Phoenix area riders?

[JanT]

Mother's Day was very restful. In keeping with a family-type day, I convinced my husband to go on a short ride on the bike paths with me. It's an understatement to say he's not quite the biking fanatic I am, but he does like to get out occasionally on weekends for short rides when there is not too much traffic. I'll need the couple weeks after school gets out to get some of my conditioning back. It's been a hectic year. I teach special education in the Peoria School District, and my self-contained class has been bumped around the schools in recent years. The district is growing faster than they can build schools, so special ed classes get moved to make room for the regular classes. I'm packing up my classroom again, getting ready to move to Zuni Hills, 107th Av. and Williams, which is about a mile or so south of Happy Valley Road.

I used to run regularly, even though I stopped racing, until this year. My knees have been bugging me, but I may start up again with just 2.5-4 milers. We recently bought a golden retriever, and I take her for nightly walk/jogs. As she grows, I hope to do all jogging for our 2.5 mile course. We'll see how the knees hold up. I don't want to mess them up for riding!

It's about time I take that cute little puppy out for our evening exercise. I'm glad you posted; I'd been thinking of doing the same, but was waiting for summer. I wonder where all the other Phoenix women riders are?! I know they must be around, but do they get online? I thought you'd get more responses.

[mommelisa]

Jan:

We decided not to go to the Grand Canyon this weekend. My hubby isn't feeling well and I'd rather he not take the chance of getting down into the canyon and not being able to get back out!!

Any chance you might want to ride Saturday early?

Melisa

[JanT]

That sounds good to me! I haven't been riding much lately, due to long work days and a bad cold, but I think I'm up to a 2-3 hour outing. What did you have in mind?

[mommelisa]

Anytime Saturday is good for me - the earlier the better. Do you want to meet somewhere on your side of town? I have a couple of areas to ride around here, but nothing that will give us 2 to 3 hours where we don't have to cover the same ground.

[JanT]

One place I've ridden that may be close to midway for us both is to park at the Reach 11 trailhead on Cave Creek Road, just north of the 101. You can ride north on Cave Creek Road, ride through Carefree, and continue east past Pima. I've always turned around where the road becomes one lane, which makes for about a 35 mile out/back. It's pretty much slight uphill going out, so the return is easier. We could extend it if we wanted by continuing east on Cave Creek towards Barlett, or just doing some exploring.

I also ride the Az. canal, which is traffic free. We could meet at Granada Park and ride west to 75th Av and back. Granada Park: 6505 N. 20th St., north of Maryland Ave., Phoenix. (take 20th St. south from Glendale Ave., or 18th St. north from Bethany Home Rd. I don't have a true mileage read on that, but I'd guess it's about also 35 miles or so.

Most of the rides I've done are out-backs, because there aren't alot of bike-friendly roads here on the west side. Many of our bike lanes go a mile or two and then stop. I'm still chicken when it comes to riding by myself without a bike lane. With company, your more visible and it's not so scary.

I don't know which is closer to you or which kind of ride you'd prefer. I'd like to start early, as in 5:30 or 6. If that seems to early for you, given a drive, I'd be willing to drive east your way. It's supposed to be our first 100 degree day on Saturday!

I'm going to bed, but I'll check tomorrow morning for your reply, and again around 6 when I get home. I'm psyched!
Jan.

[JanT]

Thanks for a great ride, Melisa! The hills at the end about did me in, but I enjoyed the scenery in Scottsdale. Let me know when you're ready to ride in June. I think you'd like the Cave Creek Road (Sonoran Bikeway) ride.

[mommelisa]

The hills at the end about did me in, but I enjoyed the scenery in Scottsdale.

I think you did great! That McDowell Moutain hill is deceiving, I think the backside is much harder than the front side. I hope you had a big diet Pepsi when you got home, you earned it!

Thank YOU for coming all the way to my house! I promise next time, I'm putting the shoes in the car!

I get back from Florida on the 31st, so let me know if you think you want to join the ride on the 2nd with the racelab group, and maybe we can ride the 4th?

Thanks again, Jan, it was really great to meet you!

[cathy]

Hi.
It's getting quite toastie in AZ. You two should check out some rides here in Prescott. www.prescottcycling.org
We have a great group of riders (men and women) and some awesome rides. Weekend rides are typically posted one week prior. If you don't see anything feel free to message me. I'm out nearly every weekend.

Cathy