familiar with.San Lucas Community Park.

DURATION3 hours

ROUTE MAPS https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45636631

THE RIDE*** This one is self-guided by those who show up. Andy is traveling, but a lot of club riders have done this one so you'll have plenty of friends who know the way. If one of you wants to post here to help host at the ride start, please do. ***Please bring your GPX on the bike, since the group can break up at times. This route is one of our new club favorites, running through the eye of the needle around the base of the Owl Buttes and avoiding the bulk of the sand in this area. 32 miles and 1,450 ft of climbing, most of the gravel is in very nice condition with just a couple miles on a pretty good gas line double track. What makes this ride special is the amazing buttes so close to town.

TERRAIN: Nearly all of this ride is "Cruisin Gravel", smooth and easy. But there is about 5 miles of adventure terrain with ruts to watch for. Adventure gravel includes light technical terrain like double track, farming and mining roads, and potentially longer stretches of sand. There'll be areas where you have to pick your track and focus, and most riders will walk certain stretches of sand or short steeps. Modest handling skills and 45mm or wider tires will make this kind of ride a good time. Examples are Kentucky Camp and Catalina Petroglyphs.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE RIDERS: This is not a speed run, it will be a casual pace and we'll regroup from time to time making a reasonable effort to stick together.

Our rides are intermediate in terms of physical effort. Rides are generally 4 to 6-hour efforts in remote unsupported areas sometimes without cell coverage. Riders are expected to be capable of self-supported repairs like fixing flats and mechanicals, carrying sufficient food and water for the multi-hour rides, and having on-bike navigation. There is no sag, nor a final ride sweep. If a rider falls far behind, makes a wrong turn, or turns back; we aren't capable of seeking them out or all turning back to regroup.

This group, its members and host assume no responsibility for the health and safety of any attendee. In accordance, each attendee agrees to assume personal responsibility for any injury that may occur during or after participation in the event."