April 12, 2025. Several of our Southern California-based clubmates gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona this past weekend to participate in the annual Tour de Scottsdale Metric Century bicycle ride. We joined our longtime club member Steve, who now lives in the Phoenix area with the title of our Windbreaker "Arizona Bureau Chief".
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| On the 1st tee at McDowell Mountain G.C.: L to R: Craig, Ryan, Tom, Steve, John |
Prior to Saturday morning's ride, we met up on Friday afternoon for a round of golf at McDowell Mountain G.C., followed by dinner and drinks at the club restaurant. A warm afternoon in the low 90's gave us somewhat of a preview of the temperatures to be expected the following day for the ride. After picking up our registration packets on Friday night at WestWorld of Scottsdale, we retired for the night to prep for the next morning's ride.
As the Saturday morning sun rose in the east, we anticipated a hot one, with temperatures forecast in the low-mid 90's by noon. An early start was called for, with the gang gathering in the hotel lobby for breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Following breakfast, we rode the short 2.5 miles over to WestWorld for the 7:00 a.m. mass start.
At 7:00 a.m. sharp, the riders left WestWorld and headed north toward Cave Creek and Desert Highlands, before heading east toward Rio Verde and around the McDowell Sonoran Mountain Preserve. Later in the morning, as we got toward the end of the ride and entered the Fountain Hills area, the heat definitely picked up. The Windbreakers hung tough, however, with stout finishes by all back at Westworld.
Later that evening, we met for a fantastic dinner and drinks, hosted by Steve and his lovely wife Ces at their beautiful home. A great weekend with friends...Ride On!
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| At the starting line: L to R: Ryan, Joe, Tom, Craig, John (Steve joined later). |
