Fast Desert Training Ride

Racing out into the Western farmland of Marana, AZ.

A call came in from John and Cathy and they wanted me to meet them for a late afternoon "fast ride" out West of the city. I dropped everything for the moment and then was on the bike, flying down out of the Tortolitas where I live, to meet my friends out in cotton fields and ranch lands West of Marana and Tucson.

No wind, and flat roads--with no traffic--makes for some fast riding.

Out on these roads you can ride fast for long stretches. I kind of know my way around out here--I have heard riders refer to it as "The Big Square." Now I know what they mean.

John and Cathy on the tandem.

John and Cathy ride fast--and I was able to hold my own with them for most of the ride. You can ride a five or ten mile stretch with out a stop sign or any other obstacle to slow you down. You just pedal fast and furious!

The Seven Sisters.

These palm trees out in this field are familiar landmark. If you look further back, you can see the ears of the Great Owl Head.


We've been riding 18 to 20 MPH for most of the course.

The famous Arizona sunsets.

This is looking East toward the Tortolita Mtns. My house is located there on the right in Dog Mtn, and further back, of course is Mt. Lemmon, the Regal Queen of Tucson. We're maybe about 20 miles West of Dog Mt.

Time to get back before dark!

To be on the safe side, I clipped on a tail light and small head light--the fast ride with John and Cathy was a blast, but now I need to get me-self back home before dark, and before the thunder storm!

Heading Northeast on Sanders Rd back to old Marana.


East on Moore Rd that turns into Tangerine Rd. The big farms out here now only seem to grow housing developments.

Thanks to my friend Dan, from reading his blog regularly, I recognized a short-cut through Gladden Farms. This saved me having to ride all the way out to the Marana Exit off Interstate 10 and instead put me heading due West back to Dog Mtn. It probably saved me about six miles. I was also out of water by now--taking a short cut to save some time to get home before dark--I miss my chance to fill up the water bottle at the Circle K there at the Marana Exit.

Not cold but water all the same.

I also recall Dan talking about this park out here. And my hope would be I'd find water--which I did, thank goodness!

The roads are installed and the developments will follow in a few years, when the economy picks up. Nothing out here now, but this road is new and flawless--and I was able to ride very very fast! Just what I needed to do!

Hustle!


Just where I want to be!

In this photo, this is right where I needed to be. I'm West of I-10, and I'll go under the over-pass, and then make the six-mile climb to Dog Mtn--and I believe I'll make it before dark. You can see the faint headlights of cars on Tangerine Rd there above. The sun is setting quickly too, and I can smell the rain on the wind.

The lone traffic light at Tangerine and Dove Mtn Blvd!

Once you've see the lights up there, you know the climb is almost over! You can just see the green traffic lights on the rise of the road. I've been able to ride strong and fast up Tangerine--I'm feeling pretty fit this weekend.

I'm almost there--the sun is going down.

I made it! My reward--a golden sunset, and sweet-smelling gentle rain drops on my driveway as I pull in to finish the ride.

September Tucson Moonsoon

Heading West on the Rillito River Bike Path.


Humid this afternoon, like this morning for the ride in as well. Not much head wind but the temp cools as I ride into the rain clouds up ahead.

This is looking East, back the way I've ridden from the office. You can see the Eastern part of Pusch Ridge--then some of the more affluent homes built off River Rd. Then there's the bike route that I'm on, and to the far right is the Rillito River--mostly dry all year round. This morning I was riding in on River Rd, East, so I was about a mile or so up on River Rd, passing by those houses.

Looking West, the direction I'm riding for the afternoon commute back home.

If there's bad weather or I just don't want to ride in heavy traffic, I take this route on the bike path. Ina and Sunrise/Skyline follows the foothills of Pusch Ridge you see up there. I ride pretty much the length of the Ridge those days I take that route.

I got just a little bit of this rain, and it felt good and clean and cool.

In the back ground is River Rd, and I parked here at the River Park, where a lot of runners and walkers park and then do their thing--but I jump on River Road here sometimes and do some interval work--the bike lane is new, smooth, and makes for a pretty quick run to the San.

I needed to sleep a bit later, have a cup of coffee, and do a recovery ride from the 54 mile commute., mes amis. Today I did not want to get caught in heavy rain on the busy Ina Rd. As you know, its a fast and furious quick dash to my car--but in rain, Tucson drivers get a bit nervous--dangerous for bike commuters like myself. I'll take the low road and live to ride another day, Gentle Readers of This Blog!

Cheers! Bruce

Big 54 Mile Commute Day

Its been a long hot summer.

Labor Day I chose to come in and work part of the day which meant I can save my time-off for a longer holiday. The commute distance from my house to the Desert San by car is 23 miles, but by bike its just over 27. This is because I have to go the long way around to avoid poor roads and heavy traffic. With light or no traffic on the Labor Day Holiday, its pretty fun to do the long ride--the mornings are cool and beautiful out here in the desert, mes amis.

The desert is getting plowed down so I can save a few minutes driving my fat ass to retail outlets for shit I don't need and restaurants that are unhealthy and suck.

Its getting quite congested near Dog Mtn--all because of one golf tournament where Tiger Woods plays for about three days once a year. All the parasitic business that are trying to suck a few bucks off of golf fans--whom are supposedly an affluent lot of humans--have already gone belly-up. Mostly they are dorky over-priced restaurants and high-end bistros and boutiques. They suck their own snot and then die. But the price we all pay is the landscape and ecosystem laid waste.

Calle Concordia, heading East. This is the Western base of Pusch Ridge and I'll ride South East around it and in the foothills to the Desert San.

Club riders out enjoying the morning.

I rode with several groups and individual riders out today. I was on my way to work and most everyone else was on their way to breakfast. I would have liked to have joined them. It was nice to see more people on bikes than cars on the road. Everyone is gearing up for El Tour this year.


Fuck your attitude and your truck, Bitch.

Heading home in the early afternoon. Its hot and humid and the rain is coming my way.

There's a strong headwind as well as I make the first climb out of the San and into the traffic.

Midtown Tucson and the office are a few miles behind, as the Monsoon storm begins to cover the city, rolling in from Old Mexico.

Oro Valley--through the valley, and after a hot long climb, I'll be at the base of the Tortolita Mtns. I'll be heading West, or left, in the photo along Moore Rd and home.

I get a tailwind on Moore Rd for about three miles--Wind Gods on Mt. Lemmon must be smiling at me this afternoon!

Heading West into the Sunset. From here I have a few miles then back on Tangerine Rd where there's a bike lane. I'll have a three mile descent to Dog Mtn and then one mile climb to my modest shack in the desert.

I have to be honest with you, Gentle Reader of This Blog, that commuting 27 miles to work each way is just way too long of a commute. Its okay once in awhile, but were I do try and do this during the week a few more times, it would tire me out. Not that 50 or so miles is too many miles, its just that it makes for a very long day. I would have to get up and be in the saddle by 5:30 a.m. and then I wouldn't be getting home until 6:30 p.m. or later. I think I'll stick to my regular 16 mile commute both ways--it takes me just under and hour, and won't wear me out.

I also think I'll take my rest days maybe Thursday and Friday--lately I've found that I'm apt to sleep in on the weekend instead of putting in the long miles. I believe this has been on account of the summer 100 degrees-plus days I've been riding. As it gets cooler now that summer is winding down, we won't have to be getting up at 4:30 a.m. because we need to be back by 10 or 11 or else die in the heat.

Have a good week, mes amis!

Cheers! Bruce

River Ride to Work

Early monring clip heading East on the Rillito River Bike and Running Path.


A fellow dressed in yellow. Maybe rain today as well?

Bike Path, Swan Ave Bridge (many cross over to go to work at the Desert San) and the Rincon Mtns in Saguaro Nat'l Park.

An easy ride in this morning. I took the bike path instead of Ina Rd and the climb. Just wanted to take it easy and not have to leave so early. The Trek 2.3 is at the bike shop and Phil is putting in a new bottom bracket. The one that came from my LeMond was needing to be replaced.

I had a rare early morning cup of coffee with Little Egypt as she was awake.

Cheers! Bruce

Jimena and Her Friends

Lovely morning to commute by bike in Tucson.

There's nothing better than to roll down the road with light traffic, in 75 to 80 degree sweet morning desert air, mes amis. There's Hurricane Jimena off the coast of Baja, Mexico, and this has got the Tucson Monsoon engine building up once again.

Last day of August--the best morning ever!

When I'm on the road in the morning I tend to forget that the afternoon will be with heat, heavy car traffic, and stiff headwinds. Ah but I don't care--just enjoy the hour of peace and sun and sky--everything else, my troubles, can melt away.

Her she comes!

All during the day I was checking outside--it had reached 105 and it was very humid! But then, Gentle Readers of This Blog, wind and clouds appeared and by the time I was getting ready to saddle-up--the temp had dropped almost 20 degrees!


With no headwind out of the Northwest, I fly up the road!

Outside, that tailwind you dream about is flowing full steam. Jimena, I think I love you, Baby! The moment I clip in and start up the street--whoosh! I am cruising along fast. The clouds are dark and swirl and wave like the beautiful Mexican woman I see here at the San most days--it will pour any second now I'm sure.

Being carried by the winds of Jimena.

The clouds are moving fast to the Northwest and I'm riding the wind. It soon becomes clear that I'm riding up to the storm. I just need to take it easy and let Jimena's breeze carry me along--I can see the sheets of rain pouring down only blocks ahead of me--I'm moving at the same speed as the storm. Everything is soaked and not one drop touches me. I got lucky this time, mes amis. Jimena will be here and it will be raining most of the week. I don't know how many days I'll get to ride.

Cheers! Bruce

Best Days to Ride

August has been hot but September is on the way!

Just the best these mornings on the commute. I feel good and the weather is excellent--you couldn't ask for better riding here in Tucson.

There are a lot of lads and lasses out on bikes. Everyone is thinking about El Tour in November--as they should.

Too many times I've seen the dead and dying at about half-way through the 109 mile course. They were more than often young guys who had not trained, and thought they'd go out and rip up the road.

There's just this look in their eyes, "WTF am I doing out here?" They're miserable and in pain. I'm not saying I'm out there breaking any records, mes amis, its just that most people around here don't really train for over 100 miles, and its usually double what they ride on the weekends when they're out speeding around with their mates.

No matter how fit you are, you must train for 100 miles--or else you will be sorry. No expensive carbon road bike, or the latest most expensive saddle Tour de France riders used, etc etc etc, will make any difference if you have not spent the time on your bike.

Also, people that don't train, I've noticed, go balls-out the first 30 miles--then they get exhausted. 70 miles of pain is not fun, and the last 30 miles of El Tour on Silverbell just really suck--bad roads (getting a bit better) and its up-hill with a headwind.

Still, at the end of the day, Man it's so much fun! I've met and talked with people on the ride from all over the country--some trained in-doors for months so they could be ready. They're just happy to be in Tucson for the weekend instead of Boston or Detroit, or some other place where its gotten to cold to do any long rides because of snow and rain.

Let the fast guys go--what I like about El Tour is that eventually someone you know rides up, or you ride up to them, and you get to talk and catch up on things, and make plans to meet at the pub later!

Cheers! Bruce

Biking Saguaro National Park, East

Ryan on the Scenic Road, with the Rincon Mtns in the background.

Its been a few years since I've been out to Saguaro Nat'l Park on the East side of Tucson, mes amis--and this was a rare weekend op for Ryan to ride with me. I suggested we ride from his house about 10 miles, out to the Park, do a few laps on the Scenic 8 mile loop, and figure out what to do from there. Rain was forecast for about 11:00 am so we figured we'd see how it went and try to get home before the Monsoon storm.

Charles--as a younger man, was a NYC bike messenger--now getting his PhD at University of Arizona.

As Ryan and I were making our way through the deserted streets of Tucson early that morning, and as we neared the Park entrance--I spied Charles up ahead making his way to the Park's Ramada. He joined us for the first lap on the Scenic Drive. The Ramada is right inside the Park, and there's cold water and the visitor's center has restrooms. All the locals meet here to get water and take a break before they head up to Colossal Cave or Pistol Hill or ride in the Park. The Ramada is not on the Scenic Road, so you can use it without having to pay the $5.00 to bike into the park--that $5.00 is well worth it, Gentle Reader. Most locals have a seasonal pass.


The Rincon Mtns. The Eight Mile Scenic Road is just a small part of the entire Park.

Inside the Park, you are overwhelmed with the serenity of the desert--everything slips away and you are gliding into a dream. This is a special place--ancient and mystical, with a timeless sense of beauty.


The road is one-way and just recently re-paved. My photos don't do justice to the colors and the sweet desert air and the sunshine.

This is the closest thing to Bike Heaven that I can imagine.

Charles and I start the Mile Climb which is about the half way point on the Scenic Road.

Charles is a power-house--quick and fast, and he handles a bike like a pro. But like me, the hills are a challenge. Big guys don't climb fast, as you probably know, so we ease into a groove and enjoy the beauty of the Park. Working on a PhD is a lot of work so Charles has not ridden as much as he used to he says.

The Scenic Road in Saguaro National Park, East. There were no cars on the road for our first loop.

Ryan is in his element--he's fast on the rollers and can climb well.

We have to be a bit careful because there is a speed limit in the Park--the Rangers are tolerant, but you don't want to get a fine on Federal Land or in a National Park--very expensive so I hear.

This in on the second time we went around I believe--that is Mt. Lemmon in the background with Monsoon clouds starting to blow in from the Gulf of Mexico.

My friend Ryan--mountain biker now becoming an excellent roadie as well.

With my friend Charles just at the base of the Rincons--the City of Tuscon is off in the distance behind us.

We say good bye to Charles who is off to ride home--Ryan and I ride out of the Park and out to the Farmers' Market on Old Spanish Trail. There's a friendly local store and gas station there, and its a good stop to get a snack or cold water. The locals will go on out to Colossal Cave, which is quite a challenging long and gradual climb. The best part is the way back because its a fast and furious seven miles home with an awesome tailwind. We decide we'll do that next time when its not so hot--plus there's a lot of wind coming our way with the Monsoon beginning to move over the Rincons. We decide we'll do another loop in the Park and probably beat the rain storm.

See you on the Road, mes amis!

After the Park, we have to contend with the stirring Tucson Sunday Morning traffic on busy Broadway Ave. The bike lane is also the bus lane, so its wide and we can ride side-by-side. Still, the traffic is fast, and there's a lot of businesses that motorists are pulling in and out of--and most of the time they're not paying too much attention. You have to be on your toes and stay alert. As its a slight descent, the 10 miles back to Ryan's house is fast.

Cheers, Bruce