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.

Century Ride This Weekend

It was a beautiful Spring weekend here in Tucson. Our plan was to ride, as much as we could, the John Farr Double Century Course. To do this, we had to start early--I mean real early, Gentle Readers--5 a.m. start time. This means I have to get myself up at 4 a.m. to rendezvous with Susan, John and Kathy. Above we are entering the boundries of Saguaro Nat'l Park. None of my photos of the bright full moon turned out this crisp morning. The full moon was lovely, and wildflowers were dreaming of another warm day--just hanging around being beautiful in the Nat'l Park--that's the life.


Susan sets a good pace for us this morning. We started at the traditional start of the John Farr Course, which is the McD's parking and ride lot at I-10 and Cortaro Rd intersection.


Our first stop at the Chevron on Sandario Rd. The Tandem is a fast machine and it seems that we're riding quick-time. It takes a good deal of effort for me to keep up, as I try to stay on the wheel of the tamdem for the first 15 miles or so.


Susan, the consummate Randonneuse.


There's still a bit of a chill this morning. I needed to stop for a rest. We are riding fast, and there is a slight incline for several miles going North on Sandario Rd. Border Patrol asks us if we've seen a group of illegals that are somewhere in the area--we haven't.



Dang! That was a fast 35 miles. We stop at the store in Robel's Junction, or the Three Points Store as all of us Randonneurs know it. On the brevets, its the last stop for supplies before a long trek back to the Marana controle, and points thereafter back to Casa Grande. We're starving, and have a quick breakfast of coffee and sausage biscuts. Border Patrol Officers whisk in and out for a quick cup of joe, locals buy beer and cigarettes, and cowboys gas-up their outfits and buy sandwiches.


You gonna eat all that?


Junk food and cycling sometimes really go together.


On the way to Sells, Arizona--US Border random check-point. We are close to the border with Mexico. The Border Agents and Officers are friendly and wave, and they seem like good fellows. Many times their job is more search and resuce. This area, in particular the reservation, is remote and dangerous. Many border crossers have lost their lives and they are lucky to be found by Border Agents. The desert's heat is unforgiving.


"We'll be seeing ya!"


As mentioned, you can perish quickly in the desert should you not be prepared. We have extra everything, mostly water. If you keep moving of course, you stay cool--but if you have a flat or some other problem--and have to stop, you quickly begin to burn in the heat. We need to stop and shed out morning jackets and leg warmers. We're already soaked with sweat.


Kitt Peak Observatory. I can see the telescopes from my kitchen window back in Dog Mtn. I have a good deal of respect for this peak and this part of the reservation. It is a mysterious and spiritual land. The mountain wispers to you, and the plants, wildflowers, and creatures buzzing and crawling and flying--sing songs of reverence.


We press forward. John and Kathy have had a better time with the headwind that has begun to blow down on us. The climb and the wind, and the speed we are trying to keep to is tiring for me, Gentle Reader.


After we get past the road that takes you up to Kitt Peak, there's a descent for about 20 miles or so down to Sells, Arizona. That will be a nice break from the headwind and the climb.


Susan and I climb and ride in the face of the wind, which has grown stronger as we pass wild flowers and saguaro. I observe that althought the wind is bearing down on us, the trees and wildflowers seem to bask motionless. It is as the wind only affects the riders--the spirits gently telling us we should not venture much futher today.


John and Kathy are waiting for us at the top near the pull-out by the cattle guard on the road which leads to Kitt Peak. John says that maybe its time to turn around. We are exactly at 50 miles, and its already 10:30 a.m. We've been gradually slowing down. If we continue on and try to do the double century, we probably won't get back until 2 a.m. in the morning. After a bit of a pause, Susan speaks up, "Okay let's go--" and with that we turn around.



We head back to the Three Points Store again. It seems that the way back was fast, but I couldn't keep up with John and Kathy. We regrouped and filled up with water at the store.


The breeze seemed to always be against us, even as we rode on Sandario Rd North, which is always faster. Here we are at Sandario Rd. and Mile Wide Rd. I needed to take a rest--we've been riding fast and at a high cadnence. Again, I'm trying to keep up and really I'm pushing my limits--it is good training however.


Surprisingly, the traffic on Sandario Rd, the road I like to call "Redneck Road" is light today.


103 miles today.


I'm glad I had good friends to ride with today. We rode fast, and everyone was a good sport when I asked to take a rest stop or slow down a bit--just should have put on some sunscreen.

Bonne Courage!

John and Cathy will do a 200 mile training ride for the Cochise Classic via the John Farr Double Century Course. Eric and I will be in one support vehicle and Joan and Larry in the other. Its kind of a training situation for the crew too. Joan and Eric, and Kathy at the start from John's house.


Larry and John. 6 a.m. start!


I haven't ridden in about six weeks, so I'm a little nervous. The mono left me weak for a long time--but I feel good and everyone's encouraging me to ride. John and Kathy start out fast--here just entering SaguaroNat'l Park West, I get dropped.


Even though they drop me, I'm keeping my speed at 15 mph or above, which is pretty good. We're riding North on Sandario Road. It's slightly up-hill and there's a bit of a head wind. At times my legs feel a bit weak still.


As I near Ajo Hwy, for our planned stop--about 25 to 30 miles into the ride, the road gets muddy and a bit wet. So much for 15 mph. But it's a beautiful morning for a ride in the desert!


Mud! Cool!


At Sandario Rd and Ajo Hwy.


Making sure they go the right way...


The next stop will be Sells, Arizona.


Kathy riding strong...


John on his way West to Sells.


The crew staying on top of things.


I'm taking a rest and will ride in Eric's jeep.


A shrine out in the middle of nowhere on the Rez.


This rather large spider was "hangin' out" as in mid-air. He dropped by to see what I was doing, and maybe have me for breakfast. Hey. Wait a second?


Mud on my ride...


I would never ride this road by myself out on the Rez. In a group, I would, and on a Sunday on a three day weekend. Otherwise, its just too dangerous in my view--beer bottles and empty booze bottles litter the side of the road if you get my drift.






Kitt Peak on a sunny Sunday morning!


I've seen mustangs out on the Rez before, but usually they're high-tailing it outta site. They don't like to be seen and bolt--because they don't see or hear bikes and then suddenly you surprise them! I was pretty surprised myself to see this guy. His two mares and a young colt I just caught a glimps of as they ran off. I believe he was a mustang as I couldn't see any brand on him. Most horses you see out here have a large brand to identify them from afar--to keep others from stealing them outright. I felt pretty lucky to be this close and get a photo.


Sacred peak--this is a mysterious and sacred land and many spirits reside in the area. You must be alert and stay focused. Often a dream-like state can begin to overcome you. Again--you must stay focused and be mindful. Not too scary really, just keep going.


Speaking of Horse Power! The Wing enjoying some down-hill and the tailwind.


Kathy sets the pace...


Larry keeps up all the way into Sells, Arizona.


Sells--we stop for lunch.

At the lunch stop, Gentle Reader, I got back on the bike and road with Kathy, John, and Larry to Quiatowa, at which point we we would head out on Indian 15, the Hwy that would take us toward Casa Grande and Eloy.

I rode with Larry the 20 miles into Quiatowa, and we rode very fast and put some distance between Kathy and John. At one point we rode at 26 mph for what seemed five or six miles. The heat was affecting Kathy and she was having to stop and try to cool down. By about 11 a.m. the temps were reaching well over 100 degrees.

Out on Indian 15, after a short stop for water, I was with Kathy and John. Larry was getting over-heated and wanted to rest. I tried to keep up with K and J but the heat started to wear me down as well. Eric stopped me and asked if I was doing okay. K and J dropped me--I really wanted to try and make it Eloy--but I was cooking; It was like the sun was burning a hole through my shoulders and into my lungs. "Dude, its like 106--" said Eric. Yeah--it was time to git in the truck as they say.


At 106 your body starts to shut down and you can't keep cool. After about 10 more miles, we all decided we'd had enough today.

The John Farr course is 200 miles and J and K rode 125 miles. I rode a respectable 58--and I was pretty happy with that--for not having ridden in over a month.


Water!

John suggested we all go to this really good restaurant he knows. That cheered us all up! John also said he'd pick up the tab! Let's go!


My car was so hot you couldn't even touch it without getting burned! Who knows how hot it got inside--had to let it cool down before I could even load my gear.


Roma Caffe--just in time for an early dinner! We shared a bottle of wine and the conversation was not about bikes or our day on the course--just about stuff in general--there were funny stories and jokes, good food and wine.

I was happy, really happy mes amis! It had been a long summer to get through with the mononucleosis kicking my ass.

Glad it is behind me! Bonne Courage! Allure Libre!