February 1, 2025 to February 4, 2025
3 dirty rides, 1 beautiful cactus
Working on a theory that most folks are here for the road biking, I'm going to round up a few off-road rides and dispatch them briefly in one post. Another perk is that it gets me closer to catching up. If you've had all you need for now about riding in the dirt, feel free to skip down to the last photo. I promise it's worth a scroll.
All three rides had something new. This is what I love about Tucson. I can ride every day and see something different.
Friday on Bajada Loop
Twice this year I have approached the gravel on Bajada Loop and turned back. Today’s the day. Barry is occupied with bike maintenance; I’m on my own. I don’t need a long workout after yesterday so I’ll drive up to Saguaro National Park and ride from there to start up the loop on Hohokam Road.
Some people come here for the scenic drive, some for the hiking, but only a few cars pass me on the way up the gravel road. I settle in for a quiet ride among the Saguaros.
At the halfway point where Hohokam Road meets Golden Gate Road to close the loop, I turn the other way on Golden Gate for a little out-and-back further up the mountain to the Ez-Kim-In-Zin picnic area.
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 2 | Link |
1 week ago
There's a good chunk of the warm afternoon left when I get back to Desert Trails so I wander out for a walk. Over at the Bocce court I meet Jen and Jason who are here visiting her parents. Jason invites me to join the game.
As the conversation inevitably gets around to cycling, he asks if I'll be at the Monday group ride. Each week a group of folks at the RV Park caravan down to ride on the Tucson Loop. How is it that we haven't done this yet in the years we've been coming here? We'll have to correct that.
Saturday on Golden Gate
In my search to find more gravel routes I've come across one on RidewithGPS not far from the trails we usually ride. I'm suspicious about the claim that it's really a gravel route. We'll scout it on the mountain bikes.
The first five miles are familiar and fun, other than a steep hill that I stall on three quarters of the way up. Instead of clipping in I use traditional mountain bike pedals with spikes that grip the soles of my shoes. When I dismount on the hill, one of the spikes punches a hole in my right shin.
It's such a small thing but bleeds like crazy, soaking my sock. I have to lay on my back, stick my leg up in the air and press on it to stem the flow. It's rather undignified; just as well there are no pictures here.
On the other side of Kinney Road we get on Chaparral, a rocky, twisty trail. That leads us to Golden Gate which is rockier and steeper. This is definitely not a gravel trail. Three other guys fly past us at one point, demonstrating a skill level way beyond me.
We ride what we can and hike the rest. The riding is great as long as I stay in my comfort zone. I am risk-averse and don't mind walking the technical parts. Overall this was a pretty fun and interesting ride, but I've satisfied my curiosity about Golden Gate. At least for now.
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 2 | Link |
2 weeks ago
1 week ago
Tuesday group ride on the trails
Tuesday? What about Monday?
Not to worry, the ride streak is intact. I'm saving the Monday group ride on the Loop for the next post.
I've cleaned up the blood on my right shoe and sock from the last adventure, but the spike bites on my legs are accumulating. Maybe I should add shin guards to my armor.
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 2 | Link |
2 weeks ago
A huge group of 19 forms up for the Tuesday ride of the Desert Trails Mountain Bikers. Our leader Bill is just coming back from a cold. He's planning an easy loop on Ironwood, and encourages anyone who wants to lead another group off for more excitement. Nobody takes him up on it, and we all file out in slow, stately procession.
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 3 | Link |
1 week ago
When Bill stops at the two mile mark to count heads, someone in the back announces that her group is going up to Cougar Trail and we are welcome to join them. That's where we did the rollers last week that were so much fun. I'm definitely ready to bail from the convoy. Barry and I peel off to ride with the big kids, whoever they are.
They lead us off on a speedy Mr. Toad's kind of ride. Even on the easy trails it's all I can do to keep up. At the first stop we get acquainted - actually reacquainted, with Marty, Dave and Mary. It turns out we have ridden with all of them on the Tuesday rides. Last year Marty helped me out of a tussle with a jumping Cholla bush on the trail.
Marty explains why they took off so fast. She just realized they are all riding e-bikes; we're solely pedal power. In the parlance here, they're digital, we're analog. They are happy to slow down.
Marty and Dave lead us uphill towards Cougar Trail at a pace I can keep up with. It's helpful to follow their line. Mary rides in the back and encourages us at every turn - riding or walking.
The route is familiar since it's close to what we did last time. I recognize the rock pile Barry rolled down last time like a pro. I didn't know the name of it at the time and find out today they call it Death Valley.
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 0 | Link |
When we get to Cougar, the rollers are just as much fun as last time, maybe more since we've seen it recently. It feels great to nail the hills and keep up with the group.
If you've made it this far, congratulations and thanks. This post didn't turn out to be as brief as I thought. Let's get right on to that cactus.
The best new thing for today is undoubtedly the huge Crested Saguaro that we ride past on the way back. The plant seems to be doing well. Dave points out a new thumb on the right that grew out since last season. In all the times we've ridden nearby I have not seen this before.
Today's ride: 35 miles (56 km)
Total: 265 miles (426 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 7 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 2 |
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago