Start times change with the Sun and time of year. Check out this page for details and maps.  https://www.fairwheelbikes.com/service/group-rides/

Few rides are as deeply woven into Tucson cycling culture as The Shootout. Started in the early 1970s by Ralph Phillips of Fair Wheel Bikes, it has grown from a handful of riders into one of the oldest and largest continuously running group rides in the country.

And it is fast. 22-28 MPH averages,

Every Saturday morning, riders gather near the University of Arizona before heading south through Tucson and onto the open roads toward Sahuarita. The traditional ride is closer to 70 miles, although riders looking for a bigger day sometimes add the climb toward Madera Canyon for extra miles and elevation.

Over the decades, The Shootout has attracted generations of Tucson’s strongest cyclists along with visiting professionals, Olympians, national champions, and winter training camps. Don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing the pack with professional cyclists. Local pros Matthew Riccitello and Quinn Simmons, both of whom have raced the Tour de France, are among the riders who have shown up for The Shootout. When cycling season is in full swing, the pack can swell to well over 100 riders.

This isn’t a casual Saturday morning spin. The main Shootout, or A group, is a fast, competitive ride where knowing how to ride safely in a large, high-speed peloton is important. There are attacks, sprints, breakaways, and plenty of opportunities to discover exactly where your fitness stands.

Old Man Shootout 19-23 Average speed.

Fortunately, you don’t have to hang with the fastest riders in Tucson to experience the tradition.

The Old Man Shootout, also known as the Scootout, follows much of the same tradition at a slightly more civilized pace. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s still a strong ride. This is not the beginner group. It simply provides experienced recreational and endurance cyclists an opportunity to enjoy the Shootout experience without quite the intensity of the A group.

There is also an Old-Old Man Shootout, offering another step down in pace and a more social experience. The staggered starts allow riders to choose the group that best matches their ability.

Women’s Shootout

Tucson has also had a Women’s Shootout, a women-led Saturday ride traditionally leaving from Mercado San Agustín. Leadership and schedules have changed over the years, so riders interested in joining should check the Women’s Shootout – Tucson Facebook page for current information before heading out.

A Tucson Rite of Passage

The Shootout is more than a training ride. After more than half a century, it has become part of Tucson cycling history. Generations of local riders have measured themselves on these roads, and countless visiting cyclists have discovered that Tucson’s reputation as a winter cycling destination isn’t just about sunshine and mountains.

For experienced road cyclists visiting Tucson, riding one of the Shootout groups is almost a rite of passage. Pick the group that matches your ability, know your group-riding etiquette, bring plenty of water and nutrition, and be prepared to work.

And if you decide to jump into the main Shootout, don’t say nobody warned you.