Only in Tucson
Chad and I combined forces on the river path, pre-dawn. We were set to take on yet another daunting challenge, one that I’ve never successfully completed.
Home->Summerhaven->Red Ridge->Charouleau Gap->Cherry Tank->50 Year Trail->Catalina SP->Home.
(Usually by the time you survive to the Gap, you bail and take pavement the rest of the way. Or at least I do)
80+ miles, 10k+ gain and some serious adventure riding in between.
River path sunrise I.
II
A cold sunrise, latent moisture in the air.
We rolled the El Tour dirt route, quiet and calm.
Time to self-shuttle from 2500′ to 8000′. Courtesy of the inclined plane:
We took some singletrack and found ice and snow. Doubts formed about the viability of either of our escape routes off the mountain.
photo by Chad Brown
First we hit the village of Summerhaven for a tallboy (Chad) and a microwave burrito (Scott).
“Can I ask you a question, and will you give me an honest answer?”
“Did you ride all the way up from the bottom?”
“Yes”
“You have my respect!!”
So says the occupants of a vehicle that honked at us on the way up. (?!)
Minor ice/snow and a few fallen trees stunted us at the beginning of our mammoth descent. All in a day’s work for a Catalina adventure rider.
photo by Chad Brown
A graveyard.
We’re going down there.
Chad nails a switchy. For a couple of enduro weenies, we were on fire out there.
The mega descent is done, now the real adventure begins.
There’s some good riding hidden between the nastiness. You need to keep your eyes open, though.
Did I mention the cat’s claw? Aiiieeee!!
Trail sniffer required. We were fooled by a couple false leads, but I think we rode more “trail” than any of my previous attempts. Even with perfect trail finding there’s nothing fast about this section.
The 800′ climb up to the Gap was a piece of cake. The speed was unreal descending and catching air on the ledgy 4wd road.
The sun is high, spirits likewise. I decide to try my Louis FR voodoo skills and take a shortcut to the Cherry Tank road.
It worked out just fine, but our tolerance for losing further pints of blood was low. Rather than take the next FR line we utilized available energy on a few hundred feet of unnecessary climbing.
At Cherry Tank it was time to continue the gluttonous descending. 10 miles of mostly downhill singletrack. Not as easy as it sounds, though.
Moonrise:
It was difficult to get my mind around suddenly being at Deer Camp and the 50 having ridden from my house, by way of Mount Lemmon. I’ve been driving too much to ride lately. To be here without driving up Oracle Road, without even glimpsing it, was an empowering thought.
Not today, says Chad.
Sunset from Catalina State Park, I:
II:
Out of light, it was a harrowing ride down Oracle Rd to the River Path. This was the only unpleasant part of the ride. There’s a huge shoulder, but cars are everywhere, entering and exiting the road.
My headlight faded just before I hit the river path. I was cursing myself at the lack preparation, but once away from the influence of carheads, I recalled the presence of the moon. Lights were unnecessary — just a faded one in case someone else approached.
I detoured to a pay phone to see if Paula wanted to meet me on the path to spin home. She brought our commuter with its mega-HID-light and blinkies. It was still in the 60’s when we arrived home at ~8pm.
Stats:
83 miles
11,100′ gain
13:40 on the bike, 12 hours moving time
Another flawlessly executed and fun-as-heck ride with Mr. Brown. No big mechanicals, crashes or mishaps. We kept it steady throughout. Having someone to do this kind of thing with, and do it well, is a rare thing. Thanks for the ride, Chad. Not so sure it was the best prep for the 24 for ya, but what’s life for?
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February 8th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
No, thank you Scott. The ride is as only good as the company, and you are top-notch to ride with.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Poor prep for OP is a tradition!
Nice job guys, and thanks for letting us in. I’ll miss not having a RATS on my birthday this year.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
You guys are studs. Period.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Very nice ride yo! And great pictures to accompany the story.
I have to say, for now at least, it’s not only in Tucson. We’ve had great riding weather this winter. Just a tad more snow in places and a bit cooler but awesome for the most part. Of course that could change in a hurry
Ed
February 9th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Ed — I never explained the title, but it was in reference to the big hill that’s rideable from town and has singletrack dropping off it. Pretty rare to be able to ride something like that in Feb.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:56 am
What a trek !
I’ve heard about Mr.Brown’s love of day-long endurance and travel by self-propelled leg strength but this is amazing to see the pictures, from sunrise to sunset.
May you both enjoy many more journeys under the watchful eye of the God who made such beauty.
Sinceramente – david
February 10th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Ugh. I’m tired just from reading. Dude’s craazay.
February 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Damn. Manimals.
Nice ride guys, gorgeous scenery & photos.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Just came across this today and impressed but not surprised. Awesome ride, guys… and love the photos. Well don!
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
[...] about the Red Ridge trail. A large crew were shuttling, Max was going to ride from town, much like Chad and I did a few months back. With temps still reaching for 100 degrees I didn’t much like either of [...]
May 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
[...] about the Red Ridge trail. A large crew were shuttling, Max was going to ride from town, much like Chad and I did a few months back. With temps still reaching for 100 degrees I didn’t much like either of those [...]
September 10th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Only in Tucson…..word