Group Ride to Arrivaca, AZ

It's been a fun first week but I had not ridden anything "longish" so signed up for a group ride out of Green Valley that headed south and then west to the very small town of Arrivaca.  There was around 25 people at the start and once on the road things settled out to a group of 7 of us leading the way.  We hung together the 10 miles until the turn west and then the Colnago jersey dude attacked and we got whittled down to 4.  Reaching mile marker 13 to the town, I distinctly remember thinking, "I'm never going to make it 13 miles at this pace." but surprised myself and we.....

.....stopped at this very neat coffee shop with ample outdoor seating.  It is a favorite for cyclists and bikers who ride the lightly traveled road.  It was 32 miles to this point.  We waited way too long for the others to arrive and then waited for them to snack and finally a few of us had enough and took off on the mostly down hill return, which was great.

The scenery in this area was not so good.  A guy said it reminded him of TN after a forest fire.  We finished with 64 miles and 2300' of climbing.  Well, on to the Kitt Peak climb, a report I will put up later today. Big week ahead, the Tucson Bicycle Classic starts Friday so the top domestic teams will be in town and Lori Nedescu is here as a presenter and participant at the US Military Endurance training camp.  She's going to try to get me images as she too will climb Kitt Peak and Mt Lemmon.  I'd like to be there when they ride Lemmon on Friday but have volunteered for registration at the Classic (free T-shirt).  I return to Superstition Wilderness on Thursday to help lead a hike, Lemmon will be swarming with cyclists on Wednesday so should go there, Tuesday...not sure and need to take today off after an active week but it is sunny and 80 so not sure I can force a down day.