Today we rode to the start of the memorial ride for Kenneth Vieira and Claire Rhodes. The ride was taking off as we rode up. For a Monday ride we found over 400 people riding out of the lot. The route followed  Ken’s Monday ride he led for many years. When it came to intersection where the accident occurred a TV station was there to film the small gathering that had a ceremony for the people who were hit. The ride went on down the road following Ken’s route. Jim and I followed for a while then peeled off to ride in a different direction.  In a city that is so aware of the cycling community it makes a person sad to think that this memorial ride had to happen. Reality…it easily could have been a pedestrian or a motorist at that intersection when the fellow driving under the influence came to the same place.

Around 4:00 “V” and Gary came by to take us to one of their favorite resturants. Teresa’s Mosaic, a Mexican resturant that proved to be worth all of their praise. Jim and I both chose a chicken chile rellano that was quite tasty. It didn’t have all the cheesy sauce many rellanos come with. I apologize, I know many friends that take photos of their meals. I just don’t think about doing that. This one I probably should have.

On on the way to Green Valley to visit with Jim’s cousin John, We had seen him last summer in Traverse City Mi. Now we are going to his winter home. First we have to stop at the site of the Titan Missile museum.  This was a cool trip. Growing up with a Dad worked in the aviation business of building planes and other aeronautical parts for many things we never knew about, it brought back memories of building models with my Dad of many of the planes and such he helped build. The Cold War for those who grew up in that time was interesting. The drills at school to hide in the hallways to protect us from some nueclear blast or seeing businesses pop up selling bomb shelters seems rather futile when you see this monster Missle. This Titan missile carried a nine-mega ton payload. Where the contol center was there is a long hallway, it and all of the underground building were suspended on springs. You can see them down the hall. Our tour guide is Marge Humphrey, She was the last commander at the site till it closed in 1982.  The funny shaped pieces Jim and I are in front of are their sensors. If anything came into the area these would detect it.  I have a few photos but if you want to know more RoadesideAmerica has a great story on this area. During our tour Marge brought up several times ” Peace through Deterrence” that if they bombed us we would bomb back. For that reason the Cold War stayed that way.

On to see John. Smooth sailing till we almost get there.GPS’s are great to a point. We found him and off to lunch. John is 82 and spends his winters here then back to Traverse City for the summer. He lost his wife 2 years ago and is doing well. Family keeps him busy. This next month he will have a constant flow of family. It was great to spend time with him. He and Jim are avid readers. Jim found a book he had not read. John gave it to him and we will return it this summer.

 

Today we are riding the Santa Cruz loop. We have ridden it before. We are getting use to getting around the city via the trail system. It makes us smile to see all the different  rider using the trail system. Today I took time to take photos along the way. This trail has beautiful bridges and landscaping.

Jim and I rode to Old Tucson. When we finish our ride it would be a 50mile day. The Saguaro National Forest is all around. Old Tuscon started out as set built for the 1939 movie starring John Wayne in “Arizona.”The Pima Indians helped build the replica of the old city from the 1860’s. From there many movies, TV shows and many other venues have been filmed there. When you go, it looks very amusement “parky”. Jim and I had been there back in the early “90’s”. In 1995 much of it burned. Once there I was disappointed that the old wooden boardwalk with all the names and movies carved in it had gone away with the fire.  It is still used for different productions. Today they stage shootouts,robberies and do a great job. For lunch we had BBQ. Which was pretty darn good. Jim saved the little metal javalina.

Joe  Patronite we have known for many years. A photographer he made his home base here years ago. We caught up wth him and he met us at the trailer to go on a bike ride around the city. We wandered the city he took us by an interesting cafe. Just an old building from the outside. When you ride through  the archway it opened to a beautiful courtyard with tables and lots of cyclist enjoying a cup of coffee and a tasty treat.

Back to Bicas! This time the shop is open. It is truly a recycle place. Old bike parts, cycling clothing, shoes. What is really great is the bike sculptures around. The bins of old parts reminded me of doing inventory. Boy I don’t know if I would want to count all those parts.

Riding around the corner from Bicas, we came to an organization that helps kids through tutoring and cycling. The race team is ” El Gruppo.”   The woman behind all this is Danielle and Steve volunteers his time to the group. All the bikes and equipment are donated by citizens in the city. Good people doing good things.

We mosied down through the campus and on the Joe’s home. We said our goodbyes and made our way back home. In these desert towns you get use to seeing landscapes with desert plants. We passed this house with a yard full of wild flowers.

It’s Friday and we are off to the Fox and Hound for a fish fry and to watch Arizona play Oregon. It was fun the whole resturant was full of Arizona fans. To cheer with everyone when a great shot was made was great. Kayla our waitress took our photo. Sent it off to  our Rockfish friends. The end of the day and just another sunset.

The Saurgo National Park is located around the Phoenix area.We drove out to the part near Old Tuscon. It was fascinating. All around there are many types of cactus. The surprise was the animals, birds and snakes. Coyotes just hanging out, Javelinas marching in a row. They were actually headed for a  park lady who was going to feed them some vegetables. There was a hummingbird house where you found yourself ducking as they zoomed around the trees and plants.

The snake was in the process of eating a mouse…gross! While a mountain lion was chilling out in the shade of a tree.

There is a mountain outside of Tuscon called Mt. Lemmon. It is a cycling climbers delight. The climb will vary between 4% and 9% then even sometimes 10% to 12%. We passed riders climbing the whole time and those descending as well. The views wer spectacular. We stopped at one place and there was a park ranger that would tell you about the mountains and terrain in the distance.

Tomorrow we are of to Phoenix. Tuscon is at the top of our list for riding. The trail and  road systems are great.  We smile when we say, “Yeah,  could retire here. Phoenix is a much larger city. It will be interesting to see what it offers in the way of cycling. Family is there. We will have fun catching up with everyone.