Tucson Cyclemania II Day 9

We woke up early and started packing the bikes while we were doing the laundry and cleaning the house. We were done with time to spare. After 7 days of riding, we had a total of 491 miles with over 21000 feet of elevation gain. Only one flat tire, one sidewall cut, one slow speed fall with no injuries, one missed corner at speed with nobody hitting the ground or a cactus. Phil helped us get the bikes to the airport and retrieve a forgotten helmet in the rental car. At the Tucson airport they did not let us watch as they were inspecting the bike cases. The flight was on time and fully packed. We arrived on time. We were again unpleasantly surprised to see that the TSA did not close the bike cases well and three of them came partially open. We will have to find out if there is anything missing or damaged when we get them from Herb.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 8

Our last ride for the trip was doing the official El Tour de Tucson course. The weather was nice - starting in the high 40s and quickly getting to the low 60s with abundant sunshine. The actual ride starts from downtown Tucson, but since it eventually goes through the area we were staying we started the ride from home. This helped with saving time and not going with the hassle of driving to the start point, but instead of finishing with the easiest portion of the course, we ended with the hardest. The ride goes literally all the way around Tucson. We did not have the privilege of having the roads closed for traffic and having course marshals at the big intersections. Some of the roads were in somewhat poor shape even for our Chicago standards. We also managed to skip one of the washes that are part of the course, but did the other. Riding a road bike through sand, a small creek and then more sand is not what I would personally recommend. Luckily on the other side we were able to spot a faucet with a hose and were able to rinse down the sand from the wheels and the drive-trains. It took us over 6 hours to do the 110 miles and the 4000 feet of elevation gain. We were all happy when we made it home. After a quick shower we went to Dave and Corina's house for dinner. They had a delicious meal and good company. Unfortunately we were all very tired and went home early.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 7

Today we started a little later than usual, so we can get few less layers in the morning. The weather cooled down significantly after the snow storm on Wednesday. We started in the low 40s and finished in the low 50s. We rode to Sabino Canyon going over some familiar roads from previous rides and adding a loop over a new territory  We made a snack stop at AJ's market again and went back home. Total distance 57 miles, total elevation gain 3100 feet. Getting ready for the big ride tomorrow. We are doing the El Tour de Tucson on the last day. 109 miles with 3200 feet of climbing. The weather is going to be a little warmer than today.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 6

After the big snow storm on Wednesday we were anxious to see how the weather is going to be on the next day. we woke up with still a lot of snow on the ground. We had dense fog in the early morning, but by mid-morning the sun was peaking out and the snow mostly melted. The big streets looked dry. Phil took us for a ride towards downtown Tucson. We started at 12:30 PM. For the first part of the ride the sun was shining, but in the early afternoon the clouds started covering the sky again. after a food stop at the Rincon Market, we all decided to head back home in order to avoid the rain that was coming in the early evening. We all made it safe and sound before the rain. Total distance 50 miles, total elevation gain 2100 feet. The plan for tomorrow is a ride to Sabino Canyon. So far with over a foot of fresh snow on Mt. Lemmon it looks like on Saturday we will ride the El Tour de Tucson instead.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 5

The forecast for snow was correct ;-(
It was snowing for the most of the day. Zero miles total and zero feet of elevation gain.

Snow in Tucson (again)

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 4

Today we did the ride to Gates Pass, but this time in reverse. We were a little worried about the winds, but Phil's plan worked perfect. We made it to the top of the Gates Pass just before the winds got stronger and had a nice tail wind for the most of the ride back. the temperature was in the 50s at the beginning of the ride and in the high 70s by the end. Couple of flat tires were the biggest excitement for the day. We ended the day with 65 miles total distance and over 3400 feet of elevation gain. Tomorrow looks like a rest day - rain and snow are hitting the area.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 3

On Monday we did the new, specially crafted for us ride called Rollie-Pollie. We started as a group of 12 riders. The kicker was that they got us to climb every hill and little mountain along the way, including the "Hell Hill" - the local version of our Walker hill, but 4 times longer. The weather was nice, slightly more overcast than the day before, but still the temperature was in the high 70s by the end of the ride. On one of the fast descends few of us found out that they needed more road to make a turn, but everybody managed to stay up on and off the road. Close to the end of the ride there was a chain breakdown which led to three riders taking the short ride home. For the remaining nine there were few more hills left to negotiate. At the end of the ride we had 63 miles total and 4400 feet of elevation gain. Since the weather for Wednesday is not looking good (rain and snow), the nice hosts are planning to extend the length of the scheduled ride to Gates Pass despite of the 30+ mph winds today. I guess what does not kill you may make you stronger. Time will tell.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 2

We did the Greater Arizona Bicycle Association (GABA) Picacho Peak Century. We started at 7am while the sun was still behind Mt. Lemmon and the temperature was in the low 40s. Since we anticipated that by the end of the ride it would be in the high 70s, we did not dress too warm. The first hour of the ride was mostly downhill with tail wind, which did not help us get any warmer. When the sun came up, things quickly changed and by 10 am we were down to shorts and short sleeved jerseys. There were no big hills or mountains to climb, but overall we gained around 3000 feet. The last 3rd of the ride was against a strong wind and our legs were feeling it. We ended the ride at Chris' house for cold drinks and pretzels. Total distance for the day 102 miles, total elevation gain 3100 feet. average speed 18.5mph. Not too bad for the first century of the year.
We heard the news that they are changing the riding schedule because of the expected rain and snow on Wednesday. Tomorrow we are doing the Rollie-Pollie ride - 60 miles with 5000 feet of climbing. I guess they consider it a recovery ride.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 1

First day of riding. We woke up to another lovely day. During the night the temperature went down to the low 40s, but as soon as the sun came up above the Catalina Mountains it became nice again. After a small breakfast we did an hour loop around the Oro Valley with a short visit to the Catalina State Park. By the end of the ride the temperature was in the upper 60s. Phil had planned for us to join the Vistoso Cycling Club's Valentine lunch at the Greek restaurant "It's All Greek to Me". The food was good, the company was better and to top it off there was a belly dancer. Short rest at the house and we went for the official ride for the day to Dove Mountain. The temperatures were already in the high 70s. We were able to make short video of the ride down the mountain with Cliff's Go Pro camera. Back to the house for rest and dinner. Tomorrow we are riding the Picacho Century. Total miles for the day 48, total elevation gain ~2000 feet.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 0

We left Chicago early Friday morning and arrived in Tucson without incidents in the early afternoon. We went from light snow and sub-freezing temperatures to blues skies and sunny mid-seventy degree weather. Phil met us at the airport and took our bikes in his car and we stopped briefly at the house we were staying to drop them off. Next stop was Phil's house where he had prepared a lovely early dinner with his wife and small group of the Vistoso Cycling Club. Then we went to shop for groceries and drove back to the house. Everybody was anxious to get his bike ready. All the bikes were safe and sound and were quickly put together. We all went to bed early.