Tucson trip April 6-14, 2004
Tuesday April 6:
Arrived in Tucson via Dallas. Bike was missing, most likely in Tulsa. Got in late to heading to Dwayne and Hazel's for bed.
Wednesday April 7:
Bike doesn't arrive in Tucson until late afternoon. Spend day with Dwayne driving around town. Craig Good and Chris Hooper arrive mid-afternoon from Phoenix. We checkin at hotel, they decide to go for a ride. I return to Dwaynes, have a few beers with him and Greg Chyz.
Thursday April 8:
143.3km 5:58:30 26.1km/h AVS. Hot hot hot - 32C
Picture Rocks - Saguaro Nat'l Park (West) - Tucson Mountain Park - Old Tucson - Kinney Rd - Valencia Rd - Houghton Rd - River Rd.
Craig, Chris and I went for this ride. Cory Fagan arriving today, Marcus Lemaster arrives late day. Valencia Rd cuts through south part of town, will avoid next time by following route around the city flanking on the south side (name eludes me right now).
Friday April 9:
101.5km 3:49:42 26.5km/h AVS Hot hot hot - 32C
Oracle Rd N to Biosphere 2 and return.
This was the first ride together of the entire group. Oracle Rd very busy. Biosphere 2 is very cool, didn't go in though. Entry rates into most tourist spots around here (including Old Tucson yesterday) averaging around $15 USD. Too rich for my blood.
Saturday April 10:
111.1 km 4:05:22 27.1kph AVS Hot @ start, ended scattered showers cooled nicely, remained overcast.
River Rd - Tanque Verde - Houghton Rd - Saguaro Nat'l Park (East) loop - return via Sunrise Dr.
Nice ride. Saguaro was very cool and requires more study at some other time. Entry was pretty cheap, $3 or something like that. Check out pics.
Sunday April 11 EASTER!:
119.6km 4:40:21 25.5kph AVS Hot @ start, scattered showers and snow in mountains, cold descent but warmed up again around 4000ft, hot (32C) upon return to Tucson
MT. LEMMON ASCENT. Great climbing, felt a bit bonked by the top but the descent made it worthwhile. Still tons of tourists around.
We all went to Dwayne and Hazel's place for Easter dinner. What a treat! Greg and his wife and friends of the Chyzes were all there as well. Good times, even watched a hockey game.
Monday April 12:
67.3km 2:32:30 26.4kph AVS Hot 31C
Ina Rd W. to Picture Rocks - Kinney Rd. - Gates Pass Rd - Silverbell Rd to return
Short recovery ride. Nice intense climb @ Gates Pass. Pretty busy roadways, not too bad though. Cory dropped out early before the climb and headed back to the motel. This is the day we went to the Casa Grande outlet mall and did some souvenir shopping....
Tuesday April 13:
200.9km 7:26:34 26.9kph AVS HOT 36C
Ina Rd - Sandario Rd - Ajo Hwy - Kitt Peak - return
Our last day, the hottest day, the longest ride. It was awesome! Had a great sense of accomplishment completing the climb to Kitt Peak. ~6000ft climb in 13 miles. Lots of kudos from passersby on the road up and down as well. Even a few people slowing down beside us asking us if we needed water! Others loved Craig's Italian national champ jersey. Viva Italia! The US Immigration Dept has a LOT of people manning the watchtowers and surveilling via trucks along Ajo Hwy. Apparently b/c the Indian Reserve is just south of here, it is a favorite place for Mexicans to jump the border.
Overall, fantastic trip. Would love to do it again next year, if we weren't already planning a trip to Eastern Canada in the summer and the World Masters Games in Edmonton...
