Well,

I am on my annual “trip away” in Arizona. Staying at our little hide-away in the southern desert and riding my bike. A lot.

Ostensibly, the reason for this trip, annually, is the Tour de Scottsdale held on the first weekend of October annually.

I sort of lucked out this year and find myself here for a full 2 weeks, by myself. I am sorely lacking in my Continuing Education hours for this year, work and life tend to get in the way, but as luck would have it there is a conference being held in Scottsdale next weekend that qualifies for my CE hours, so ........................

In an attempt to atone, I offer up herewith, an actual weekend’s worth of ride reports.

I flew down from the Great White North ( referred to by my erstwhile “friends” as the GWN) on the 1st of the month, Thursday. A friend met me at the airport and drove me home, a couple of beers later he left me here, to go grocery shopping and spend an exciting evening riding the rollers in the garage.

Friday, up early, and head out on the bike to try and get a gauge of exactly how badly my fitness has fallen off. I had not really been on a bike in any way since August so this was going to be interesting.

My neighbours, on both sides here in Arizona are from Seattle - they give me no end of grief over the Canadian Flag on the bike I keep here, all in good fun, but I always make sure to keep that side of the bike visible ...........



A beautiful Arizona morning, heading out into the desert, the plan is to go to the end of the pavement.



My normal view ..........

My favourite view .......



I always know I’m “home” when I see this guy, Always looks like he’s saluting my return.



Someone should name a brewery after those ......... oh wait ...................





Fat Rolling Orange .........





The conclusion at the end of Friday’s ride?

Loss of fitness is real, and has afflicted yours truly, greatly.

My planned target for Sunday’s ride is now to finish by sundown.


Maybe the pics will help??