PAC Tour Desert Camp Day 1 - Tucson to Nogales

This first day of Desert Camp proved to be pretty tough, with 15-20 mph headwinds for 70 of the 80 miles.  No rain, but the wind and overcast skies kept the temperature in the 60s most of the day.

After passing by the San Xavier Mission as we rode south out of Tucson, we faced a 10 or 12 mile steady climb of 2% grade - the kind of climb where the road looks pretty level but your legs tell you otherwise.

I rode all day with Mike H from Indiana, who would have been on the Northern Transcon last summer, but was taken out by a pit bull two weeks before the tour.  The dog charged out so fast it knocked Mike off his bike and this resulted in a broken collarbone, cracked ribs, and a fractured sternum.  Mike rode strong so he has done well in his recovery.

There was one section of about 4 miles where we enjoyed a great tailwind that pushed us along at 25 mph, but the rest of the day was spent fighting a relentless headwind, as well as dealing with some rolling terrain.

Tomorrow we head northeast to Sierra Vista (93 miles), where we will spend four nights and ride different routes each day.

Getting ready to leave Tucson hotel

San Xavier Mission

First rest stop at 21 miles

Crew member Susie S checked off riders as they arrived at rest stops

Elizabeth and Mike enjoy the one tailwind section

Mexican poppies