getting up early to bike these days
It's getting hot in Tucson so the biking starts early now. The desert air cools off nicely at night, and it is very pleasant in the morning. Today was my longest distance yet (45 miles). We had a fun paceline coming back with nice rotations and very effective 1 minute pulls. It was a blast!
happy trails and biking hills
This is the second time that I have biked Mt Lemmon up to mile marker 12 and 6,000 feet elevation. Today I took the photo. The weather was delightful and I felt good. There were many bikers out today and just a couple of cars. I descended without any car wanting to pass. Nice ride. I needed to put on my wind vest to descend as it was cool. I suspect it will only get warmer from here. And I swam for the first time yesterday. At the University of Arizona pool. Unfortunately for me, it is 50 meters long before you get to touch a wall, and it is outdoors. So there is wind, sun and temperature, and twice the usual distance per lap. It takes forever to get to a wall! I must repeat... BU has the best pool ever. But I suppose I will get used to it. Dammit.
hiking, biking, working, and the UA symphony (4/30/10)
It has been a while since I have updated you! Where to begin? First of all, and reluctantly, I must admit that going back to work is an adjustment. It has been months since my early retirement began, which has been a truly pleasurable experience. But work is not a bad thing either, and I enjoy my job more now that the dreadful on-line training is complete. What a boring and tedious endeavor that is. Today I had my first in-person practice and I was pleasantly surprised. It went smoothly with a 5.5 year old, and we covered the plethora of tests at a good pace. He did really well and seemed to have fun! This job might be okay.
I got to use my CatCard (short for U of A Wildcats) to purchase discounted tickets ($5) to the symphony on Sunday with a friend. There are many museums and events available for free or at discounted rate for UA CatCard holders. That's me!
The biking has been first rate, and I am closing in on 1,000 miles. The cycling group is challenging and motivating, and includes a former Olympian. I am getting stronger as we climb Mt Lemmon once a week and rack up the miles on the roads in the foothills. I'm sure you've heard that Tucson is ranked #9 for 700 miles of bike lanes. In the springtime our rides begin at 9:30, but now they move to 8am to avoid the heat. Coffee and a sandwich follows each ride. See why retirement is good?
The hiking is incredible. Within a 5 minute drive from my apartment to the mountains, there are so many different hikes. I have not repeated one yet, and we go once a week. I am up to 8 miles at a time now. That's not a piece of cake yet, but we'll keep working at it. The views are gorgeous, and the landscape is so unusual. Don't expect any shade. Thus the wide-brimmed hats. So far, I have encountered snakes, a gila monster and the collard lizard. Here's some photos to show you of our last hike to Seven Falls in Bear Canyon in the Coronado National Forest.
Hiking Blackett's Ridge 6.2 miles
This hike is along a ridge between two canyons (Sabino and Bear canyons). At the narrowest point it is called a saddle and the canyons drop steeply on both sides of the narrow trail. There were plenty of wildflowers out today, and a few critters. Temp was in the 70's with a light breeze. Nice day.
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