Warmth was what we were looking for when we headed to Tucson and although we started many of our rides with arm and leg warmers, we enjoyed sunshine and 60+ temps for most of our miles.  Speaking of miles, we clocked around 250 during our 7 rides.  We were happy with our numbers until the last day of our trip, when we met a charming tandem couple who rides ultra distances and racks up our ANNUAL total about every two months…

Although never alone on a tandem, we “solo-ed” only on our first and last rides. Lucky us, we had terrific company on our adventures.  Our favorite travel companions, Mitzi and John, packed up their trusty Seven Tandem and flew to meet us and share an Air B&B for a week.

Our second ride was with a local couple we met on our AIT Western Rockies tour last August.  Tucson is the home to many intricate, colorful and impressive murals. Steve and Linda led us on a sight-seeing tour of murals. It was great to spend some time catching up and enjoying the environs.

Next up was a ride with Carol and Tom (we met them in Ventura last fall) and their local friends.  Four tandems rode to one of our favorite bakeries (Estrella) and a climb for three of the bikes up the “A Mountain”.  Funny story, Tom and Carol went to college in Tucson and met at U of A but had NEVER before climbed up to the A.  We are so glad we helped them check something off their bucket list! We concluded our day with lunch at our second bakery which makes for a most excellent day.

A day off the bike with a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was thoroughly enjoyable.  The museum and gardens are impressive and a terrific way to spend a day. Seemingly countless varieties of cacti, some wildlife and views that just don’t quit. The only disappointment was that it wasn’t a bird demo day.

We capped off our rest day with a visit to The Crooked Tooth Brewery and then dinner at El Charro Cafe, the oldest Mexican Restaurant in Tucson (better make a reservation).

We got to use our Senior pass at Saguaro National Park (east) We climbed up to the park, did the 8-mile loop ride and then enjoyed many miles of downhill on the way back home.

Our next ride was to Catalina State Park. While on Coast to Coast (C2C) with Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers we camped here and enjoyed our first rest day and a visit from sister Stacie. The plentiful mesquite trees, saguaros and stunning views of the Santa Catalina Mountains were worth the trip.

Caren and Mike were supposed to join us for our last ride with Mitzi and John. Unfortunately Mike was under the weather and we were sad to miss them on our visit to Tucson. We wore AIT jerseys in their honor and enjoyed the newer part of the trail that goes towards Marana.

The ride wrapped with a visit to Amy’s Donuts! This shop boasts at least ninety varieties of donuts and donut murals (of course).

Some rain went through the area (no visible rainbows) and the weather turned colder when Mitzi and John left, taking the warmth with them. Our last ride had us back in warmers and vests and even though the clouds were beautiful, we were wishing the sun would stay out.

Riding all done, we packed up and met Stacie for lunch in Casa Grande, the home of Lucid Motors.

Next stop: Yuma, where Arizona, California and Mexico all come together. Downtown Yuma is surprisingly nice, and the beer was good. After an overnight stay, we get back in the car for the return to our “home” base in Southern California.

Our next post will feature fun in the sun (hopefully) from Orange County, CA.

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