Brown

Fred is the latest visitor from the northlands — if you can call Moab “north.” Certainly not much dirt to ride up that way these days.

Plenty here. Rain just means good traction.

Chad and I met Fred out in the Tucson Mountains. Starting at the campground there was only possible trail choice we could make: Brown Mountain.

Hike-a-bike?!

Chad and Fred are both in there (above), but I didn’t have the super zoom camera today.

Chad watches in astonishment as Fred almost cleans the turn.

The last descent is always a rib tickler. I got away with only 2 dabs and felt like it should have been more.

We then went out to the Prospector / Sweet trails and proceeded to embarrass ourselves. Fred knew the area better than we did from his one ride this weekend. I just never get out on those “flat” trails — it’s been years. Chad has less of an excuse since he just rode it last weekend on his massive TMP Big friggin loop. I’m itching to take a crack at that loop and the associated “virtual racing” challenge (more on that later).

Chad’s smiling as we’re about to bail on a another failed attempt to find the easternmost Prospector Trail. Once we found a deep mine, second we hit the park boundary and found ourselves in ATV-land. All good fun.

We rolled back on Golden Gate Trail, where Fred had a flat attack.

Flats in Tucson? Naah…

I didn’t mind the delay since I was happy just not to be dribbling around the house. ~3 hours was my limit for moving time on the day, and this just meant more time absorbing UV rays and enjoying the scenery.

Fred then embarrassed us further by taking us on a trail back to the campground when we were about to take the pavement. So much for our tour guide service!

Always great to see Mr. Fred. They’re off to do some more exploring, but I hope to get out for at least another ride with him.