Looping the Diamond

March 1, 2025

With our days counting down in Tucson there's one must-do ride left on our list - to circle the diamond-shaped Loop around the city. We've put it off hoping Barry would get his recumbent back for this ride. The gravel bike has been great for climbing the hills we've gone after lately, but the Lightning R-84 is much more fun for him on a flatter course like the Loop.

It isn't meant to be. The R-84 is stuck at Fair Wheel Bikes waiting on a new crank from Lightning. Patrick at the shop is optimistic it'll be done before we leave town next Thursday. Lucky thing that Barry brought that gravel bike, it's been an awesome backup.

So today's the day, and it's sure to be a breezy one. The last two years we rode clockwise around the Loop; this time we'll take Kelly's suggestion to go the other way.

We're starting off riding southeast on Julian Wash from one point of the diamond. A southwest wind could push us east and then north down the hill on the Harrison Greenway. That sounds fun. Riding south up the Santa Cruz into the wind at the end of the ride won't be so great, but what are you gonna do.

This all might make more sense if we move the map up to the start:

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We're starting from Julian Wash Archaeological Park. A cultural history walk here goes around some exhibits about the Hohokam people who built a village and farmed this area around the 1100s.

Just before 10:00 we pedal off southeast. In the first couple miles the bike path hops across city streets a few times as we ride around the VA hospital. It's good to get this part out of the way early and get back on the quiet path along Julian Wash.

Ramada at the Julian Wash Archaeological Park

Ollas like these replicas were made by Tohono O'Odham potters to store drinking water. Evaporation from the clay walls of the jars kept the water cool.

The only icky part of the route where we cross Ajo Way at 2nd Avenue, doesn't last long

Rincon Peak appears through the Joining Hands archway. Artist Chris Tanz designed it based on an ancient Hohokam clay pot with figures like these joining hands to encircle the vessel.

A figure representing people who lived here 900 years ago looks out towards a passing train

The southern point of the diamond has a short section of bike lane on Rita Road that's pretty quiet, with a few cars going not very fast. That takes us to the Harrison Greenway. We rarely ride this part north. I don't know why because it's awesome going down the hill with the wind at our backs. We're both pedaling the big gears down Harrison to Pantano Wash.

A clear shot going downhill on Harrison Greenway. The wind might be keeping the crowds down today.

Water over the bridge approaching Fort Lowell Park

One we turn northwest on the Rillito a gusty wind blows across our path. Near the Swan Bridge we take a break at the little park to eat our sandwiches and rest for bit.

From here we go on to see what I think is the best collection of public art on the Loop - along the Rillito. This part of the path is usually busier on a Saturday. Not many other fools are out here today.

Robin Riley created her “Marble Waters” mosaic on the Alamo Wash bridge as “a little piece of the river that is alive and can be enjoyed anytime.” The tiles have a feeling of water rambling over pebbles in a stream.

"Wild Spirit" by Al Glann near the Swan Bridge

We get a little shade and a windbreak at our lunch spot

One of many small tile art pieces found on bridges around the Loop

I like how the bridge lines up with the Tracks and Trails mural ahead. We don't usually approach it from this end.

Joshua Werner's "Nature of Movement" is bigger than I thought

There's a least one more of these angular box bridges on the Canada del Oro. Fun to ride through the shadows.

The fun is over once we cross I-10 at the north point of the diamond and start riding south on the Santa Cruz. A 28 mph wind bears down on us from the south, blowing up a dust storm along the highway. It makes the last 10 miles a battle.

A familiar bridge near Christopher Columbus Park

Two miles from the end, here's one we haven't seen before - Pebbles the Great Plains Toad. The vintage 1950s concrete frog was rescued from a storage facility and freshly painted by students at City High School.

We come through the sandstorm grittier but happy to have circled the diamond one more time. I don't know where else we could find a 50+ mile loop on a bike path with so much cool stuff to see. This is one we'll be back to do again, hopefully many times.

Today's ride: 54 miles (87 km)
Total: 879 miles (1,415 km)

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Rich FrasierWhen we were in Tucson in December, my buddy Doug (a local resident) guided me along this ride. We did this the opposite way. You’re right - it’s an amazing piece of cycling infrastructure. I was surprised by how many cyclists were out enjoying the day. This is something that Tucson can be proud of. Great write-up! I missed some of the art along the way. Doug sets a strong pace…
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1 month ago

Janice BranhamTo Rich FrasierI'm so glad you got to ride this! There's much more art than what I posted; seems like there's always something new to see.
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1 month ago