This is an awesome 50+ mile ride through southern Phoenix. You start the ride with a little 10+/- mile ride through the foothills. You move north through The Pointe at South Mountain, then west to South Mountain Park Reserve. Once you arrive to the reserve, the climb is gradual for the first 2-3 miles than the fun really begins. The total climb is about 8-9 miles from Dobbins Rd and Central to the very top. The views of Phoenix and the East Valley are spectacular.
The YMCA is a great place to start.
There is a Circle K located at Dobbins and Central.