Hey gang! Sorry, had internet issues so late with this report. My day began, starting a small fire than soon a raging fire so I could drag more brush onto it and begone!!! Awful, briers and thorny bushes. I've managed to tug and yank on them without slashing my face so that's good. And then...on to the Thursday Cycling Club group ride. Beautiful evening as 65+ show up for a 32 mile ride to the east...well, always to the east cause to the west is Columbus. I've been pretty good about remembering names although I did refer to "Jonathon" as "Carlos" but that's been my only mistake...so far. We line up to hear.... ...Don give the pre ride instructions. Don does a good job, not quite as good as when I assumed the role but almost, lol. Don said some nonsense about everybody taking 1-2 pulls to which I replied, "Not all of us our that ambitious." Ha, ha and so I wasn't, securing my spot, drafting. The Rivet group was called to exit. Oh, I remember the days when I too....ok, not ever but I was the person responsible for coming up with the group name of "Rivet". There was a time when several would show up and just destroy the "A" group so I formed a new, faster group and it has lasted. They'll average around 24mph for most of the routes. After the Rivet and A groups departed, I slotted in with the first B group. All went well until about mile 18 when during a descent into Alexandria, I drifted back and then could not catch back on. The group paused at the lone Alexandria light but I didn't quite make it and than got in with Steve and some other guy and we waited at the top of Jersey Mill Road for the 2nd B group. Now that was fun as we breezed out 161 and entering New Albany, my average was 19.6 so that was satisfying. Need to add a bunch more miles each week, if only the weather would cooperate, coupled with being a weather weenie. OK, I'll be far more prompt with the reports, promise.
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Granville has a new wine bar! I & 2 children enjoyed a glass of wine as I contemplated my first group ride in OH, in 5 years. You would think, a guy coming from southern AZ would be fit as a fiddle but alas no. For a variety of reasons, I struggled to reach 100 miles each week, usually well short. With absolutely no prodding from me, the ride organizer, Don N, allowed his emotions to get the best of him as he greeted me. Truthfully, it was as if I never left and I throughly enjoyed reconnecting with the gang. There were 43 of us for tonights journey through rural Ohio. Rather than have 3-4 groups, the Tuesday ride has a main "Conversational B" pace group and a C group. This evening, I'd have no conversation during the ride and as one guy tried to talk to me, all I could say was, "I'm too busy being exhausted"! My expectation for my performance wouldn't even register on a highly sensitive Richter scale. But, we headed out "Old 161" and I managed to hang in until we crested the high point, then descended into Alexandria. Hey, much better than I anticipated but then a left turn and the climb on Mounts but heck, I hung in there too. Than a right on Lobbdel and that screaming down hill, on to..... ....the kinda long Battee Road climb where.....I spit the bit. Steve Nelson hung with me so that was nice, even giving encouragement like, "You can't do this!" Nice. The group eventually regrouped at Loudon, just north of Granville. Looking back.... ....I wasn't last but.... ....also, there weren't a whole lot of cyclists still arriving. I dreaded what was to come, ugh, Stone Quarry Road. I didn't even try to keep up, despatched out the back before the climbs began. There I was, utterly alone in the wilderness between New Albany and Granville where it is rumored.... ...packs of wolves roam, looking for wounded antelopes like me but wait!!! What's that ahead???? Good guy Steve Nelson waiting to nurse me along...what a guy! With the hills behind us and some encouragement from others, I stayed with the group, finishing with 36 miles and an 18.6mph average. I was actually kind of encouraged. True, I had to turn myself inside out to stay with the group but given my sad state of fitness, there is no place to go but up, well, hopefully. I visited Easton Towne Center. Wow! Very impressed with the selection of restaurants and retail, including this train feature. With that, obviously the Tuesday ride is over and now, the famous Thursday ride on the horizon.
The visits to my silly blog have ticked up and I suspect that a is because the Tuesday group ride has come and gone and a few people are anxious to read about it. Meantime, it was new shoe day at the Denison Bio Reserve. It was great to run on soft dirt trails and leap, awkwardly like a wounded antelope, over streams and logs. Also nice not to worry about a rattlesnake, poised to strike behind the logs. A long dear tree, soon to fall over. The trees are massive. Some of the most mature examples of oaks, maples and.... beech. Got in 4.5 miles on this Sunday before.... ....watching a soccer game, so crowded I had to sit in the second row, lol. Then.... ....to Anthony's to play with him in the backyard. Then out to dinner with family. It's early being a snow bird but so far, all is going exactly as hoped and planned. And now, on to the group ride report.
That for which I returned to Ohio was a big part of my first day in Ohio. Anthony is thrilled I am staying longer than a week. He dearly wants to be a goalie but being 8 in an "Under 11" league means he's too small. But, he is undeterred and so I was required to kick ball after ball so he could practice. And than the woods. I will finally bring order to the 3 acres and cleared brush and briers for several hours. And the projects to relieve the work load of my son-in-law and son. On the second day, I began splitting these pieces of cherry. Alas, those in the front row are ginormous and I'll have to use the wood splitter. A follower of thee blog asked if I would start posting ride opportunities here as I once did and of course! The infamous ride reports as well!!!
The Catalinas received a bunch of snow after precipitation marred my final 2 days in Tucson. I enter NM and approach the Organ Mountains. Actually hiked there once. A rest stop had this unusual statue. I pass White Sands. I was following the system that came through AZ and the scenery was amazing. More snow capped peaks in NM. So far, I had threaded the needle and avoided the rain, which was good considering I had 2 bikes on the back of my SUV. Now this is annoying! Trucks occupying all three lanes. Day 3 and going through St. Louis with the Arch. I broke the drive into 4 days and so.... ....I enter Ohio! Good to be back. It did seem a little unfair that after enduring one of the most inclement winters in southern AZ, my first 7 days here would have vast quantities of moisture fall from the heavens. Oh well.
When I announced to friends I was about to become a grandfather, they said, "Ohhh, you won't want to return to AZ." I did and was glad to but then.....during a visit last spring, I had a great time with grandson Anthony but upon returning to AZ, the separation ate at me. A visit last fall, in which the other two grandsons, Chris & Ben had also transitioned from babies into boys, really impacted me after I returned to AZ. Having great memories of my grandfather coupled with the certainty that if I continued to live my life as I was, in 10 years, I'd be filled with deep regret. Something had to change. I had to become part of their lives. Having a super active guy like me as a grandfather would be great for them. But also, the outdoor active part of me, which is a huge part of me, was not being fulfilled. It's no ones fault but my own. I'd ride some mornings and then other than grocery runs, pulling weeds, routine maintenance....really blah. So..... ....we received two days of rain, a real bummer for my final two days in AZ. Than, 4 days in my SUV.... ....as I..... ....drove from AZ to Ohio, fulfilling my dream of becoming a snow bird. I'd always envied people who enjoyed the best of two climates and now, so too will I. I am over the moon with excitement about working in the 3 acres of woods, reintegrating into the very vibrant, central OH cycling scene, enjoying the grandsons, helping my son and son-in-law with their projects (as you read this, I've already begun splitting a huge pile of wood), spending time with my 3 children and yeah, probably by September, I'll be just as anxious to return to southern AZ.
I took a short ride around the east side, pausing here to see snow covered Mount Lemmon peeking through the notch between Thimble Peak and Blackett's Ridge. I got in a 40 mile route, again pausing for Mount Wrightson. Beautiful, warm morning before.... ....gathering the family and driving up Mount Lemmon to Ski Valley. Got to love having the ability to ride in the 70's and an hour later, in the snow. We stopped at the Iron Door restaurant for a glass of wine, chili and cornbread. We stopped at a few overlooks, including one providing views of another peak, this time Mount Graham. At Seven Cataracts vista, a couple took our pic. I got in another ride, my 3rd day in a row. This time with the Cactus Club where we contemplated crossing this wash. It looked rather easy but the sand caught most, who than had to dip a foot into the cold water. Stephanie and Anthony departed on Friday so Anthony could make a Saturday soccer game, the first of the season. Then, Olivia and I had dinner at Westin LaPaloma, sitting on the patio, watching the sun set on the mountains. Great Visit.
We drove about an hour to the southeast to visit Tombstone. A cold (52 degrees) and very windy visit. We walked the streets and frequently dove into shops to warm up. My daughters and grandson wanted to watch the "Gunfight at the OK Corral" so while they did that.... ...I visited "Big Nose Katy Saloon" and had lunch. A couple from WI sat next to me and stated their winter has been the mildest in 140 years. Rain arrived and created great views.... ....all around. We had a fun time playing putt-putt golf where.... ...Anthony did all he could to distract me.
My "BH" brand bike is still going strong, even if the rider is something less than that. I'd like to get a new bike but the bike shop tells me it's in great shape. I got in a 40 mile ride in Oro Valley and as always, am mesmerized by the western side of the Catalinas. This is different. A pack of 4 coyotes feasting on a dead (of course) javelina. The javelina was pretty large so I think it was hit by a car and the coyotes took advantage of it. The wash at Wentworth Road, not yet able to ride or walk across. Maybe in a day or two but, look at that forecast!! Going to be awhile I guess. Two daughters and grandson Anthony arrive for a week. We spent some time at a local soccer field so Anthony could demonstrate his skills. He's 8 and will play in an under 11 league. He's quite good and very fast. That evening.... ....we went to the Barnyard restaurant which has a broad outdoor area where children burn off steam as their parents sit at tables, eating and drinking. And next day, rain arrived. Check out how lush things look. By June, all this grass and other plants will be tinder for a fire. Hope that doesn't happen although I'm super happy I won't be here to witness. More on my plans coming very soon.
Jack typically stands on the shore to watch the ducks during our morning walk but for some reason, he waded in today. I have a bag full of golf clubs. One of the drivers I designed and developed on the left, my first driver mid right, my grandfather's driver, etc... Would be hard to party with any of these sentimental favorites. And yet another system sweeps out of southern CA, bringing wind, cool temps and rain. Every week, it's rinse and repeat with these systems. Was talking to a guy from WI and he said they are having their mildest winter in 140 years! I got in a short hike and waited a day and finally..... ....the skies cleared and warmth prevailed. I've ridden exactly 3 times since the start of January where I required nothing more than shorts and a jersey. Got to be a record low. We climbed to the parking lot at Colossal Cave during our 40 mile ride. I was with the group as we approached "Rocking K Market". I enjoy sitting on the patio so left the group and sat for a few minutes. I was struck by the long cloud to the west so took a pic. OK so the cooler than normal temps does give good reason to start a fire outside. Being outside is always better than being inside, no matter the activity.
Now that Redington Road has been repaved, it's fun to ride the rollers to the base of the climb. From there, it's 0.4 to the end of the pavement having an average grade of 7.5%. I ended the day with 18 miles, saving myself for a longer ride the next day. The runoff has again reached Tanque Verde Loop Road. The city was doing a fine job cleaning the sand when.... ....it left the pavement and promptly sank. The machine thrashed about wildly to improve its situation but was unable to do so, it stuck, like so many vehicles at this wash. Across the wash, someone had killed some time and erected a teepee. Been a long time but I headed for Painted Cave Road. It takes one over the Tucson Mountains but the road has no berm and very busy so I rarely come this way. I rest at a gas station and contemplate replacing my laced cycling shoes with SIDI or something similar. The laces are a pain and I miss the simplicity of the closure system of other shoes. I recross the mountains at Gates Pass. It's newly paved on both sides of the mountain. I've been climbing for about 12 miles and am glad when I reach the top and a nice down hill thereafter. Finish with 51 miles and. 2600' of climbing. I need to work in more steep climbing cause I'm headed to Ohio for an extended stay. More on that soon.
With two children and a grandson visiting soon, I wanted to refresh my memory on how to navigate up canyon to the 80' falls. I thought the 8 year old would enjoy this adventure. Lots of people were enjoying the sun and water as I descend off Redington Road. A healthy flow of water greets me. I actually thought to bring water shoes with me so slip them on and stuff my hiking shoes and socks in my pack. Every visit, I'm struck by how huge is the bolder on the left side. I have to cross the water several times to reach this point so glad I brought the alternative shoes. Check out the falls, upper left in image. At this point, I had to cross the water yet again but now, the water was waist deep and flowing strongly. I've never hiking wearing these water shoes and was unsure of the quality of the traction. Plus, my feet bottoms were getting round by the constant presence of pebbles and sand. I look wistfully at the opposite bank but decide, I probably should come back in a few days when the water flow diminishes. Disappointing but fun, nonetheless.
One more systems sweeps out of Southern California and deposits about 1/2" of rain on us as I visit Sabino Canyon for a hike. So grateful that I have hiking as an alternative to cycling on days I deem unfit for riding (although there are plenty of cyclists out during my drive). The clouds are just beginning to break up. I pass the dam on Sabino Canyon Creek as I push up canyon.... ....looking for a place to cross. All those boulders but none placed strategically close together to allow me to hop across. I decide not to remove my shoes and socks so reverse course... ...heading back to the parking lot. Finished with 4 miles. The next day.... ....I drive to a nearby wash to check if water is flowing and sure enough, it is. As I'm standing, chatting with a couple who live on this road..... ....a guy on a gravel bike pushes through but alas, once his tires reached the thicker sand, he had to dismount and walk the rest of the way.
The bike touring companies can be found, most days, in front of La Buzz, getting ready to send their guests up Mount Lemmon. On this day, I drove to Oro Valley and headed to Saddlebrook. Love the mountains! Skiers are still finding enough snow on the north facing slope of Ski Valley, to make their runs.
Some one got a haircut! I frequently include Woodland Road on my routes. Many horse farms and with the winter rains, the grass is green. I paused at this fence and these two came over to investigate. And than.... ....we received more rain along with mountain snow. Driving to Oro Valley, the setting sun created a beautiful view of the western Catalinas as we... ....sat on the patio of Harvest Restaurant for dinner.
A day off the bike but still wanted to do something active so I drove out Redington Road, passed the trail that takes one to Lower Tanque Verde Falls and parked close to another trail bound for the Upper Falls. The signage is pretty serious, including warnings for clothing optional. I descend into the canyon and face the usual very fun bouldering challenges as I go up canyon. There is still a nice flow of water so I may have some difficulty crossing where I need to cross. Whoa! Impressive cairn. And there you have it, a warning about what is ahead. The upper falls and a gorgeous location. There is a 20' climb up a wall on the right side that I managed to ascend and then, with head firmly looking forward.... ....walked through the nudist beach. OK, sure I shot a few, very quick, sideways glances. One woman had a "nice tan" the others, put your clothes back on. lol. The next day, I showed up for a 50 mile group ride of 25 people. As I sat in my SUV, applying sunscreen, I watched a cyclist emerge from a truck driven by her husband, wearing a mask. She kept the mask on as she busied herself preparing. Once ready to join the group for the pre-ride announcements, she removed the mask. Kept it off during the ride, during regroups, during a rest stop at a gas station, etc... Covid broke some people. It's sad to witness.
I arrive at a dirt parking lot and look at today's destination. What was I thinking, signing up for this!?! I have not done a climb even remotely similar since last August and the "Climbing to the Sun Road" in Glacier. Thirty of us departed at 10am well, I left 10 minutes early. I wanted to take a few pics as people passed me. I had taken a short break at mile 6 of the 12 mile climb. My legs felt pretty good, so far. The route is shown above. The scenery is spectacular. At about mile 9, the distinctive Baboquivari Peak comes into view. The average grade of the climb is 5.7% but that is skewed low because the first 3 miles are flatter. The final 6 miles is over 6%. I had to take a second pause at about mile 10 with the observatory now in view. I rounded a shade corner and.... ....yikes! a field of ice. There was a dry tire width in the middle so I kept pedaling but it ended and I had to choice but to keep pedaling while maintaining a straight line. It worked out. Others dismounted and walked the section as I did on the way down. The proof, I made it. I did considerably better than my expected last place. My legs actually still felt relatively good. This was my 5th attempt but I was 30 minutes behind my best time at 1:09. Not good but ok all things considered. This climb should be on every cyclist's bucket list. It's ranked as the 3rd most difficult in AZ. It was kind of cold up here so I did not linger for long. Coyote Peak in the foreground, Mount Lemmon in the background. I coasted down, accompanied by spectacular views. I had to stop a couple of times to warm my hands, lol. At the bottom, the temperature was a very welcome 70 degrees.
Some of the washes, like this one on Wentworth Rd, have taken a beating from the runoff. Obvious evidence on Tanque Verde Loop of vehicles having successfully made it through this wash, despite the barriers warning not to. With serious snow melt set to begin.... ....we drove 21 miles up Mount Lemmon, stopping at Palisades where the snow was about 8' deep. Jack had a blast chasing an orange ball, over and over. We got out on a short ride that included a pause to take a pic of a camel, at least its head. It was a beautiful, dry day except when crossing some runoff on Redington Road. I signed up with 30 other people to do a ride up Kitt Peak to the observatory. I've not done a climb even remotely as difficult, since last August in Glacier NP. I anticipated much suffering and was thusly rewarded. More to come.
Too cold or windy (for me) to ride so back to Sabino Canyon for a hike. So grateful to have this and other nearby parks. It rained overnight. Mount Wrightson's peak, peeks through a layer of clouds, in the distance. And now, the water is flowing over the previously dry bridge. Lacking a hiking pole, I arranged for one of the above hikers to throw theirs over to me so I could use it to balance across the side of the bridge. Part of my route included the Creek Trail, a beautiful setting. Check out the mountain now! I participated in a group ride, observing all the area peaks now have snow, which reaches down to the 3500' level. Briefly of course. Rincon Peak above. More snow as I finish the ride. Thankfully, good weather news.... Winter, here, is officially, finally and definitively over.
While the forecast may say 90% chance of rain, almost always there are dry windows throughout the day so I drove to the end of Speedway, about 5 miles from our home and headed out. Looking to the northwest, from where the weather was coming I saw a partial rainbow partially obscured by a cloud burst. Fantastic! I planned to head up the above ravine. A fun collection of slick rock and obstacles but.... ....oh boy, rain is moving in fast. Late that afternoon, the snow had moved almost to the valley floor. The next morning, wet and snow on the front range of the Catalinas! I was out early and headed to a nearby wash. Healthy flow of water. Blackett's Ridge with snow just visible in the opening, beyond. And the stupid drivers are out. Why would anyone drive into the above?
Another system moved through and dropped several inches of snow on the mountain. The ski resort up there, the farther south one is located in the US, is doing booming business. I joined a group ride with a start temp of 52 degrees...brrrr. We climbed to where the pavement ends on Redington Road and took a break, admiring the great views. Finished with 37 miles, 1400' of climbing and a 17.3 average speed. Our morning view as the sun rises. The next couple of days were cloudy and cool so I headed to Sabino Canyon for ....a loop hike that included part of the Phoneline trail and a close look at a curious road runner. Mount Wrightson also covered with snow. The trail rises steadily above Sabino Canyon Road. At some point, I took a connector trail that.... ....dropped me down to the flowing wash on the right. I was able to cross the lone, unflooded bridge but that would not be the case on my next visit. Finished with 4 miles.
The main parking lot at Sabino Canyon is always packed this time of year, making finding a parking spot a challenge. I exited the parking lot and began a 3 mile hike that included.... ....a bridge that is always the last to be covered with water draining from the surrounding mountains. Dry but barely so it likely will be covered in another day or two. Farther upstream.... ....water is already flowing over this bridge. A beautiful site, the Sabino Dam with a healthy flow of water. I walked above the dam which provided a good view down stream. I had not crossed the aforementioned bridges so didn't have to make another river crossing. Instead, I took this trail and linked with..... ....Sabino Canyon Road and a return to the parking lot.
It seems as if there are more days when it rains, recently. Every time a system comes through the lingering..... ...clouds produce awesome images. At last, the washes are flowing and with the forecast rain and snow melt, they'll continue to do so for quite awhile. I took Jack to a wash that was not yet flowing so he could....., ....chase a ball. He loves this activity. The above wash is now under water and with that, I wonder if I'll catch any cars stuck in it. Why yes I will!
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