Updating a Busy Week

Sunday, I rode with a Tour de Tucson training group ride of 56 miles and the upside to that was meeting someone who told me about a Thursday ride and said, "Oh, you'll fit right in with that bunch.".  Didn't know what to make of that but then on Tuesday, I hooked up with an early morning group hike.  The sun breaks the horizon and brings another day of sunshine.  Still warm out here with temps in the upper 80's but that is going to change soon.

We followed a couple of different trails, headed to Cochise Springs.  On the way, Picacho Peak way in the distance.

The 8 of us reached the spring, dry now and someone broke out salami and cheese.  How about that!  Finished with 10.5 miles and done by 10:00am, before it gets too hot.  Hiked again on Wednesday and then.....

...headed to the Starbucks on River and Campbell Roads to join the Thursday ride I was previously encouraged to attend.  It is called "Tim's Ride" after a guy who raced in Ohio for a couple of years.  I think his name is Tim Caroline and he does bike fitting.  Really fit looking group of cyclists, with 25 showing up for the 7:30am start and 60 degrees.

I turned and caught this image.  Not of cyclists but check out the restaurant, "Zinburger" a wine and burger bar.  Beth and I checked it out and it is an upscale sports bar with fantastic hamburgers.  Wine list is kind of small but there is a "Stags Leap" chardonnay and so what it lacks in quantity it makes up in quality.  I highly recommend it with locations in Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tucson and elsewhere.

Anyway, we shoved off and headed west, then north and then hit Twin Peaks Road.  The pace is intentionally moderate to keep most together and I was amazed at the self restraint shown by many who could motor away whenever they want but Tim stays at the front and no one jumps out of the pack.  Upon crossing Tangerine Road and heading up Dove Mountain, then and only then are the hounds released.  I hung in until the final ramp and had to spit the bit and after reaching a roundabout, reversed course and head back for a regroup at a gas station before proceeding back to the shop, again at a moderate pace, ending with 47 miles.

Then I went hiking yet again.  There are three major construction projects in the immediate vicinity, all building condos or rentals.  Hard to believe the area can support the addition of hundreds of new units.

I headed off trail in to the mountains, doing some more scouting for my new trail to Bighorn Mountain.  Someone told me out of all my concerns about creating a new trail, I did not think of bee swarms.  Disturb one of their nests and you are toast.  Every year a few people die from the bee swarms.  I did see a fox sprinting away and I have reservations about entering an area that probably has rarely been disturbed.  Above the barrel cactus begins to produce fruit.  Below, Friday's big adventure and more to come about that later.