Weekend Ride Report: El Tour de Tucson 2021

November 21, 2021.  Always eager to seek out new adventures, the Windbreakers traveled this past weekend to Arizona's "Sun Corridor" to participate in the annual El Tour de Tucson bicycle century www.eltourdetucson.org.  This trip had the added bonus of meeting up with longtime club member and now club Valley of the Sun bureau chief Steve (aka "Coach"), and his beautiful wife, Ces, who recently relocated to Chandler, AZ.  With a total of 6 Southern California-based Windbreaker riders joining the fun, the weekend promised to be a good one.

Before sunrise, the travel caravan met up for a 6:15 am start from Windbreaker country for the drive east to Arizona.  Light traffic on Interstate 10 allowed the lads to make good time, and before long we were in Tucson for lunch and a cold beverage at Barrio Brewing.  Following lunch we obtained our registration materials and met for a pre-ride dinner at Noble Hops restaurant for good food and fun. 

Sun beginning to rise at the start

The lads gather prior to the start in Downtown Tucson

Come Saturday morning, we met early on our bikes prior for the scheduled 7:00 am start in Downtown Tucson.  Before long we were on our way headed southeast toward the sun rising over the Rincon Mountains and Saguaro National Park.  The route then proceeded past the airplane boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, along the Old Spanish Trail up to Pistol Hill, then south and west through Corona de Tucson to Sahuarita Rd.  

Craig leads the Windbreaker pack heading out early on Aviation Hwy.

As temps started to rise we followed a rugged and desolate route through Green Valley along Mission Rd, before turning north toward the finish along Nogales Hwy to the finish at Armory Park in Downtown Tucson.  The Windbreaker flag flew tall with many participants commenting on our club kits and riding prowess.

But the fun wasn't over just yet.  Following the ride we met at hosts Steve/Ces' home for cold beers, cocktails, and a delicious dinner to round out the day.  We found that our very own "Doc" is quite the mixologist, sharing his skills to prepare some excellent cocktails and generous pours of his delicious wine made from grapes grown in Windbreaker country!

Gathered on the 18th Green at Whirlwind GC to conclude
the weekend festivities.

But wait, there's more!; with Rabbit and Hammer hitting the road back to Southern California early Sunday morning, the rest met at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass for a round of golf!  With man hugs all around we said good-bye and Ride On to a great weekend!