It was a fine day for riding. My thermometer read 64 degrees at 6 a.m. in Tempe, as we made the final gear preparations.
Bob's wife Ginny sent us off with a big, hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes (my favorite) and banana pancakes (Bob's favorite), eggs, bacon, and hot coffee. Thanks Ginny! Let me tell you, we were well fortified when we rolled south. Ginny rode the first ten miles with us and then there were abundant hugs all around as we said goodbye.
We made it to Florence by 11:30 a.m. so that gives us about 65 miles for the morning. We "fed" on some slabs of pizza, and downed some Mountain Dew, at A & M Pizza, a restaurant on the edge of "The Wilderness," Bob's description for this neck of the woods. Beautiful, spare country down through this part of Arizona. The riding was good as we steadily climbed in altitude southward.
By 3:30 p.m. today we had arrived at the outskirts of Tucson, with 120 miles under our belts. We then rode the final 12 miles to Howard Johnsons where we'll overnight. By the way, fantastic pizza can be found at this great little pizzaria in Tucson called Enoteca (58 west Congress St.) We were able to replace the calories burned on the trip down ;-)
In all, we had 7:57 riding time with 133.3 miles covered. That's 215 kilometers for our European and Canadian followers.
Tomorrow, we ride the 109-mile leg of the 25th annual El Tour De Tucson, with up to 11,000 riders expected. This is a fun ride, with aid stations (food) every five miles. One never grows hungry. Ahem. The ride starts at the convention center downtown and will take us on a perimeter ride around Tucson.
Day one of CycleQuest Arizona is history!! Talk to you tomorrow!
Brad (and Bob!)
6 comments:
Lesa, Denise, can we phone ahead to see if there is a "dinner spot" preparing?
I know that BLUEBERRY Pancakes will drive Brad to speeds unheard of for him so he should almost be there already.
Love you and great speeds to you both
They're off!!! I sent them off with their stomachs full of bluberry pamcakes(Brad's favorite), banana pancakes(Bob's favorite) bacon and eggs and plenty of hot coffee.That should get them as far as Florence, the next feeding stop. I rode the first 10 miles with them and gave them hugs and kisses from all of us.
Ginny
They're off!!! I fed the boys blueberry pancakes, banana pancakes, bacon and eggs and plenty of hot coffee. They are in rare form. I rode a few miles with them this morning. What a perfect day for a ride.I gave them both kisses and hugs from everybody.
Ginny
Thank you Ginny for being our "physical" connection. I bet it was a huge hug. How thrilling to be a part of the ride if only for 10 miles. Landmarks, history being made here.......
I'm getting hungry for that breakfast now...ummmmmm
I'm in awe of you ability to accomplish this kind of ride. Glad Ginny was able to ensure an energetic start! Hop it was a fabulous ride and you made some new friends on the way down. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. Love, Deb
Alright. It seemed as though this trip was a breeze for you. I think it's becoming a challenge just so you can find new "feeding stations" at the edge "of the wilderness" and beyond. You'll have to keep a diary of the best and "most" in each area. God has blessed you with protection. May this Saturday ride be so awesome and fulfilling.
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