TMP

Temperatures have dropped to the ‘perfect’ range, so I’m getting more excited about lower desert riding. Tucson Mountian Park is high on the list and since it’s so close, it will probably be where I do most of my riding in the near future.

On turkey day I had an awesome ride on the John Krein trail. We were eating dinner with a friend who lives out by Starr Pass, so I was able to stay on the trail late (rather than riding across town in the dark). I watched the sunset develop as I descended the ridge. It started as a fireball behind Kitt Peak, then it grew to a wall of flame across the sky. As I coasted and manuevered my bike around rocks and down ledges I stopped and took a few pictures.

Desert evenings are tough to beat in my book. I do indeed have much to be thankful of, and evenings like these are strong reminders. My life, my health, my friends (my family are included here), this beautiful world to explore and marvel at. I feel as lucky as could be.

Cycling wise, I’m in experimental mode once again, changing things on my bike, with my footwear, all in search of less pain, less damage and better performance on some of these long rides. Even if none of it really results in much improvement it’s still fun to try things.

Other {high/low}-lights of the week include Paula smoking the competition at the 5K Thanksgiving Race, laying out 2 miles of trail near Davidson Canyon, and getting chased by Pam Reed’s dog in Finger Rock wash. Perhaps a leash is in order, or, better, an acknowledgement and apology. All she did was yell at her dog like she was afraid it was going to kill me. Nice, very nice.

The wheels are turning in my mind on the next ride. It’ll be a little different than anything I’ve done before, but very interesting.