Pulled Over

I don't cycle much in the fall but there was a group ride on Thursday that was labeled as a C+/B so I thought that would be perfect.  Of course it was a rocket start with a B+ pace that included going over Gates Pass.  Later we stopped at Saguaro East National Park for water and then headed up Picture Rocks Road. As we approached one of many rises prior to the actual top, we saw a white suv parked off the opposite side of the road pointing toward us.  Without warning, it pulled in front of us doing a U-turn.  No lights mounted on the top but as it turned we could read the Park Ranger symbol on the side.  We slowed to avoid running into the back while a member of the group through up a hand.  The ranger pulled off the road and told us to stop.  She claimed we were exceeding the 40mph speed limit (I wish going up a freakin hill) and that we failed to pull over when she was in an emergency situation (no siren, no lights, nothing).  What complete BS but we for the most part swallowed our tongues and moved on, finishing with 45 miles. Then Friday....

...I drove to Sabino Canyon to do the Blackett's Ridge fitness hike.  It starts flat but with about 2 miles to go, gets exceeding steep while finishing with 2.80 miles to the ridge.  I do this each visit to see how my time compared to previous visits.  The day was partly cloudy but clouds built as they often do in the mountains while the valley stays sunny...well on some cloudy days which are rare.  As the climb began, it was spitting rain and soon it began raining harder.

By that time, I had too much effort invested in the hike so was determined to persevere as the cloud burst moved up canyon to my left.  I ran into a hiking buddy so that gave me a rest as I stopped my Garmin to talk.  So while I had a very good time to the ridge, that rest period no doubt gave me an advantage. The good news is we scheduled a great hike for 10/5. 

In the above image, you can see the rain moving farther away and it remained dry for the balance of the day with brilliant sunshine later.  Looking into Sabino Canyon far below...

....I could see one of the trams that departs the visitor center every 20 minutes (lower left) making its way up the road where it eventually turns around at a dead end.