Easy Day, Work Day

With the mixed weather forecast, Todd and I decided to take it easy today. While I was on my way out I got a call from the Computer Guy. I was able to get in two hours before I had to get home and to the appointment. All I have to say is that it sucks to try to fix a computer that should probably just be replaced. I don't like taking money from people who don't really have it in the first place. However, it is my job, and I do need the money. Some of the new wireless hardware came today so I'm going to spend some time configuring that.

102 Minutes

Just finished reading 102 Minutes. It's a collection of accounts of victims of of the 9/11 attacks. Some people whose stories are featured in the book survived, some didn't. It's an engaging account, mixing personal accounts with historical anecdotes of the construction of the World Trade Complex. A good, thorough book, that moves with the pace of the 102 minutes between when the first tower was hit and when the remaining tower fell.

"There's no sunshine when she's gone"...

Well not quite, but seriously, there was no sunshine today. Spotty rain and a flat shortened our Kitt Peak attempt. Micro doesn't take tubes with him when he rides, and when he flatted today, decided to ride the five miles back home instead of accept a tube from Todd or I. We were already wet from the rains, so Todd and I went with him.

The place he's staying is nice, if not a mess. It seems like everything is truly half done. We came back over Gates, and I rode up 'A' Mountain. After a protein filled lunch, I lay on the couch catching up on my NPR podcasts. A nap was welcome. Maybe I'll finish my book this evening?

Erin left

Erin left today, which was sad. But before she left we had a delicious breakfast at Franks. It's a breakfast/lunch place in the morning, but in the evening it becomes Franciso's. Excellent food. The drive to and from Phoenix was uneventful and my ride was good too. Kitt Peak tomorrow. Back to the grind.

Vacation day in the desert

Today was a full-on vacation for Erin and I. First stop was Saguaro East. Lots of cacti. Lots of variety in the cacti: species, alive/dead, tall/short, etc. One thing you notice is that no two cacti are alike. I think my favorite are the droopy ones, that kind of resemble spiny weeping willows. They drop some of their little droopy things in order to create a new cactus. The one pictured here is just a baby compared to some that we saw. Speaking of baby cactus, I did find some baby plants though I'm not sure what variety they are.

For lunch we ate at Eclectic Cafe. Another great recommendation (Leo's Special is a great Burro).

After lunch we drove up Lemmon. Initially I just wanted to show Erin some of the climb, but we once we were on the mountain, we just kept ascending until we got to the ski resort at the top. My picture can't adequately capture landscapes, but I took the pictures anyway. The sunset from the mountain was absolutely amazing.

A formal dinner was swapped for a DQ dinner. Couldn't top the day if I tried. More pictures on Flickr.

Jam-Packed Saturday

As not to betray my purpose for being in Tucson, I did the Shootout this morning. I wasn't quite sure why I did, but I'm glad I did. I rode with Ralph, the owner of Fairwheel Bicycle. We talked about how he started his shop, the mining industry around Tucson, and his recommendations for hiking trails in Saguaro East. At the shop on Nogalas I turned left and sped home (ahead of the short-route people).

After a shower and small meal, Erin and I decided to go to Tombstone & Bisbee. It was a nice trip, but Tombstone is way too touristy. Bisbee was much nicer. It's nestled on the hillside, which gives it a New England-y feel. We went far south enough to see into Mexico. It was the closest to Mexico that Erin's ever been.

On the way home we stopped for dinner at Guadalajara Grill, a locally owned Mexican restaurant. The wait was super long, but well worth it. There were great Margaritas and a live, 3-man Mariachi band that traveled between the tables. The food was excellent too. When Erin and I got home at 10:30 Todd had already gone to sleep, so we decided to go to Gate's Pass to watch the stars. We could see so much more than we could in the city. Long but great day.

Erin Arrives!!!

I drove to Phoenix today to pick Erin up from the airport. Instead of driving straight back to Tucson, we decided to visit Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home, studio, and school. The site wasn't in pristine condition, but the tour was good and the experience was great. We stopped at a local bread company on the way out of town for a late lunch and then hit the road for Tucson. We got home kinda late and spent the rest of the evening relaxing while watching The Illusionist.

Up in the Clouds

There are few places on earth were you can hate and love it at the same time. Today, Tucson experienced steady 30mph winds from the ENE. I geared up for a ride to Lemmon (it being the only ride to the NE). I knew I was in for some headwinds on the way there, but I had no idea what I was going to get on the mountain.

It turned out that I faced winds so strong that they nearly blew me over, literally. I climbed to mile 14, Windy Point Vista, descended two miles, and climbed back up. On the way back down there where a few points where I was reduced to 16mph or pushed to 51mph. At times it was miserable and at times it was great. The ride home was nice: 33mph at only 180 watts. Hate it and love it at the same time.

Crazy Recovery

Zach and I began today's ride thinking that Picture Rocks and Gate's might be in the plan. Nope. We followed the bike path for a while, then followed what was left of it after the storm. Let me clarify: there was a little bit of climbing storm grates, a little bit of sand riding, and some fence hopping to get back to a ridable road. It was quite the adventure. As a capstone, we saw a person who had just been hit by a car on the way home.

After making it home, I shed some clothing in celebration of it being so warm and headed out toward the airplane graveyard. Just search google for it, and you'll find lots of stuff from Tucson. I took some photos and headed home with the wind at my back. I was able to motorpace three times on the way home.

Time for the "epic" ride

Today was Zach's last full day in Tucson. With the warming weather and the strong sun, we decided to make the most of it. We chose to ride the shootout route with some extra miles tacked on at various points. After climbing up Mission Rd., we took our first detour: Octillio Ranch Rd. It's a nice off-shoot, through a collection of homes. Much of the conversation pertained to good building practices and where we'd build our water reservoirs if we lived there. Insulate those basement walls people! The view from the top of Mission was down into the valley, where fog still hung in the air. Next detour was up Maggee Ranch Rd. It climbs roughly 1300' from Mission right up to the mountain range on the west side of the valley. At the top there was a bunch of open cattle range. We passed a sign that read, "No Mad Cows Here, Only Happy Cows". Unfortunately, the picture didn't come out, but I'll be back with my camera to snap a better picture sometime. We then proceeded to Madera Canyon. It was a rough climb capped by snow. The road was barricaded about a mile from the top. Zach and I rode through the barricades but didn't make it to far before the road was truly impassable. After a chilling ride down, a brisk pace to the gas station, and some refueling, we climbed back up Helmet Peak to Mission Rd. Zach let me pull most of the way, and I was able to develop a good rhythm. After that it was all downhill to home. Total Ride Time: 7:16; Distance: 120mi; Cal: 4500. A good ride, but man, were we sore.