Up Sentinel Peak to the Big A

January 25, 2025

I need to make the trip downtown again to pick up my mountain bike at Fair Wheel bikes. As long as I'm driving there I can get a ride in on the Loop and keep my streak going - five days in a row on the bike.

I load up the gravel bike, noticing how soft the tires are. Yesterday I cut the pressure to get more bite on the dirt and gravel trails. A ride on pavement will be faster and more fun if I pump up the tires.

This will be my first test of a new gadget - a mini electric air pump small enough to fit in my seat bag. The pump seems to connect fine and the power button starts it up.

After several minutes of watching the digital readout fluctuate from 20 to 35 and back down again, I figure I must be doing something wrong. The tire is even softer than before and my pressure gauge now reads 11 psi. I pull out the frame pump which takes awhile, but gets the job done.

The instructions for the little pump are back in the RV. I'll have to study up and try it again later.

Today's ride will be short and sweet. Starting from Irvington Road I spin up the Loop trail by the Santa Cruz river, on the lookout for roadrunners. At Congress Street I take the off ramp and do a loop across the Luis Gutierrez Bridge on Cushing Street, headed for the road up Sentinel Peak.

Passing under the Ajo Way bridge, this is the first time I've noticed the amphibious looking character in the corner. I wonder who or what he might be.

There must be roadrunners hiding around this garden of Mesquite trees.

There's a lot going on with the Luis Gutierrez bridge. I read in Occupied Tucson Citizen that on certain days of the year, sunlight through cutouts in the fins projects patterns that line up with images embossed onto the walkway. I'll have to go back for a better look at this work.

On the Luis Gutierrez Bridge, admiring the steel fins that shade the pedestrian walkway. Tucson has such a vibrant public art culture.

A couple of cyclists blaze past me on the climb up Sentinel Peak. I'm not going for any kind of speed here, just getting in a little work and enjoying the view on this breezy day.

Pedaling around to the base of the giant "A," it appears to be lying down from this perspective. Maybe I can find a better viewing spot when I get down and ride back towards the bike path.

In the parking lot at the top of the road I notice a guy setting up a hang glider. This is worth sticking around for a little while.

Looking south from halfway up the steep part of the climb

Sad to see the ghost bike, and wonder about the cyclist who lost his life here.

Maybe not the best place to appreciate the big A although you do get a feel for the size. It's been here since students at the University of Arizona built it in 1915.

Looking east at the Rincon Mountains. I like the big Saguaro here, studded with all its little shoots.

Turning around I see that hang glider guy has his craft together and is perched near the edge of the cliff, apparently ready for takeoff. I walk over to watch the scene. I know nothing about hang gliding. It's a mystery how he can get airborne with the stiff crosswind gusts blowing hard across him.

He leans into the wind for another 10 minutes or so, struggling as it pulls on the wings. Finally he steps back and aborts, at least for now. I'm relieved.

Circling back down the road my hands get their workout pumping the brakes. Barry loves to let it fly on a descent. Not me; I dislike feeling out of control, especially on a bumpy road. I'm afraid my hands will get knocked out of position and I'll lose it.

On the way back I cycle around the Mercado looking for a sighting of the big A and find it a little further south at the Mission Garden. That's an interesting place I'd like to visit sometime. From the Garden it's an easy pedal back via Grande Ave to the Loop.

We've seen the A from I-10. To me this vantage point has more charm.

I make my way to Fair Wheel Bikes for the third time in three days, likely not the last time for this trip. Alex has replaced the spoke, chain and shift cable and trued up the wheel, all for a very reasonable charge. Great shop.

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Today's ride: 14 miles (23 km)
Total: 107 miles (172 km)

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