_ The 2018 Heart Of Arizona:

The Heart of Arizona is a classic bicycle ride started in 1983 and resurrected twelve years ago by the Bullshifters Bicycling Club.  This year the century route was changed to give participants the opportunity to climb Yarnell Grade, made famous by the Race Across America.  It's a seven mile climb on wide, smooth shoulders that stays a steady 5% to 6% while giving spectacular views of Vulture Peak and the enormous valley that marks the end of the low lying Sonoran Desert in Arizona.  

After leaving the small town of Yarnell, you will find the route mostly downhill with a few rollers as you leave the green pastures of Peeples Valley.  After stopping at the first SAG at Kirkland Junction you'll make your way on the virtually unknown, low traffic Wagoner Road to the turnaround before climbing to the second SAG in the hamlet of Wilhoit.  Then you will make your way back to Kirkland Junction and take a right up to the small village of Skull Valley, where the third SAG will be waiting for you.  You will then return to the location of the first SAG, which will also be your last SAG.  There’s a climb to get back to Yarnell, but your reward is the thrilling 7 mile descent of Yarnell Hill!  This is what you’ve worked for all day long.  After the e-ticket descent, you’ll have a couple miles of soft peddling and story telling with your riding buds as you cruise on in to the finish.  

Bullshifter SAGs compete with one another to be the best SAG on the ride.  Each one will have the standard fare riders expect to nourish their bodies, but Bullshifter SAGs often give the riders something extra special.  Sometimes it's roasted chicken sandwiches, roasted potatoes, home made pastries, or root beer floats.  Many riders have told us the Heart of Arizona is the best supported ride they have ever ridden.

The 44 mile riders will turnaround at the first SAG in Kirkland Junction.  Once you’ve rested and refueled, you get to retrace your route back to the finish where helpful volunteers await your arrival.  Did I mention the 7 mile descent of Yarnell hill?!?  This, alone, is worth the entry fee!

At the finish, the Bull Shifters will be cooking up some grub so you can feed your tired bodies while reminiscing about your day’s events.  Sit back, relax, and have a burger or hot dog and Coke on us.  You’ve earned it by riding either 44 miles with 3100’, or 102 miles with over 6000’ of climbing!  Although ride participants can ride this event at whatever pace they want, remember, it is a ride, not a race!