Madera Canyon Group Ride

Just outside our wall, a saguaro arm has fallen.  If that lands on someone, you'd be lucky to survive!  Although, I've replaced the landscapers on our property, the arm lays on community property and the HOA will take care of it through their landscaper.  It would take a chainsaw to cut that into manageable pieces.

Our unusually hot July continues.  Despite the relatively high humidity, there's been scant rain.  I'm grateful for the cloud cover as I head out at freaking 6am to get in 25 miles.  I've been thinking about something I have long said and in the middle of this hot spell I can confirm, a summer here is far more livable than a winter in Ohio.  I'm researching cycling and hiking in and around Whitefish, MT and will be prepared when we head there in two weeks with....

....Jack the Dog.  Yes, he needs a trim and is getting one next week.  The before and after images of him are impressive. We have a string of bells around our door knobs leading to the outside so he can nuzzle them when he wants out. He's not been doing that lately as the heat is uninviting for him too.

Sunset as I take Jack for a walk.  Amy is away for a week with her sister and two friends so it's kinda lonely around here.

Saturday arrives and I join a group of 9 for a ride up Madera Canyon.  It's 13 miles of climbing which becomes steeper, the farther we go with some 16%+ ramps in the last 2 miles. I've not done a climb even remotely close to this and....

...with 2 miles to go, drenched with sweat, hot, I spit the bit and turn around.  Finished with 25 miles while.....

...passing massive pecan orchards on my way back into Green Valley, AZ.