Chasing Sun and Motivation: A Mid-Winter Training Trip in Tucson

Written by Logan Gauthier

Winter is the hardest time of year to be a cyclist. The days are short, the weather is unpredictable, and it can be difficult to find motivation to train without races on the immediate horizon.

That’s exactly why three of us from the Mustangs packed our bikes and headed west to Tucson, Arizona. We booked the trip before realizing that winter storm Fern would impact Tennessee while we were away. As the storm caused significant disruptions back home, it highlighted just how challenging winter training can be and how fortunate we were to have a window of warm, reliable riding in Tucson.

Tucson has long been a winter refuge for cyclists of all levels, from amateurs to WorldTour pros. Warm temperatures, long climbs, and a deeply ingrained cycling culture make it an ideal place to train when most of the country is stuck indoors. For us, the trip wasn’t just about fitness. It was about resetting motivation at a time of year when it’s easiest to lose it.

While our official team camp isn’t until March, it was still valuable to get a few Mustangs together mid-winter. Riding hard, sharing miles, and spending time off the bike together goes a long way, even in a small group, and it makes the wait for team camp feel a little shorter.

Days 1–3: Settling In and Stacking Miles

We wasted no time kicking things off by climbing Mount Lemmon. It was warm in the valley, but as with any extended climb, the temperature dropped steadily as we gained elevation. The irony wasn’t lost on us. We flew to Tucson to escape winter, only to ride our bikes up a mountain to find snow at the top.

At the summit, we stopped at the Cookie Cabin, a must-visit for any cyclist on Lemmon. Coffee, pizza, chili, and plate-sized cookies hit the spot before we bundled up for the descent back into the valley. Rolling downhill toward sunset, legs tired but spirits high, it already felt like the trip was a win.

The following day was a flatter endurance ride out to Oro Valley. With Sonoran Desert scenery and the Santa Catalina Mountains as a backdrop, it was a perfect day to continue stacking base miles.

Even on a training trip, recovery matters. For day 3, we took a lighter recovery day, grabbed some coffee with friends, and prepared for the remaining days.

Day 4: Shootout

If you’re a racer and you find yourself in Tucson on a Saturday, you can’t miss hitting up The Shootout group ride.

The Shootout is fast, aggressive, and brutally selective, and it attracts some serious talent. With riders like Quinn Simmons and Keegan Swenson driving the pace, it’s never going to be an easy ride. The pace was relentless, and whether you hang on longer than expected or get your teeth kicked in early, the result is the same: motivation.

Getting dropped can light a fire to get fitter before race season. Doing better than expected can reinforce that winter work is paying off. Either way, rides like this remind you exactly why you train.

Days 5 & 6: Bonus Miles and Good Company

Originally, the plan was to wrap things up after day five, but winter storm Fern had other ideas. With flights back to Tennessee delayed, we unexpectedly found ourselves with a couple of bonus days in Tucson.

Rather than waste them, we leaned into it. We spent both days riding Mount Lemmon and surrounding roads with friends. If there’s a better way to kill time during a winter travel delay, we haven’t found it.

Why Trips Like This Matter

The fitness gains from a week in Tucson are real, but the mental boost might be even more important. Getting away to somewhere warm during the dead of winter breaks the monotony, restores excitement, and makes the upcoming race season feel tangible again.

Winter looks different for different riders. Some spend the season grinding away on the indoor trainer, which can be effective but monotonous. Others prefer to ride outside no matter what, bundling up and braving winter conditions. A mid-winter trip like this works for both.

For riders who spend most of the winter indoors, Tucson means getting back on real roads. Cornering, descending, riding in groups, and sharpening bike-handling skills simply can’t be replicated on the trainer. For riders who tough it out outside all winter, it’s a rare chance to trade layers and frozen fingers for sunshine and dry pavement.

With team camp just around the corner in March, this trip served as a reminder of what we’re building toward. When it’s cold, dark, and quiet at home, it’s easy to lose sight of why you put in the work. Trips like this reconnect training with joy, camaraderie, and purpose.

For the Mustangs, Tucson wasn’t just a training destination. It was a reminder that winter doesn’t have to be a grind—it can be a launchpad.