Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Updating from the Desert

11/11/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Sunday I jumped in with a few hundred cyclists to do the Silverbell Century, one of the primary training rides prior to the Tour de Tucson, which is in two weeks.  I rode 45 miles which included a fun descent of Tangerine Road and....
Picture
....upon reaching the town of Marana, I left the route to head back towards Twin Peaks Rd and a return home.  Lots of acres devoted to growing cotton, not what one would expect out here.
Picture
Monday I had to hang around to await the arrival of more furniture and then headed to Phoenix to pick up my daughter Olivia.  I enjoy driving the back way via #77/79/60 which includes going through Florence and wide open views to the west.  After the sun drops below the horizon, there is 35-40 minutes of a beautiful glow.
Picture
Olivia wanted to get in a couple of hikes and I was more than happy to oblige, with shortish, fun hikes.  We began with Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail, a very steep slog.  The saddle at the top of the image is the midpoint goal.
Picture
Olivia is somewhat afraid of heights so the sections that required climbing with exposure and handholds were a challenge. 
Picture
OK, the last cabled section that is a sheer rock face with a few poles and two cables connecting them was the most challenging for her.  She took a break, talking to herself and then with shaking hands, made it through.
Picture
She was pumped when she reached the top.  A 1500' elevation gain in a little over a mile.  A cold front moved through the evening before so the temps never got out of the 60's today and it was kind of windy but warmer weather arriving soon.
Picture
Emboldened by her success, Olivia leaped through the obstacles that had caused so much consternation an hour before.
1 Comment
Corvair
11/12/2015 10:27:49 am

Very cool pic of Olivia with the mountain behind her!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.