Tag: Mesa

Saguaro Lake

Posted on July 25, 2018August 5, 2018 by Rich

So little riding this year means that today’s modest ride gets a blog entry. Ah well. Isam and I took off around 6:30 this morning up Bush Highway. Already 90F – gonna be a hot one. But oh so beautiful overlooking the Salt River coming down King Kong. It was great to see so much regrowth of foliage after the big ‘Cactus’ fire in the salt cedars last year. North through one of my favorite sections, the rollers past Usery Moutain Road. We stopped at the Pebble Beach rec area to splash water on our heads and generally look around,

preRA: Love Those Panniers

Posted on April 5, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

This started as a loaded conditioning ride to IHOP and turned into a shopping trip. Sure is nice to have the panniers. President Obama needs to learn about these – they could help solve our Middle East oil-related problems (as well as domestic health problems, traffic problems, pollution problems, …) IHOP: Breakfast with Jesse and Gary REI: Bought a touring jersey and a fluffier camp pillow, using a 20% off sale plus credit from last year’s rebate. Landis Cyclery: Bought a new cyclometer for the Surly (the wires pulled out of the last one). Also, Vanessa suggested I try some

preRA: Queen Creek

Posted on March 27, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

When the alarm bell went off Saturday morning, I just lay there in bed and stared at the ceiling. Friday’s ride had been a workout for me, and the idea of a spirited chug with the bike club around the foothills of Ahwatukee just did not appeal. However, I decided I’d like to do a little pedaling this weekend, so when Linda set off for golf this morning, I hopped onto the still-loaded Surly and set off south for Queen Creek. I’d always wanted to explore the passage down there, both by Ironwood Road and by Ellsworth Road, because they

J&P 11: Casa Grande to Mesa

Posted on February 21, 2011March 4, 2015 by Rich

Up at 7. My legs, sore from the previous two days work, certainly felt better after a night’s sleep. Continental breakfast in the lobby: cheese blintz, ham, hash browns, coffee, water. At 8AM Mary Ellen called and I soon met up with her at the Super 8. On the way I ran into Jesse leaving Legacy Suites. Jesse commented that the Legacy Suites was so basic they didn’t even offer a drinking cup in the room. At the Super 8, we messed around taking pictures, and Jules showed up around 8:10AM. Clear blue skies this morning and cold, and SUCH

J&P 10: Florence to Mesa

Posted on February 15, 2010December 4, 2014 by Rich

Phil was again up before me, no surprise. This Holiday Inn had a much more decent continental breakfast. I sat with Jan and Annette at first, and when they finished I joined into a nice conversation with Geni. Randy was scheduled to drive the RV for the first segment, and so he stationed himself in the parking lot collecting riders’ bags. Sally, Phil, me, Darlene, Tom, and one other rider (guy with grey curly hair) rode though Florence, and stopped at the Blue Mist to see what was happening. Tom decided to wait for Paul, and suggested we take off

J&P 10: Mesa to Casa Grande

Posted on February 12, 2010December 4, 2014 by Rich

Took off about 9:15am in order to meet the tour group at the Starbucks at Dobson and Warner Rds. by 10:45am. The bike handled quite well. I could feel the extra weight, especially in terms of slow starts, but not as bad as last year. I left the house no less than 3 times, each time remembering something else, like bringing the garage door opener with me, or taking a daily vitamin. Heading south down Lindsay Rd., I was increasingly bothered by a nice creak every time I pushed on the right pedal. I must have missed that with the

J&P 10: Preface

Posted on February 11, 2010December 4, 2014 by Rich

Having a century under my belt in December, I kept up a decent riding schedule throughout January in anticipation for this year’s J&P Tucson Tour. This being my second year for it, I knew better what to expect and how to pack. My front tire, which had been rotated from the rear a few months ago, was showing serious wear, so I decided to again change both out for my touring tires, reasoning that they would handle the additional weight better, and be more resistant to road debris. Just like last year, those tires were a real beast to get

J&P 09: Casa Grande to Mesa

Posted on February 16, 2009December 4, 2014 by Rich

Up at 6, and as usual, Phil is up quickly but I’m dragging a bit. There is a free continental breakfast in the lobby, a cheese Danish, and I really enjoy the raisin bran and whole milk – tastes like another dessert! We’re out on the road a little early this morning, by about 7:45am. Before we go, I hear Sharon say that many riders will usually meet at the McDonalds or The Good Egg at Chandler Heights Blvd and Alma School Road, and so I make an arrangement with her to pick up my panniers there. We head north

J&P 09: Mesa to Florence

Posted on February 13, 2009December 4, 2014 by Rich

Tom’s last email indicated that the group would meet Bob and me at 11:30am. I figured that riding with the loaded rig would be slower, and so I budgeted 2 hours for the 18 miles. However, when 9:00am rolled around, I was so amp’d up to go, I just rolled on out of the driveway and started out onto Recker Road. My bike was certainly a different beast with its load. Of course, the extra weight made start-ups slower, and accelerations took a lot more pedal effort. Handling was particularly sensitive to grooves in the pavement, and even rolling at

J&P 09: Preface

Posted on February 12, 2009December 4, 2014 by Rich

At the end of September, my friend Mary Ellen Coe sent me a pointer to the J&P Tucson Tour. I asked further about it and she simply told me it was a bunch of fun. 2008 was a strong cycling year for me, basically culminating in the El Tour de Tucson ride in late November. In early December, I rode in the Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club’s Free Ride. Mary Ellen and I pushed hard the last 25 miles or so, doing 22-24 mph the whole way, and as a result I strained my knees plenty. The pain lasted a week