Riding & Softball

Each late summer, several groups mobilize to begin Tour de Tucson training rides.  Each weekend there are rides from various points, the length of which incrementally increases each week.  One such ride began only 3 miles from my home but at 6am which is a few minutes prior to the sun rise.  Very odd for a 38 mile ride to start so early and at 5:45am I prepared to ride to the start but it was still dark.  I waited for a little light and headed out to.....

…..catch the group on the return form a short loop and so.....

…..I did.  Note in the distance, that is a rain shadow!  There was some excitement among the cyclists that we may actually ride in the rain....how about that Midwesterners!!!  The memory of doing so, frequently, is still too fresh so I was less than enthusiastic.  Fortunately, our route skirted the rain.  We were a fitness compatible group and I hung in until about 3/4 of the way up the Twin Peaks climb.  Dropping anchor is nothing new and I was actually encouraged by my cycling progress, slow as it may be.  I left the group.....

…...to get in a few extra miles that included a stop at my fav gas station, QuikTrip.  Note the beautiful mountains in the distance.  Finished with 51 miles and then at 6pm.....

….was sitting in a dugout, waiting for my turn at bat during a game of softball.  The kids are accepting of me despite the enormous gap in age if not in youthful exuberance.  I never really grew up as some of you have observed:)  Typically, I play the infield but tried the outfield for a few innings.  I have some real trouble tracking the ball in flight.  I can see it just fine but figuring out its trajectory (is it destined to fall in front or beyond me) is a problem....then the wind....yikes.  This experiment was a disaster so I resumed my spot at shortstop or second.  We had a good game for 2 hours with much of it played under the lights.  Fun time!