Remember Day One of Our Big De Anza Ride

Artist Rendering of Captain De Anza and His Expedition Departing From Tubac in 1775

[Special Note to Readers: This blog is a bit retrospective. In late March and early April, Brother Mark and I traveled about 600 km from Tubac, Arizona (just south of Tucson and just north of the Mexican border) Ocotillo, California. We posted much of this ride on our Facebook page, "Shelley Brothers Cycling Adventures." But I didn't get around, until now, to presenting a more comprehensive blogging of the trip. So here is Day One of the big ride.]

Day 1 March 24, 2012, Saturday, Tubac Presideo, Arizona.

6:20 am
Woke up feeling very well rested. Alarm set for 7:30, but I am first awake and up.
Mark prepared nice route chats/maps for each day and I have been reviewing them.

7 am
Made myself cup of free trade tea with cane sugar and coffee mate. I feel well rested and am excited about trip.

Very glad we took the time to pack last night. Our plan is to eat at local deli for breakfast. Need to buy energy drinks at first resupply station (convenience store). We have 103.5 km ahead of us today.

We have a special historical stop at Mission San Xavier, about half way to our destination of the day, the Red Roof Inn, North Tucson.

7:10 am
Mark starting to awaken. Better drink my tea.

7:22 am
Mark up and showering. I am getting on my biker super hero costume (Spandex). The games are about to begin. "May the odds be ever in our favor. "

8:30 am
Breakfast at Tubac deli of egg and cheese bagel, huge cinnamon bun , Dr Pepper.

9:50 am

Myself and Brother Mark about ready to ride

Observation Tower with Hi Tech Equipment operated by California Border Patrol

Officially hit trail out of Tubac. Perfect temp in low 70's F (20's C) with a slight tail wind, and slight downhill grade.

Traveling on Service Road paralleling Interstate Highway 19.

As Service Road ends we travel on wide shoulder on the Interstate itself.

When I heard we were going to be using these interstate shoulders periodically throughout our trip, I was a bit apprehensive.

They quickly, however, became a favorite riding surface. They are wide, smooth, and generally clear of debris.

(Often the Service Roads are very rough and bumpy to the point of being very hard on the bum and back and almost unnavigable. )

And even though cars and trucks are flying by us just 8 ft (2.5 meters) away, it is not a real problem.

10:50 am
We arrive in Green Valley, AZ.

(Someone was using a lot of imagination and wishful thinking when they named this place! It isn't very green and not much of a valley. )

We stop at McDonalds for shakes and cheeseburger snack. We're loving' it.

11:10 am

Mark by official sign indicating we are on De Anza's Trail

As we leave McD's, Mark says we now get to pay for our hour of gentle downhill. Have covered about 20 km this morning.

Our route now takes us away from the Interstate 19 and towards Mission San Xavier. Lots of uphill. As in a couple of hours. And lots of desert vegetation.

This part of the desert has significantly larger plants and bushes then what we will see as we head further north and west.

Much of the landscape we will cover in the days ahead appears barren. But not here. Many beautiful and alien like bushes and almost tree like plants grow here.

Along the two lane road we are steadily climbing are frequent signs warning that it is against the law to abandon your unwanted dog or cat here. Must be a significant problem to receive such attention.

As we approach the Mission we are rewarded with a long and wonderful downhill, no pedaling stretch of road that lasts for about 15 minutes. A wonderful rest for my legs and chance to cool off a bit.

The temp is now in the high 80's F (20's C).

1:30 pm

Mission San Xavier

 Arrived at mission San Xavier. Stopped for pictures. When de Anza arrived here in 1775, this would be his last contact with New Spain until he reached Mission San Gabriel (Los Angeles).

We ponder taking a tour of the Mission. But not for long. We are hot and tired and still a long way from our motel.

3:20 pm

Really Looks Like I Need A Cool Swim!

My bike feels strange. I look down. Flat tire.

Unfortunately Mark is somewhere ahead of me and out of sight. He has the tire repair kit on his bike.
His phone is turned off too. I just start walking believing he will eventually miss me.

This walking would not be a big deal. My bum is actually grateful. Except it is 45 deg C (90ish F) and I am getting way too hot.

(It is actually a little cooler riding at these temps. The self propulsion creates a cooling wind effect.)

4:10 pm

I've been walking for almost an hour.

Mark back tracks and finds me and we do a quick and easy tube replacement.

4:40 pm

We arrive at the Red Roof Inn, North Tucson, Arizona.

Mark checks us in.

We load our bikes in the elevator and head to our room.

5:00 pm
A highlight of our day. We dive into the motel pool and cool off.

Unfortunately I have a significant headache. Probably a combination of too much heat and lack of sleep related to my air travel and jet lag.

6:00 pm
An all American dining experience at Denny's Resturant.

8 pm
Resting. Icing knees. Connecting with home and the world through the magic of the Internet.

10 pm
Lights out. Restless sleep. Head hurts.