Day 1: Mexican border to Kentucky Camp
Enjoying the view with Rich
I was expecting I might be doing more hike-a-bike compared to others but DAMN it sure felt like I walked half of the Canelo Hills.
Low point: the sign warning about illegal and smuggling activity seen just about the time I was going to give myself permission to start looking for a nice spot to bivy. But this did motivate me to press on to Kentucky Camp before stopping for the night.
High point: highway riding from Patagonia to Sonoita with Rich as darkness fell. (Does choosing pavement make me a bad mountain biker?) I love night riding anyway and good company is always a bonus. Plus, there was not a BIT of walking. Had I been fast enough to reach it in daylight, the best riding of the day would have been the Flume Trail.
Most interesting thing: bumping into John Petit, fellow Tour Divider from 2011. He inquired about the other Sheila. "She's busy training for some crazy canoe race this year," I tell him.
Big shout outs to Scott, for delivering me to Arizona; Forest Baker, for hooking me up with a ride to the start, Chip for the hot breakfast (yay bacon!), and Dave and Linda for the great pasta dinner and a berth in their RV.
Here is a photo from Forest with Dave, Linda and Cjell.
Low point: the sign warning about illegal and smuggling activity seen just about the time I was going to give myself permission to start looking for a nice spot to bivy. But this did motivate me to press on to Kentucky Camp before stopping for the night.
High point: highway riding from Patagonia to Sonoita with Rich as darkness fell. (Does choosing pavement make me a bad mountain biker?) I love night riding anyway and good company is always a bonus. Plus, there was not a BIT of walking. Had I been fast enough to reach it in daylight, the best riding of the day would have been the Flume Trail.
Most interesting thing: bumping into John Petit, fellow Tour Divider from 2011. He inquired about the other Sheila. "She's busy training for some crazy canoe race this year," I tell him.
Big shout outs to Scott, for delivering me to Arizona; Forest Baker, for hooking me up with a ride to the start, Chip for the hot breakfast (yay bacon!), and Dave and Linda for the great pasta dinner and a berth in their RV.
Here is a photo from Forest with Dave, Linda and Cjell.
Day 2: Kentucky Camp to Tucson
Climbing legs are AWOL. Not sure if it is the altitude or a reaction to the first long day travel. Just gotta stay positive and keep chipping away at it.
Low point: reaching La Posta Quemada Ranch shortly before closing and finding out the little cafe closed 2 ½ hours earlier.
High point: miles of smooth, flowy trails through Rincon Valley and all the wildlife that appears at dusk.
Most interesting thing: my first Saguaro!
Low point: reaching La Posta Quemada Ranch shortly before closing and finding out the little cafe closed 2 ½ hours earlier.
High point: miles of smooth, flowy trails through Rincon Valley and all the wildlife that appears at dusk.
Most interesting thing: my first Saguaro!
Day 3 Tucson to Mt. Lemmon
Steepest and most difficult hike a bikes so far are between Bellota Ranch and Molino Basin but at least there seems to be more riding than previous days.
Low point: running out of water on the way to Molino Basin. Somewhere along the final climb I find a brushy overhang with a shady spot just big enough to hunker down. I rummage through my pack for something that won't make the thirst worse and find a treat I had forgotten about. The best apple I have ever tasted gets me over the top of the final climb. Big thanks to Mark for turning me on to Molino Spring at the bottom of the next draw.
High point: the first glimpse of Tucson city lights near Windy Point Vista and the climb up Mt. Lemmon on Catalina Highway. Also finding water spigot working at Bigelow trail head.
Most interesting thing: Leaving Tucson, I meet a couple of local cyclists out for a Sunday ride on Redington Road. I would have enjoyed this dirt road climb anyway but company makes it even better. Greg and Eric ride along keeping me entertained with stories of local bike racing and stray nudists. Thanks guys!
Low point: running out of water on the way to Molino Basin. Somewhere along the final climb I find a brushy overhang with a shady spot just big enough to hunker down. I rummage through my pack for something that won't make the thirst worse and find a treat I had forgotten about. The best apple I have ever tasted gets me over the top of the final climb. Big thanks to Mark for turning me on to Molino Spring at the bottom of the next draw.
High point: the first glimpse of Tucson city lights near Windy Point Vista and the climb up Mt. Lemmon on Catalina Highway. Also finding water spigot working at Bigelow trail head.
Most interesting thing: Leaving Tucson, I meet a couple of local cyclists out for a Sunday ride on Redington Road. I would have enjoyed this dirt road climb anyway but company makes it even better. Greg and Eric ride along keeping me entertained with stories of local bike racing and stray nudists. Thanks guys!
Day 4: Mt. Lemmon to Tucson Wash
Oracle Ridge hike a bike
Gigantic blunder today and I don’t mean forgetting to hit the “track” button on Spot. At least that spares me the utter disgrace of everyone seeing how far down the mountain I went on that bloody Control Road before I realize I am off route. Don’t know what I was thinking; probably a hot meal and cuppa joe rather than taking care of business. The unplanned side trip puts me back in Summerhaven when restaurants are opening so at least I get a hot meal out of the whole fiasco. What is one more hour when you've already wasted most of the morning?
Low point: stupid Control Road, which would eventually result in: the lights switching off inside the Oracle Inn Steakhouse right when I pull up to the door.
High point: mixed berry pie from the Iron Door.
Most interesting thing
A mile or two past Tiger Mine trail head, I’m looking for a good place to bed down out of the wind. I find a mostly flat spot big enough for a bivy on the side of a shallow draw that offers some protection. As I’m laying out my sleep kit, I hear a distant rustle and look up to see a dark form moving along the other side of the draw. With my headlamp on max all I can see is a pair of glowing eyes staring back. It looks bigger than a person but the shape and gait do not appear cat-like so that rules out mountain lion. Whew! But then I remember seeing black bear warning signs on Mount Lemmon the previous night and my mind starts racing. Holy crap! A bear! What do I do? Convince the bear you are not prey, is one thing I’ve read, because they usually don’t want to mess with people. So I start yelling, “Go away! Bad bear! Nothing to eat here!” as I wrack my brain thinking of anything I can use as a weapon id he comes round. Nothing. Nothing! I have nothing on me but a tiny multi-tool with a 1” inch blade. Damn it! Why didn’t I bring pepper spray?! Wait. Rocks. I can throw rocks. I scan the area but find only sand, cactus and a dry cow patty. Shit. Shit. SHIT!
I keep on hollering and repack my sleep kit as fast as I can without taking my eyes off the dark shape which has not moved. I get myself collected and beat a hasty retreat down the trail. I’m moving pretty good and after awhile I start wondering how far I need to ride before I feel safe enough to look for another camp site. That is about the time I round a blind turn and have to slam on the brakes to keep from colliding with a big, black... cow. That's right. I just totally freaked out and moved camp because of a stupid cow. Bloody hell; I am an idiot. No worries though. I guess it does get me further down the trail and in the end I find a much nicer spot to sleep in the bottom of a soft, sandy wash out of the wind. I wish I knew what kind of bird was calling as I drifted off; he was not at all unpleasant company.
Low point: stupid Control Road, which would eventually result in: the lights switching off inside the Oracle Inn Steakhouse right when I pull up to the door.
High point: mixed berry pie from the Iron Door.
Most interesting thing
A mile or two past Tiger Mine trail head, I’m looking for a good place to bed down out of the wind. I find a mostly flat spot big enough for a bivy on the side of a shallow draw that offers some protection. As I’m laying out my sleep kit, I hear a distant rustle and look up to see a dark form moving along the other side of the draw. With my headlamp on max all I can see is a pair of glowing eyes staring back. It looks bigger than a person but the shape and gait do not appear cat-like so that rules out mountain lion. Whew! But then I remember seeing black bear warning signs on Mount Lemmon the previous night and my mind starts racing. Holy crap! A bear! What do I do? Convince the bear you are not prey, is one thing I’ve read, because they usually don’t want to mess with people. So I start yelling, “Go away! Bad bear! Nothing to eat here!” as I wrack my brain thinking of anything I can use as a weapon id he comes round. Nothing. Nothing! I have nothing on me but a tiny multi-tool with a 1” inch blade. Damn it! Why didn’t I bring pepper spray?! Wait. Rocks. I can throw rocks. I scan the area but find only sand, cactus and a dry cow patty. Shit. Shit. SHIT!
I keep on hollering and repack my sleep kit as fast as I can without taking my eyes off the dark shape which has not moved. I get myself collected and beat a hasty retreat down the trail. I’m moving pretty good and after awhile I start wondering how far I need to ride before I feel safe enough to look for another camp site. That is about the time I round a blind turn and have to slam on the brakes to keep from colliding with a big, black... cow. That's right. I just totally freaked out and moved camp because of a stupid cow. Bloody hell; I am an idiot. No worries though. I guess it does get me further down the trail and in the end I find a much nicer spot to sleep in the bottom of a soft, sandy wash out of the wind. I wish I knew what kind of bird was calling as I drifted off; he was not at all unpleasant company.
Day 5 Tucson Wash to Tortilla Mountains
"Boulders Segment" in Tortilla Mts. Passage
Low point: endless hike a bike climbing in the Tortilla Mountains and giving up on my goal of Kelvin Bridge; also deep sandy trail and water rationing after Beehive Well. I had planned on getting water there, until I saw the note about the floater inside. ICK.
High point: finding Freeman Cache still stocked with jugs of fresh water and a patch of good shade by the old cabinet. Also fast and flat trails afterwards, the "boulders section" and meeting up with Rich several times in the the evening.
Most interesting thing:
I’m having a ball on a smooth and curvy section in the Black Hills. The trail is lined with an array of different cacti so I’m not quite going top speed. I’m lost in the flow when a sudden loud rattle and glimpse of movement yanks me back to the present. It takes a moment to register. OMG! That’s a freakin’ rattlesnake! I’m grateful my loaner Spot has the emergency insurance paid. That could have been a red button moment right there. Once I calm myself down I remember seeing another rider not so far behind earlier. And I’ve just left a pissed off poisonous snake right on trail. Crap. I turn around. The snake is still there but a big stick smacking the ground convinces him he needs to find a different place to hang out. He moves off slowly, hurling insults the whole time. I realize I probably rode by too fast to be in much danger of getting struck. But it’s good reminder that constant vigilance is required here. This may be a beautiful place but it comes with fangs!
High point: finding Freeman Cache still stocked with jugs of fresh water and a patch of good shade by the old cabinet. Also fast and flat trails afterwards, the "boulders section" and meeting up with Rich several times in the the evening.
Most interesting thing:
I’m having a ball on a smooth and curvy section in the Black Hills. The trail is lined with an array of different cacti so I’m not quite going top speed. I’m lost in the flow when a sudden loud rattle and glimpse of movement yanks me back to the present. It takes a moment to register. OMG! That’s a freakin’ rattlesnake! I’m grateful my loaner Spot has the emergency insurance paid. That could have been a red button moment right there. Once I calm myself down I remember seeing another rider not so far behind earlier. And I’ve just left a pissed off poisonous snake right on trail. Crap. I turn around. The snake is still there but a big stick smacking the ground convinces him he needs to find a different place to hang out. He moves off slowly, hurling insults the whole time. I realize I probably rode by too fast to be in much danger of getting struck. But it’s good reminder that constant vigilance is required here. This may be a beautiful place but it comes with fangs!