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.