The Leprechaun of Saguaro National Park

Chasing Dave Glasgow a.k.a The Leprechaun of Saguaro National Park.

Dave Glasgow has been a friend of mine for quite a long time, Gentle Readers of This Blog. Always an enigma to me, really the only way to describe this über-man is that he is charming, fearless, insightful, fierce, and fleet--he claims to be 105 years old. Ha ha we all laugh--but sometimes I wonder.

If you ever have ridden the 9 mile Scenic Drive in Saguaro National Park--or driven it--you will have no doubt encountered this endearing fellow--my friend Dave!

At the Visitors Center unloading the bikes.

Since I don't have a lot of time this week while I'm visiting, Dave and I drive out to the Park. We'll do three of four loops around the Scenic Drive, and Dave will meet up with friends passing through the Ramada, just inside the entrance of the Park. If you don't see him cruising up and down the fast rollers, past the saguaro--then you may meet him as he stops for water in the Ramada.

The Leprechaun is the totem name from his Furnace Creek 508 ride a few years ago.

Trying to keep up with The Road Warrior.

Saguaro Nat'l Park's East Side Loop is a good place to train. There's not much traffic, and the road is one-way. There's hills, fast rollers, and of course since this is one of God's Favorite spots on Earth--the scenery is fantastic! If you're driving, I would say take a chance to walk around on one of the foot paths or trails, Gentle Reader. This is an ancient, pristine place--and it often gently nudges you into self-reflection.

From the road, looking out over the Rincon Mtn Range, Southeast of Tucson.

Ocotillo Cactus are changing colors--their leaves turn a beautiful yellow and orange, but just for a short time in the Fall.

Every time I'm in the Park there's always something different, always some new sight revealed--as I said, this is a special place, and often when I've been out here, the temps have been murder! Into and way over 100! Today it is calm and cool--everything seems sleepy and dreamy.

The Regal Saguaro--they seem to be talking about things as they raise their arms to the Sun for warmth.

We're on the part of the loop that goes to the picnic area--fast rollers and fun!

Dave rockets ahead of me like a missile!

Here I go making chase!

Dave, and Mt. Lemmon in the background.

The fast two-way part of the Park Loop to the Picnic Area--once again, ahead of us are the Rincon Mts.

Dave Peashock, a good friend of ours--he had a flat and we've stopped to help out. But Dave is okay and about on his way--we'll meet him later at the Ramada. Dave Peashock is a fellow Randonneur, and he and I also crewed for our friend Gerry Goode when he did the 508 Furnace Creek as well.

The Ramada just inside the entrance of Saguaro Nat'l Park.

There's water here to refill your bottles--and this is a rest stop for riders going on to Pistol Hill, Colossal Cave, and other places around the boundary of the Park. Riders of all levels you can meet here and get information about their favorite rides around the city. We met some cyclists visiting from Quebec, and I was able to tell them about riding Saguaro National Park West, McCain Loop, and the Desert Museum.

Bon jour la bon jour!

Thanks for stopping by the blog, Gentle Reader.

Cheers! Bruce

Ridin' Rollin'

Dave Glasgow trains for Furnance Creek back in the day...


Just trying to balance life and riding. Big plans for a big ride--but every-so-often mortals must sleep in and stay home.

So I went out on the road--got hungry, and had breakfast at the cafe. Just an out and back. I don't even have picture to show you, Gentle Reader. But I found a few from an old disc I had laying around the office.


Dave on Indian 15


Dave Glasgow training for the Furnace Creek 508 is what was on here. I was going to crew that ultra race but for some reason I wasn't along. But we did go out on the John Farr Double course and I was sag support. If I remember right, Dave rode non-stop for 24 hours and I believe he rode about 340 miles, or almost the 200 course twice.


Sag car.



John rode part of the course with Dave, to help pass the time for almost 400 miles.


Often, the road can be long. It's good to have friends along.

New Year's Day Ride

Happy New Year, Everyone! I hope you got out to ride--if not--check out our NYD's Ride to Oracle, Arizona. By the way, one goal I had this year was to ride the old Raleigh Marathon for New Year's Day.


Susan took care of Callie while I was out of town.


We met up with John, Kathy, and Shock on Tangerine near Dog Mtn. John and Kathy are on the tandum

Shock is in the House!

Kathy and John.

Looking East to Mt. Lemmon. We're on Moore Rd.

RBA of Arizona Randonneurs

We've met up with Joan and Larry at Rancho Vistoso. Now we're getting ready to head North up Oracle to the town of Oracle, Arizona, Gentle Readers of This Blog.

Gerry Goode is a no-show this year. Should we go by his place up in Saddlebrook? And hand him a "Jackass Pass" ? Too cold for him and stayed in bed.


Catalina, Arizona at a stop light. We are climbing about 1500 feet and its getting a bit chilly.


Wind is picking up.


Larry and Joan on their tandum.


Snow on Mt. Lemmon.

Larry and Joan make things look easy, as always.

The last 10 miles up have been windy and cold!


Eagle Wing meets us at the entrance of Biosphere 2--just about three miles left until the restaurant.



When we pull out, I stay right on the wheel of John and Kathy's tandum--Shock right on my wheel, Susan, Eric, Joan and Larry--for the final assult on Oracle. Headwind is making us work hard. We all vote to take the short-cut and get out of the wind.


Yes!


Shock and Awe!

Happy New Year! And Happy Birthday to Kathy--like me, and John--she's 39 years young!


As soon as we sit at our table--Dave Glasgow appears! Dave is doing well and getting back on the bike. Today he drove up to meet us and wish everyone well. Rehab for the broken leg has made him stronger. His doctors say he will be 100% in about six months--just as strong as before being struck by the Taxi this summer.


Looks like Joan needs to drink that coffee! And wake up!


Susan and Dave.


New cycling winter jacket bought for me by mum back in Tulsa. I know I'll use it often during the brevets this year! And, mes amis, check out the bike--it was great to ride and I had a good vibe pedaling along. I did have a bit of a problem with the tension shifters which Larry quickly diagnosed and fixed with a screwdriver. He tightened them up with a few turns right before the climb up to Oracle--thank goodness!

The position on the bike is a bit different than I'm used to riding. My arse is a bit tender as it seemed I was more in an upright position than stretched out on my LeMond.


Taking pictures on a 69 cm frame was like sky cam. When in the group, I could see well over everone's head, and Susan and Shock enjoyed quite a fine draft as we laboured up Hwy 77, which is Oracle Rd, to the restaurant...

the ride home after lunch...

After staying at the restaurant way too long—we finally got back in the saddle for the ride back. This would great because we’d have the tailwind and the descent. Just as we took off down the road, Susan’s chain came off. I stopped to help her out, but she put it back on in a matter of moments. Still—stopping for just a moment—the rest of the group had soared ahead. That wouldn’t be a problem as we would re-group.

Sailing down the road at a good speed, I thought I heard Susan shout, “Bruce!” I stopped and turned around to see her off the bike again. I thought it might be the chain once more—but after a few minutes it was obviously some other problem. I crossed busy Hwy 77 and climbed back up the other way to her. By then I could see her changing a tube. But the tire had been split and she had to patch the tear. Then once we got the tube and tire going, it became clear that the new un-used tube was defective! We had to change the tire again.

By this time, with the wind and descent, the gang was five or six miles ahead. When we reached Rancho Vistoso, we had to make a stop to peel off a layer of clothing as it had gotten warm now. So a cell phone call informed John and the group that we’d see them some other time, which meant Susan and I wouldn’t have to play catch-up. It was race the sun back to Dog Mtn from here on out.

We took turns drafting back home and soon found ourselves flying to Dog Mtn and Tangerine traffic light—with a quick right, a right, and one more quick right—we were home at 5pm; 64 miles later!

Happy New Year to All! Bruce

Dave Glasgow hit by Taxi Cab

Gentle Readers of This Blog, I received a phone call from John last night just as I walked to my car to go home for the day. Dave Glasgow, a.k.a. “The Leprechaun” Le Super Randonneur, my coach and mentor, was hit by a Yellow Cab on Broadway Blvd last week. Word got to us days later after his surgeries, and then the call on the cell. “A cab hit him…” I wait to hear the damage done during that long pause. “His leg is broken pretty bad. I’m going to see him at Good Barbara’s house, where he’s recovering.” Says John. “I’ll meet you there…” says me.

All I can say is that I held in my rage as Dave described to us the indifferent cab driver who said, after running Dave over, “Watta am I supposed tah do?” And the flippant Tucson Police Officer, who tired to find out what law Dave broke to get himself hit.

At least they called an ambulance, those sonsabitches. Of course it was totally the cab driver’s fault. He was coming out of a business and going to turn left onto Broadway. He was looking at traffic coming from the other side and never looked to see if anyone was coming from the other lane—so he just drove right into Dave, shattering his leg and knocking him into the busy Broadway traffic.

Like a good coach and mentor would do, Dave talked me through my anger—but I feint calm. I’m still feeling the frustration and emotion from the ordeal—because we all know that nothing will be done about what happened. There won’t be any citation or fine given to the cab driver. Yellow Cab Co. will not bear any of the cost of the medical. And the cock-sucking Police will still have the condescending attitude about cyclists.

Dave looks in fair shape, but drugs are keeping the pain away. There is a titanium rod in his leg, lots of swelling, and scars from surgery. And there will be more surgeries and some time to be in rehabilitation. I don’t want to say but this was a bad one. I think Dave knows this as well. We will have to wait and see.

“We will all meet our yellow cab one day.” so says Dave...