I'm back...

Just got back from the Arizona trip with the Silver guys.

3 full days and 2 half days of 80 degrees, light to no wind, plenty of long steady hills, and good times.

The fun started early as the alarm failed to go off at the 3:15am preset time. Luckily, I happended to wake at 3:35am and glanced at the clock to realize I was off to a late start. But I still managed to get to Rob's at 4:50am (so not too late).

We flew out early (6:50am) on Wednesday. We were all on the same plane going out and coming back, so departure times and gates were all the same for everyone. Got down there around 10:00 am local time, picked up the rental van and made our way to the house.

All of our bikes were delivered to the house, except for Pat's because he shipped it a bit later. We got a call from Jim, so we then had to run and get Pat's bike at the house rental office. We then stopped for a quick lunch and to grab a few groceries.

Then we hurried to get out for the first ride in short sleeves.

We headed for an out and back route and then roamed around the neighborhood for awhile. About 45 miles.

Thursday was a full day of riding, to a nice quiet National Park area, then on to Fountain Hills and back past the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale location. About 75 miles.

Friday was hill workout day, as we headed for Bartlett Lake Recreation Area. About 20 miles one way to the lake. Great climbing and descents, but mostly descents on the way to the lake. Then climbing back out is where the fun starts. Several 4 to 5 mile steady uphills with a few areas kicking up to make it interesting. Several of us (foolishly) decided to do it twice. Right around 85 miles with over 8000 ft. of vertical climbing for the day.

Saturday was a bit more relaxed as we followed Dan all over the place. I'm not sure which direction we were heading, but eventually the roads started to turn to gravel on us, so we did several out and backs until we finally ended up back at the house. Some climbing, but no leg-breakers. Chaulk up another 75 miles or so.

For Sunday, we got in another half day (an out and back and some neighborhood roaming, a couple of short, steep climbs mixed in to make it fun), then we packed the bikes, headed for Fedex, and then back to the airport for the flight home.

We landed at MSP around 11:30pm and from there we went back to Rob's, where I had parked the car. I got back to Rochester around 1:30am.

A great time, great friends, great weather, and great riding.

I'll try to post some pictures here shortly.