Tortolita Skills Clinic

A full moon rise / sunset combo ride on the river trail. Very nice. My legs are pretty dead, but I decide to join Chad’s Tortolita ride, 12 hours later. Why, oh why, do people in Tucson get up super early to ride, even when it’s not hot?

In our 5.5 hours on the trail, we covered an earth-shattering 13 miles. I don’t think the word “ride” is appropriate, it was more a skills clinic.

Rocks were the primary teachers, though switchbacks and all other forms of guh-nar frequently took the lectern as well.

We were frequently schooled by the designed-for-hiking trails. Wouldn’t have it any other way. (Chad did go back and clean that section)

Classroom couldn’t be more beautiful. Evil Patrick and Evil Tracey joined us in the beginning, but didn’t stay long. Bummer, as they are both very skilled riders.

Dave M as well. Good to see him picking up techy confidence.

Jonathan drives a forest service truck and has a lot of enthusiasm. He suffered multiple flats (when people flat the others simply continue to session!) on this ride, but didn’t seem fazed by it.

A rare section of trail that features continuous dirt.

Other times, you realize your tires are spending more time on rock than anything resembling dirt or open ground. Jake gives a nice trials-style pause while contemplating the next rock garden. I think this may have been the one where he ripped a foot long hole in his shorts. For being from the midwest and riding in Tucson for the first time, he was riding very well, throwing himself at stuff most people would balk at.

Chad and I continued our scholarly pursuit on the lower trails, where many an interesting “problem” awaited.

That little turn is a lot harder than it looks — give it some body english!

The many faces of Chad Brown:

I

II

III

He pulled that one off, though it certainly doesn’t look like he did.

Smack it, Chad!

Oh yeah. Thanks for the great day, all.