Mountain Biker,
Natasha Ivanov
When Natasha Ivanov arrived in Tucson in the heat of June 2017, she wasn’t exactly sure what she’d find. At the time, she was 24, adrift in the early stages of a career back in suburban Chicago, and eager for something— anything—new.
“My sister moved to Tucson two years prior, so I decided it was a good place to start,” she said. “I had never lived anywhere else, and it was spicy when I arrived that summer!”
By Stacey Gregory
What she found in Tucson was more than just a fresh start. It was a city that offered not only sunshine and space but also community, freedom, and, ultimately, a sense of purpose.
“What keeps me here is the fantastic winters that allow you to be outside 12+ hours a day,” she said. “When jobs went mostly remote, it became easier to stay in Tucson as a home base to allow me to explore the state. The people I’ve met here have shaped not just my circle of friends, but the entire community I feel proud to be part of.”
Her career in marketing and advertising provided stability, but it was her personal passions that took root and bloomed in the Sonoran soil. Natasha found herself increasingly drawn to the outdoors, especially mountain biking. While she grew up riding a bike, it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic that she started trying out the trails.
While she admits they were brutal compared to the flat dirt she grew up with, her stubborn persistence kept her going, and she fell in love with the sport. Now an avid mountain biker and active member of the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) organization, Natasha advocates for trail access and preservation in the region.
“SDMB is largely responsible for many of our multi-use trails you’ll find in the Tucson Valley, and we advocate for long-term access to these trails for everyone to enjoy,” she said. “Some fan favorites, such as Sweetwater and Tucson Mountain Park, can be attributed to SDMB’s collaboration with Pima County.”
Her commitment to the desert landscape doesn’t stop there. Recently, she made a bold pivot—returning to school to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Science with a focus on water conservation.
“It’s a stark switch from my current career,” she said. “But if there’s anything living here has shown me, it’s my absolute love for our land and the need to protect and conserve our greatest natural resource.”
With nearly a decade of desert living under her belt, Natasha has become a go-to resource for visiting friends who want to see the best of Tucson and Southern Arizona, which she is sharing with us. For this environmental enthusiast, showing o Tucson means getting outside and exploring.
NATASHA’S TASTES OF TUCSON
For those in the mood for something trendy, she recommends Sunshine Wine Bar, noting that it boasts a great ambiance and vibe, along with delicious food and an excellent wine and cocktail selection. For formal dining, she enjoys Contigo Latin Kitchen and she says Seis breakfast burritos never disappoint. But eating is only part of the experience.
AROUND TUCSON WITH NATASHA
For this environmental enthusiast, showing off Tucson means getting outside and exploring.
“I always take visitors on a drive up the Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon,” she says. “Depending on the season, we’ll go to the top to see the aspen trees, or if it’s monsoon season, I show them the wonders of the green desert popping o around Molino Basin.”
When it comes to hiking in Tucson, she heads to beautiful spots like Romero Pools and Tanque Verde Falls—especially when the water is f l owing. She’s also quick to suggest escaping Tucson for day trips to reveal even more of Southern Arizona’s hidden gems.
“Take a drive out of town and go kayaking on Patagonia Lake. In Sonoita, there are so many great winemakers and it’s a stunning change of scenery. My favorite time of year there is monsoon,” she said.
And, of course, the activity that fi rst empowered her to fully connect with Tucson’s rugged terrain and vibrant trail community is biking. Her favorite riding trails in Tucson are Mountain Park and Aspen Draw on Mt. Lemmon. For a zippy ride, she heads for the chutes on 50 Year Trail.
“Biking makes me feel so free, yet somehow in total control,” she says. “I have a distinct memory of riding Bug Springs at sunset on Mt. Lemmon this spring and how the sun cast this butter-yellow golden hour glow on the whole valley. It was mesmerizing.”