November 17, 2018. Chris, Tom and yours truly returned recently from participating in the 2018 edition of the El Tour de Tucson www.perimeterbicycling.com, held annually in Tucson, Arizona. El Tour is one of the largest road bicycling events in the U.S., attracting between 7,000 and 10,000 participants. Tucson is consistent ranked by several journals as one of the "most bikeable large U.S. cities" and "top ten best bike towns". This year the 102-mile century ride included over 2,500 participants alone, including 3 stalwarts from the Windbreaker Bicycle Club.
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| Chilly 7:00 am start in Downtown Tucson |
After arriving on Friday afternoon and checking in at the rider expo, we were joined by our wonderful hosts for the weekend, Fred and Sandra Luckau, friends of Chris and Teri Carlson. We headed to Barrio Brewing Co. for dinner and a cold beverage before heading to their beautiful home in the Tanque Verde area just outside of Tucson.
Rising early the next morning, and heading to the start in Downtown Tucson, we joined the other riders on a cold, crisp roll-out following a counter-clockwise route southeast of Tucson toward the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, then north along Old Spanish Trail and at the western edge of Saguaro National Park.
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| Top of the climb, mile 30. Warming up! |
As the weather warmed we continued along the foothills of the Catalina Mountains through Oro Valley, Tortolita and Marana before returning to Downtown Tucson and the finish line party. A great effort by the Windbreakers!
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| At the Marana, AZ Rotary Club rest stop, mile 80 |
In addition to representing our club, I was proud to represent the Ontario-Montclair Rotary Club in the companion event, the Ride to End Polio, which is held in conjunction with El Tour. Many thanks to my fellow club members who supported this effort. And finally, and big Windbreaker "thank you" to Fred and Sandra Luckau, our wonderful hosts during our stay in Tucson. Ride On!
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| L to R, Chris, Tom, John, Teri, and our hosts, Fred and Sandra |
