Rolling through vast desert vistas and historic western towns, you’ll catch yourself falling in love with cycling in Cochise County. Not only will you find fun riding opportunities, but there are also a wide variety of restaurants and bars to relax in after a gratifying day in the saddle. There are plenty of shops, museums, and artwork to explore before or after rides, as well. With the serene open road and the quaint towns, it’s easy to enjoy several days of riding in Cochise County.
Flying into Tucson, Arizona is one of the easiest ways to access Cochise County. In addition to renting a car, you may also need to rent a bike, unless you decide to fly with your own. For this, we recommend starting your tour by heading down to Sierra Vista, just over an hour southeast of Tucson. Ample lodging, restaurants, and most importantly both Sun and Spokes and M&M Cycling are there, ready to meet your bike rental needs. The variety of hotel options in Sierra Vista also includes several RV parks, if you decide to road trip to the area instead.
After getting your gear for the trip, stop by The Peacock just up the street from M&M Cycling for a quick bite of delicious Vietnamese food.
Once you’re all fueled up and settled in, consider going for a sunset ride around the Cochise College Sierra Vista Campus, a flat 14-mile loop with scenic mountain views, in the northeast part of town.
Get an early start to take advantage of the cooler Arizona morning, and set out on the 60.8-mile Bisbee Loop. This exciting route will take you from Sierra Vista, along wide-open stretches and canyon climbs, through the unique town of Bisbee.
After heading southeast out of Sierra Vista, prepare to ascend 1,500 feet on Highway 80. As you make your way into Bisbee, be sure to use the North Old Divide Road rather than the Mule Pass Tunnel. The historic copper mining town is full of vibrant art, interesting antique shops, and quality restaurants. Stop for lunch at Contessa’s Cantina before heading back up and out of the canyon, back to Sierra Vista.
After hanging up your helmet for the day, we recommend checking out Pizzeria Mimosa for a well-deserved pizza and glass of wine. The chef’s kiss to end a perfect day.
Pack up the bikes, grab a coffee to go, and make your way up to Willcox, about an hour northeast of Sierra Vista. This quaint town offers wine tastings from local vineyards, museums dedicated to local heroes and history, and natural treasures such as Chiricahua National Monument.
When you arrive in town, you will find free parking and space to gear up at the Historical Railroad Avenue Park. Take the time to hop across the street and snap a selfie in front of the Willcox mural next to the Willcox Historic Theater.
From there, cruise southeast out of town on Highway 186 to follow the Willcox Flyer race route. This out and back ride will take you to the top of the Dos Cabezas Mountains, over rolling hills, and through wide open vistas. You’ll bike until you reach mile marker 33, which is 17 miles from town, and from there you can choose to return to town or continue your ride an additional 17 miles to reach the Chiricahua National Monument.
Whether you explore Chiricahua National Monument on two wheels or later in a car, top your day off by kicking back with a margarita at La Unica Restaurant & Tortilleria or grabbing a delicious and filling meal at Big Tex BBQ, you won’t go wrong either way!
Before heading off to your next destination, be sure to swing back through Sierra Vista to drop off your bikes, if you rented them. Consider having lunch at the Angry German (and don’t skip the pie!). If you have time to spare, take a quick trip up to Ramsey Canyon to take in the scenery at a much slower pace, before making your way back to Tucson, or wherever your travels may take you!
