GABA-Tucson’s Annual Holiday Season Pot Luck Party!
B.I.C.A.S. stands for Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage
IF YOU Did NOT receive YOUR UPDATE IN THE MAIL
GABA Calendar of Bicycling Events
CASA GRANDE CENTURY Sunday, January 12, 2003
Pima County Medical Society Building
5199 E. Farness (see inside cover of this issue for directions)
PLEASE BRING ONE CAN OF FOOD TO BE DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK!
At the annual Holiday Party we share good food, awards, presentations and ride stories! Also learn about our love for bicycling with others this Holiday Season.
Bring your favorite dish to accompany the turkey and ham provided by the Club. Choose to bring a vegetable/side-dish, bread/rolls, stuffing/potatoes, gravy or appetizers; or any desserts of your choice! Beverages will be provided.
A special Appreciation Program is planned, including the Club Members Award Ceremony, which will include several awards such as Volunteer of the Year, Ride Leaders of the Year, and more. Join us in showing appreciation for all those who have helped make this Club one of the best!
If for any reason you're not able to bring a dish, please come anyway and enjoy the camaraderie of the event! We'd love to see you all there!
Everybody is welcome!
For more information call the party coordinator himself, Dick Schaffer, at 326-4807, or send him a friendly message at bikeschaf@aol.com.
An Experience with B.I.C.A.S.
By Jackie Cieslak
The headline "Build your own bike” caught my eye. I had been looking in the Tucson Weekly for something to do, and had just recently become interested in riding bikes. The article went on to say that there was instruction in simple bicycle repair. After completing a course of five weeks, you were allowed to pick out a bike in need of repair and it was yours to fix up and keep. Community class cost adults $75, and children under l5 years old cost $50.
B.I.C.A.S. is a cooperatively run community-based non-profit organization. So if you are interested in the program but unable to pay, they will allow you to work a trade.
This sounded intriguing to me; I called the number provided for more info, 628-7950. I talked with one of the staff, who informed me the classes would run Thursdays 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays 1 to 5 pm. It sounded like I would get my money’s worth.
Thursday was the day I choose. This was nice for me because it ended up being a small class on those nights.
We started our first class with learning how to change a flat tire. This was something I really wanted to know. I was riding alone, and in remote areas, so this skill alone made the classes worthwhile.
The teacher starts the class, by demonstrating on a certain part of the bike for the week. The class learned about fixing flats, bottom brackets, (three-piece, one-piece) headsets, front and rear hubs. After learning these skills, you can move up to the advanced level and learn coaster brakes, the drive train, wheel building and truing.
The staff was very patient and knowledgeable. They always made sure that I understood the instructions. After completing my nine weeks of bicycle instruction, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I now have more confidence when I go out riding.
I highly recommend this program for all those interested in bicycling.
While attending the class at B.I.C.A.S., there were different age groups of men, women and children. They all looked were enjoying themselves.
I would like to thank all the staff that made my time at B.I.C.A.S. enjoyable. It was a great experience. Thanks to Megan, Demitri, Mario, Allen, and Jeff.
For those interested in learning more about bicycles at B.I.C.A.S. call 628-7950.
Sunday, February 9, 2003
Options for 100, 62 and 32 miles
With a course almost entirely flat and a variety of options, this century offers many opportunities for cyclists of different abilities. Distances offered are suitable for families and novice riders, as well as more experienced riders.
This is also a good century to set a new Personal Best!
Starting at Grant and Silverbell, cyclists head north on Silverbell Rd., continuing over Shadow Pass, a short hill at the north end of the Tucson Mountains.
The course follows the back roads of Marana and Avra Valley before continuing north on the frontage road to Picacho Peak (the turn-around point). The return uses the same route, in reverse.
Look for the lunch stop, located near Picacho Peak at the turn-around point.
Two other sag stops along the route will furnish water, fruit and snacks.
Most of the course has little traffic. The scenic Picacho Peak looming in the distance keeps changing shape as you get closer and closer!
Pre-registration is VERY much appreciated. Helmets, good riding practices, and a successful enjoyable ride, are mandatory.
FEES:
GABA members: $15
Non-members: $20
DAY OF EVENT FEES:
GABA members: $25
Non-members: $30
SIGN IN LOCATION is at GRANT and SILVERBELL (on the NE CORNER). EVERYBODY MUST SIGN IN AT THIS LOCATION!
Registration Time: 7:45 AM to 8:15 AM. Everyone MUST be on the road no later than 8:30 AM. Sign in and pick up your maps. After you sign in, 100-milers start riding from here.
Riders doing the 32 and 62-mile options will drive to their specific starting point according to their selected option, and start riding from there when ready.
32-milers start riding from Marana at Sandario Rd. & I-10 Exit (Exit 236). Park near the Circle K.
62-milers start riding at the Marana (formerly Avra Valley) Airport, Avra Valley and Sandario Roads.
Want to help? Everyone needs to take a turn to help make all our wonderful GABA rides work! Please call Suzanne if interested!
For more info, please contact the Ride Organizer, Suzanne Couvrette, at (520) 358-3466.
Don’t wait! Contact Steve Graeber as soon as possible! The Membership Director inputs your data in the GABA Database and is the ONLY person who can help you.
EMAIL STEVE GRAEBER
GABA-Tucson Membership Director at: worldwerks@theriver.com Or call (520) 762-1363!
On Skyline Drive, from Chula Vista Road to Campbell Avenue
1. TRAFFIC SHIFT AND REDUCED LANE WIDTH
Eastbound Skyline traffic, between just west of Orange Grove and just east of Campbell, has been shifted to the north and motorists are traveling in the new "detour" lanes. There are two lanes of traffic in each direction on Skyline with travel lanes narrowed to 10' wide. The traffic on Campbell just north of Skyline has been shifted to the west side of Campbell and remains one lane in each direction. This detour will be in effect for approximately 6 to 8 months.
2. THERE IS NO BICYCLE LANE AT ALL because of this construction.
Please check the project website for updated construction information or sign-up to receive email updates. SEE
AND BE SAFE
By Mark Levine
I arrived at Sahuarita High School at 5:30 in the morning, while it was still dark out. The rest of my crew came by shortly. We started unloading all the food and separating it for each sag stop. As the sun was just beginning to rise, we started having better visibility.
More and more riders were showing up. We were waiting for the tables to arrive, so we could register everyone properly. As the tables were a little late, we decided to start registering people early than planned because the crowd was starting to get "hostile"; they wanted to ride!
Finally, the tables arrived and we were able to finish registering all the 100 milers. The rest of the registration went smoothly.
The sun was now out and it was a perfect day for the ride!
All my volunteers did what they were asked to do: take very good care of the riders! I want to thank Gary Segerman, Dick Forcier, Ron Fullerton, Ed Lederman, Dick Schaffer, Gary Dufault, Roy Schoonover, Vonnie Dufault, Trish Locklear, Janet Landis, Steve Wilson and Donna Lewandowski. This ride would not be have been possible without the help of these great people!
Last year we had to move our lunch a few times because the sprinklers came on. But, this year I made sure that it did not happen! There were plenty of Subway sandwiches for everyone, no one got hurt on the ride, and all riders had a great time! See you next year!
The secret to good weather was discovered for this year's Tom Mix Century: have Kari and Dawn volunteer instead of riding.
The weather was perfect for riding! One hundred and eighteen riders enjoyed this weather. The course and scenery were great. Maybe next year the Porta-John people will put ONE toilet at each SAG instead of TWO at the first SAG!
We would like to thank all the riders who came out to support the ride. And an additional thank you to all of the riders who thanked the volunteers.
Without the help of the volunteers there wouldn't be a ride. We'd like to thank Cliff Extract and Marcia Katz for their help at registration.
At SAG 1, the previously mentioned Kari Angeley and Dawn Elvick were stationed. And at SAG 2 were the veteran volunteers Patti and Richard Goodsell with Glenna Coleman and Cristina Franco-Carrillo.
The Finish Line help were first-timer volunteers Laurie Elling and Suzanne Radcliffe. Sid Smith was his usual super self, helping with the SAGs and Sweeps. We'd also like to thank Martin Carillo for the use of his truck. And a final thank you to the Shed Masters for making our efforts easier!
Throughout Arizona and including other community cycling events
To list your event here, please call Arizona Bicycling Update Editor Suzanne Couvrette at (520) 325-8114, or fax her at (520) 325-4272.
Jan. 12(Sun)
CASA GRANDE CENTURY
GABA-Phoenix.
Options for 62, 85 or 108 miles. Jane Larson, 480-947-8093.
FEBRUARY 2003
Feb. ? ( Sun)
SENIOR OLYMPICS
Feb. 9 (Sun)
PICACHO CENTURY
GABA-Tucson
100, 62 or 32 miles. Flat course north of Tucson with meandering in Avra Valley. Turn-around point at Picacho Peak. Ride Organizer: Suzanne Couvrette, 358-3466.
Feb. ? (Sun)
LAVEEN COUNTRY CHALLENGE
Feb. 23 (Sun)
COOLIDGE CENTURY
GABA-Tucson
100 or 65 mi. Flat course, ideal for a Personal Best.
MARCH 2003
March ? (Sat)
LE GRANDE TOUR XIV
Organized by and benefiting Parks & Rec. Loop ride around Casa Grande. Options for 10K, 50K and 100K.
March 14&15: TBC-TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC
Great Bicycle Racing Event with national reputation! For info, 884-5564, or snsbohn@azstarnet.com
March 15 (Sun)
MINING CENTURY
GABA-Phoenix
Superior to Globe to Winkelman to Superior. Scenic and hilly! 7,000 feet of climbing! Superior to Globe to Winkelman to Superior.
Kathy Hendricks, 480-775-1108.
March 22 & 23:
ORGAN PIPE NAT'L PARK BIKE TOUR
GABA-Tucson
Scenic course west of Tucson. Fantastic views of Kitt Peak and Baboquivari! Many distances to choose from. Camping and meals at the Monument included.
March ? VULTURE 150 GABA-West Valley
2-day camping tour with 100 miles the first day and 50 miles the 2nd day. Ride starts and ends in Wickenburg, and goes west to White Tanks Campground. Leader: Betsy Turner, 623-979-8110.
March ?:
HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER
GABA-Tucson
Experience back roads in Mexico on your bike! Small towns welcome you along the way! Meals provided by our Mexican hosts! Organizer: Tom Ward, 520-625-3649.
March 29 (Sat):
EL BIKE SWAP DE TUCSON GABA-Tucson
On 4th Avenue! Organizer: Greg Yares, 323-9020. In conjunction with City of Tucson Bike Week.
APRIL 2003
April 12 (Sat):
EL TOUR DE PHOENIX 10th Annual.
Call PBAA at 520-745-2033 or email at pbaa@dakotacom.net
April 12 and 13
SONOITA-BISBEE
GABA-Tucson
65 miles from Sonoita to Tombstone to Bisbee via Mule Pass. Enjoy old world charm of quaint Bisbee! Return via Sierra Vista. Ride Organizer: Dick Schaffer, at 326-4807.
April 19 (Sat)
JOHN FARR DESERT DOUBLE
GABA-Tucson A 200-mile loop west of Tucson. Fairly flat terrain. Many sag stops. Ride coordinator, Suzanne Couvrette, 358-3466.
April 26 (Sun)
TTM - Tour de Tucson Mountains 18th Annual
100K and 50K. Call PBAA at 520-745-2033 or email at pbaa@dakotacom.net
April 25-27
ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGE
GABA-Phoenix - Ride 3 days, 320 miles, 22,000 ft of climbing!! Phoenix up to Strawberry via Payson; Strawberry down to Camp Verde, up to Jerome and Mingus Mountain to Prescott; Prescott back to Phoenix. Leader: Dick Landis
MAY 2003
May 10-11
SALT RIVER BIKE TOUR
GABA-Tucson. 85 scenic hilly miles each day from Globe to Show Low and back. Ride coordinator: TBA
May ?
TOUR DE PAYSON
GABA-Phoenix Bob Beane at 480-961-1951.
May 24-26
LUNA LAKE TOUR
GABA-Tucson. Moderately difficult ride in central Arizona and New Mexico. Approx. 65 miles each day. Springerville to Quemado, N. M. to Reserve N. M. and back to Springerville.
JUNE 2003
June ? (Sun)
MT HOPKINS HILL-CLIMB- Mountain bikes
GABA-Tucson. A 12-mile climb with fantastic views! Leader: Tom Ward, 520-625-3649.
JULY 2003
July 4th (FRI)
TOUR FOR TUCSON'S CHILDREN
Tucson Parks and Recreation, and the Tucson Fire Department. Four options: 27-mile ride, 10-mile family ride, 10-mile in-line skating and 1/2 mile children's ride. Purpose: to raise money to provide helmets for children who can't afford them. For info, Jim Conroy, 791-4873, ext. 141.
July 12 & 13
DAVE FREUND MEMORIAL WHITE MOUNTAIN TOUR - GABA-Phoenix. Show Low to Springerville and back via Sunrise. Approx. 50 miles a day.
AUGUST 2003
Aug. 24 (Sun): OPENING DAY OF "EL TOUR" TRAINING RIDES
GABA-Tucson. Now's the time to make a commitment! Want to really achieve your Personal Best at El Tour in November? Every Sunday. See El Tour Training Rides Schedule until the event.
AUG. 30-SEPT. 1
BLUE LOOP TOUR
GABA-Tucson. 55, 60 and 90 miles in central mountains of Arizona and New Mexico! Very little traffic! Lots of hills and scenic vistas! Starts in Morenci, to Glenwood, N. M. to Alpine and back to Morenci down the famous Coronado Trail!
SEPTEMBER 2003
Sept. ? GILA
INNER LOOP BICYCLE TOUR
Sponsored by the Silver Spokes Bicycle Club of Silver City in New Mexico. A 2-day, 80- to 145-mile tour in southern New Mexico. Organizer: Jackie Blurton, 505-388-3351.
Sept. ? (Sat)
CORONA DE MARANA MS BIKE RIDE
Charity ride to raise money for MS. 100K or 50K, or 10K family fun ride. For information, Karin Erickson, 747-7472.
OCTOBER 2003
Sept. 27-Oct. 4: GREAT ARIZONA BICYCLE ADVENTURE
GABA-Tucson. Reviving the Well-Known North-South Course from Grand Canyon to Nogales! Seven-day, 500-mile camping tour in Arizona. For info, call Message Line: 520-349-5932 or www.bikegaba.org. Roy Schoonover, Ride Chair.
Oct. 4 and 5:
CAVE CREEK TOUR. GABA-Tucson. Scenic and easy 45-mile (per day) on the east side of the Chiricahuas. Overnight stay in cabins at SW Research Center. Meals included.
Oct. ? (Sat)
COCHISE CO. CYCLING CLASSIC. Organized by PBAA. 252, 160, 90 & 45 mi. Perimeter of Cochise County. 520-745-2033, or pbaa@dakotacom.net.
Oct. ? 7TH ANNUAL BENEFIT TOUR OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS For mountain bike cyclists. 63-mile, 46-mile, 35-mile and 25-mile single track challenges; 50-mile and 25-mile forest service road tours. More details later. See www.nrmc.org/twm.htm or call (520) 53706319 for Cynthia.
Oct. 12 (Sun)
TUMACACORI CENTURY
GABA-Tucson. Options for 25, 65 and 100 miles.
Oct. ? (Sun)
HEART OF ARIZONA - GABA-Phx, GABA-West Valley, ABC and Bullshifters. 27, 69 or 107 mi.
Oct. ? (Sat)
THE BISBEE 1000
It's a 5K that feels like a 10K! Climb over 1,000 stairs in quaint Bisbee! For info, call Bisbee C of C, 520-432-5421.
Oct. ? (Sun)
PALO VERDE CENTURY GABA West Valley
NOVEMBER 2003
Nov. 2 (Sun)
TOM MIX CENTURY
Scenic course north of Tucson! Enjoy a few gradual climbs as you prepare for El Tour! GABA-Tucson. Organizers: Carol and George Franklin, 722-8340.
Nov. ? MS150
BEST DAM BIKE TOUR Charity Ride. Ride from Phoenix to Parker. http://ms150.dsw.nmss.org or 480-968-2488.
Nov. 15 (Sat)
EL BIKE SWAP DE TUCSON
GABA-Tucson. Again on 4th Avenue! Greg Yares, at 323-9020.
Nov. 22 (Sat)
El TOUR DE TUCSON 19th Annual. Organized by PBAA: 520-745-2033 or pbaa@dakotacom.net.
DECEMBER 2003
Dec. ? (Sun)
TUMACACORI FESTI-VAL RIDE
GABA-Tucson. 30-40 mi to breakfast at Zula's in Nogales. Return to Mission to enjoy food, craft and entertain-ment. South on I-19 to Tubac exit, then south on EAST frontage road to Mission. Tom Ward, 625-3649.
Dec. 1 (Mon)
HOLIDAY SEASON POT LUCK
GABA-Tucson Clun Meeting Location.
Dec. 7 (Sun)
SILVERBELL CENTURY
GABA-Tucson. 65 and 100 mi. Ride takes you to Rancho Vistoso, down Tangerine, across Avra Valley and up to the ghost town of Silverbell. Return via a different way.
Dec. 13 (Sat)
TOYS FOR TOTS BIKE RIDE
GABA-Tucson. More details TBA.
by Paula and Obie Hindman
my true first vessel
i pedal away from home
so silent and free
my heart is flying
on my boyfriend's handlebars
vehicle of love
with four passengers
the frame quivered below us
we got across town
Saturday, December 14 at 8 AM
Meet at the intersection of Sahuarita Rd. and Old Nogales Hwy.
The “Populaire” a 92-mile ride and introduction to randonneuring!
By David Glasgow
Best described as fast touring with time limits. Randonneurs ride “Brevets” usually of 200 kilometers and longer.
Everyone rides at his or her own pace. Randonneuring is non-competitive.
Successful riders, completing the course within the established time limit, are listed alphabetically as opposed to order of finishing time.
Riders may try to ride fast for a “Personal Best,” but not to defeat other riders, as in a race.
Finishing the course within the time limit is the objective in “Randonneur” style cycling. How fast it is done is secondary.
This “Allure Libre,” self-paced, long distance bicycling, promoted by Andax Club Parisian, Randonneurs Mondiaux and Randonneurs USA has come to Arizona! Arizona Randonneurs, a group headed by Bruce Chandler, will sponsor its first “Populaire” (shorter brevet used for introduction to Randonneur-style riding) on December 14th.
The December “Populaire” meets at the intersection of Old Nogales Hwy and Sahuarita Road at 8 AM, Saturday, December 14th.
Registration, cue sheets and check point cards will be distributed for an 8:30 AM start.
The course is a 150-kilometer (92 miles) “ramble in the countryside,” running from Sahuarita to Arivaca and return. There are Randonneuring check points (controls) along the route including a self-pay luncheon at Major Tom’s Gadston Coffee Company in Arivaca.
The group’s Regional Brevet Administrator indicates there will be a calendar of longer brevet rides available in 2003. Two hundred and 300 kilometer events are already scheduled for March. For information about the Randonneur Group or the December introduction ride, contact Eric Ewing, (520) 744-3077.
The Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club (Phoenix Metro GABA) presents the 2003 Casa Grande Century! Join us January 12 for the 1st century of the New Year! Then call your friends back east and tell them what a good time you had!
OPTIONS: 62 miles (metric century), 85 miles or 108 miles (century +).
TERRAIN: The 62-mi. is out-and-back w/ slight hill. The 85-mile is a loop, with a slight hill. The 108-mile ride is a flat out-and-back.
STARTING POINT: Alma School & Chandler Heights, NW corner near Safeway. (Chandler Heights is between Queen Creek and Riggs Rds.) Please park at the far SOUTHEAST side of lot.
DIRECTIONS TO START: From Tucson, take Interstate 10 to the Riggs Rd exit, then go 3 miles east to Alma School Rd, then 1 mile N. to Chandler Heights Rd.
REGISTRATION TIME: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (It’s January, and we don’t want to freeze any more than you do. So SLEEP IN and enjoy starting when it’s warmer!)
Never done a long ride before? This is the perfect first century. The terrain is flat, the roads have low traffic, and the temperature is guaranteed to be cool.
There will be 2 sag stops on the route with water, fruit and snacks, as well as a lunch stop at the turnaround point, Dave White Regional Park in Casa Grande. Lunch (with a drawing for lots of bike-related prizes) will be available from 11 AM to 1 PM. Please adjust your start time accordingly.
SUPPORT: A vehicle will be available to collect those suffering from physical, mechanical or mental breakdowns!
OTHER QUESTIONS: E-mail ride leader Jane Larson phone (602) 444-8280, or check www.sportsfun.com/gaba
RIDE FEE: PMBC/GABA/ABC members: $15 Non-members $20 Late fee after 1/5/03 $10
Make checks payable to PMBC, P.O. Box 26788, Tempe AZ 85285-6788. Use Generic Pre-registration Form on page 15.
ALWAYS SEEKING A new spin to a mountain bike ride, the Out There gang decides this morning to use a relatively new stretch of the Arizona Trail to connect an old jeep road for one of the best mountain bike loops in the Tucson area.
In the spirit of the Appalachian Trail, the Arizona Trail eventually will run the entire length of the state. Meanwhile, new sections of the trail are opening possibilities for loop hikes and rides. A case in point is the connection of two sections of the Bellota Ranch Road (U.S. Forest Service Road 36). This 4,000 foot elevation, nine-mile loop makes an excellent trip for riders of all skills.
Located in Redington Pass, about 15 miles northeast of the city limits, the ride makes an ideal morning getaway. Depending on your inclination toward pain, the route can start off in one of two places. After driving up Redington Road you can either drive the 2.3 miles down Bellota Ranch Road to the Arizona Trail trailhead or you can tack those extra miles onto the ride by parking right there at the main road. If you don't have a high clearance vehicle you should park close to Redington Road. Otherwise, your car may become another rusted hunk left for the local bovines to critique as modern art.
In any case, you should eventually come to a large wash with a sign--shot up by some jerk--noting the Arizona Trail. Here the fun begins. Head west from the sign until you see a trail climbing the bank on the south side of the wash about 50 yards away. This is the beginning of some of the finest single track around.
Climb this bank and follow the trail. The technical challenges on most of the ride are fairly simple. About a half-mile into the ride waits a sharp bend and steep slope and a quarter-mile after that there's another steep slope with a maze of rocks you will have to navigate.
Since these stretches are so short, novices can walk through them. If you are a glutton for punishment, like the members of the Out There crash dummy team, you can make multiple attempts at the difficult spots. Nothing shows how little you know about mountain biking more clearly than hitting the same damn rock time and time again. From our perspective it is uncertain if practice makes perfect or not, but it certainly keeps the spoke manufacturers in business.
After two miles you cross Caliente Canyon wash. When fellow rider and University of Arizona geophysics student Scott Balay was here last spring, considerable water was running through the wash. Today it is bone dry. Shortly after crossing the wash, we connect with an old jeep trail.
Here you are left with three choices. If you want to extend the day, go left and ride the two miles to West Spring. If you want to tackle those difficult sections again, turn around and do them in reverse. If you have had enough, turn right and follow the jeep trail toward Bellota Ranch Road.
A mile after the ranch you will see the road to Chimney Rock on your left. Bear right and you will eventually come back to your vehicle in the wash, assuming there have not been any floods.
We head left toward West Spring. After zooming through the wash we continue riding on the old jeep trail. One section of the road dips into the wash again and crosses a jumbled section of rocks. Two narrow routes present themselves through the tiny tire-eating chaos. As one rider gets caught on the left I duck right and hurtle past with shouts of bravado.
Shortly after that we come across a lone hiker.
"I thought I heard ghosts following me," she says, apparently having heard our hoots and hollers.
"No, we're still pretty much alive--for the time being," I reply.
But shortly after that, with our corporeal bodies weighing us down nearly as much as our schedules, we decide to turn back at the next cattle gate. The truly hard-core could continue riding all the way up the Arizona Trail into Molino Basin Campground on the Catalina Highway. From there you could ride down the mountain and rendezvous with a vehicle to take you back to your original vehicle. Be warned, the trail gets incredibly steep after West Spring.
Not having half that much motivation or logistical planning at our command, we turn around.
Somewhere on the ride back, downhill champion and UA geology student Jason Crosswhite's rear tire starts fraying and bulging apart. If the tube pushes through the tire then we're sunk; we'll be forced to (egad!) walk. Using their wonder twin powers, Scott Balay and his brother Mike come up with a plan to use a couple of Power Bar wrappers to line the inside of the tire wall and make a temporary repair.
After some finagling we get it to work.
"It's amazing we actually got to use something we read about and it works," Scott says.
Crosswhite's machine is able to limp along. After a few miles a strip of the wrapper shows through the continually fraying tire.
"That's OK," Mike says. "It's when you can tell what flavor it is that you're in trouble."
The return trip on the road is much faster than the single track sections. Before long we are coasting down into the wash where we left our trucks, a fine morning behind us.
Getting There:
Take Tanque Verde Road east to Redington Road. Drive seven and a half miles up Redington Road (going past the turn-off for Chiva Falls) and look for the white sign marking Bellota Ranch on your left. Your ride can begin here or, if you want to save yourself a painful uphill exertion at the end of a ride, you can drive the two miles to the wash and Arizona Trail trailhead.
Mapage: Since the Arizona Trail is so new, no maps show this section of it. The Santa Catalina Recreation Map shows Bellota Ranch and the jeep trails, so if you draw an imaginary line from "The Lake" halfway to West Spring that map could work for you. The Agua Caliente Hill and Piety Hill 7 1/2 minute topographical maps show the surrounding terrain and the direction in very well, so it is up to you.
RISE SET
12/1 7:06 AM 5:19 PM
12/7 7:11 AM 5:19 PM
12/14 7:16 AM 5:20 PM
12/21 7:21 AM 5:23 PM
12/28 7:24 AM 5:27 PM
RISE SET
1/1 7:25 AM 5:30 PM
1/7 7:26 AM 5:35 PM
1/14 7:25 AM 5:41 PM
1/21 7:23 AM 5:47 PM
1/28 7:20 AM 5:54 PM
For Sale: COLNAGO SUPER, 1982, 56cm, red with chrome fork. Original owner, ridden 2 years, excellent condition. Complete bike with vintage Campagnolo Nuovo Record and Cinelli components, also includes 2nd set of wheels with Super Champion tubular rims and Campagnolo Tipo high flange hubs. Great vintage bike for $1000. Jim Jordan (520) 625-9190 or jamajordan@juno.com (Tuc)
CANNONDALE CAAD 4 Road Bike. 56cm Frame, Candy Apple Red, Dura Ace 9-speed, Topline Cranks. Excellent cond. Paid $1900 new, asking $850 or best offer. Matt Zoll, mattzoll@cox.net or 321-4471 (Tuc)