Arivaca to Sasabe & Back

Another beautiful sunrise as I drive an unusually long time of 90 minutes to....

....Arivaca to join the Cactus Cycling group for a never previously ridden route to Sasabe and the US border.  Quaint little town as 14 of us gather for a simple route, west 12 miles on Arivaca Road then south 12 miles on St. Rt. 86.  I got in with the front group of 6 and arrived at #86 with a 21.7 average.  Full disclaimer, this portion was mostly downhill and down wind.

We regrouped at the southward leg.  The intensity of the first 12 miles exceeded that to which I have subjected myself for awhile so I joined a 2nd group of 3 people.  It was a strange southbound leg because there were a series of hills and at the top of each, the next hill was higher, than higher again and on and on. Anyway, we arrived in Sasabe and proceeded a short distance to the boarder.

We hung out for awhile in front of a lone, reasonably stocked market.  A few people went to the border with their passports and despite being warned how dangerous was the area beyond, went through.  However, they stayed only long enough to have their pic taken in front of a welcoming sign and then quickly returned.

Baboquivari Peak in the distance on the Tohono O'odham reservation. That is a worthy hiking destination.  For those of us who declined the border crossing, we enjoyed the 12 mile return to Arivaca Road.  I arrived there, at mile 36 with a 19mph average but again, my endurance was not up to continuing at the pace so I bugged out and waited for the border crossers.  The final 10 miles was mostly uphill and into the wind.  My rear end was in agony so had to stop a couple of times, lol.  I need more time on the bike.  Finished with 48 miles and a 17.6avg.