2019 Desert Camp - Bisbee to Tucson

The final day of this week's AZ Desert Camp more than compensated for the brutal headwinds of two days ago.  Everything was moved up 45 minutes in the morning in order to give riders time to pack bikes at the finish.  We started out with a tough climb out of Bisbee over Mule Pass (reverse direction from yesterday's finish).  At the summit, a long and fast descent awaited.

For virtually the entire ride we were blessed with a strong 25 mph tailwind.  This made the ride fast and fun.  We traveled on the shoulder of I-10 for several miles, but that was preferable to the very rough frontage road.

In spite of missing out on the climb to Chiricahua Monument (due to bad weather), this week has been both challenging and enjoyable.  Thanks to the PAC Tour crew for keeping things flowing smoothly and efficiently.

Desert mural near Benson AZ

A few of the bikes on the tour

I had to stop and wait for this long freight train to pass

The Julian Wash Greenway near Tucson

Looking back on the Julian Wash Greenway.  This was a pleasant way to finish up the tour.

2019 Desert Camp - Elfrida

Relief in the form of low winds and clear skies was our lot today.  What a pleasure to ride the 7 mile downhill this morning, remembering what a struggle it was to climb it against a full on 30 mph headwind yesterday afternoon.

We are staying two nights in Bisbee AZ, so today's route was an 80 mile loop that included the small town of Elfrida, the tiny ghost town of Gleeson, historic Tombstone, and then a tough climb up Mule Pass before descending into Bisbee.

Riding along Gleeson Rd provided a wonderful view of the Dragoon Mountains (after climbing a gentle grade for several miles).

I suffered one flat tire just at the start of Mule Pass.  Never could find the culprit (glass shard, retread wire, tack, goat head, etc.), but the replacement tube held for the final 7 miles to the finish.  Once I arrived at the "repair area" (Lon's trailer with racks and cleaning/bike repair materials), I went ahead and installed a new tire.  The old one probably had five or six thousand miles on it.

The ghost town of Gleeson AZ

Relic from Gleeson's past

Gleeson jail

View from Gleeson Rd

Dragoon Mountains

Historic area of Tombstone AZ

Concrete statue covered in copper, erected in 1935 in Bisbee to honor copper miners

2019 Desert Camp - Willcox to Bisbee AZ

Yesterday's rain had mostly passed by this morning, although there were still wet streets and some large puddles to avoid as we left Willcox.  The route was a total of around 77 miles, and all but about 4 miles of it was marked by a 30 mph headwind or crosswind.  This made the day very difficult for everyone.  I took a van lift ("bump") from mile 47 to the lunch stop at mile 62.  The final 15 miles were a real challenge, and I was forced to use my lowest gear (normally reserved for steep mountain climbs) on some flat terrain due to the wind.

We spent the day dodging tumbleweeds and trying to keep going in a reasonably straight line.

A couple of miles from the end is a viewing area for the old Lavender Open Pit Mine, which produced copper ore.

This view does not show how much I often had to lean into the wind to keep from getting blown into the traffic lane

Willcox to Bisbee is mostly flat, but we had very strong winds that made riding difficult

2019 Desert Camp - a washout day

Today was supposed to be the high point (literally and figuratively) of Chiricahua Challenge week.  However, a heavy storm front moved in overnight and brought a lot of rain.  Coupled with temperatures in the 40s F, it was a recipe for taking a pass on riding.  Fortunately we are spending two days in Willcox so there was not a need to get to a new motel.

At breakfast Lon announced that conditions were too hazardous to start at 7:30 (heavy rain and local flooding), but an abbreviated 50 mile round trip ride could start at 11 with a supported lunch stop at the turnaround.  Only about half a dozen riders took up this offer (still cold and light rain at 11), and one of them took a ride back in the van from lunch.

Retta Deane and I, along with crew member Wayne, left at 8 am to drive to the top, as we had never been to Chiricahua.  Roads in town had a lot of water - some areas with about 6 or 8 inches of water.  Not enough to prevent SLOW, careful driving, but I wouldn't want to ride a bike through them.

A wet cold morning - not what we expected in southern AZ

We made this trip to come to Chiricahua, even if it had to be by motor vehicle

Unusual and impressive rock formations

2019 Desert Camp - Tombstone to Willcox

We enjoyed a respite from yesterday's battering headwinds, with most of today's 71 mile route getting a "kick" from tailwinds.  It was chilly again at the start, and there was a little bit of moisture from last night's rain, but as the day progressed things warmed up with plenty of sunshine.

A couple of extended sections on the shoulder of Interstate 10, one of which had a long climb, added some variety.  Due to the wide shoulders, riding on the interstate is not as stressful or hair raising as might be expected.  The large semi trailers going by at 75 mph do not cause a problem, as the wind turbulence is concentrated behind the trailer, not to the side.  Anyone who has driven a small car behind a semi trailer can confirm this.

It is raining now, and more rain with thunderstorms is supposed to last until 11 am tomorrow.  The climb up to the Chiricahua Monument may be out, but at least the rain has knocked down the heavy dust storm of this afternoon.

Passed through the small community of Dragoon AZ

Scenery around Dragoon

Small farm outside Dragoon

Post ride bike cleanup at the motel in Willcox

Len has the only recumbent on this tour

2019 Desert Camp - Chiricahua Challenge

Following a safe trip to Tucson AZ from NC, Retta Deane and I are starting our second Desert Camp week with PAC Tour.  We did the first of two century weeks in 2017, so signed up for a different week this time -Chiricahua Challenge. 

We arrived a day early to allow me time to ride a 200K brevet for March.  Just three of us went on the brevet, which started out as a 50 mile loop directly south of Tucson, then headed northwest through the Saguaro National Park for a 75 mile loop.

The actual Desert Camp week began with a ride from Tucson to Tombstone (home of the OK Corral).  With temperatures on the chilly side, long sleeves were the norm.  Many miles of tough headwinds made the ride a challenge.  Eleven miles were on the shoulder of I-10, but the shoulder pavement is good and reasonably clear of debris.

Next stop is Willcox, which will serve as the base for the actual climb to the Chiricahua National Monument.

Ready to start Silverbell 200K

RBA Susan N giving final instructions

A successful finish of the Silverbell 200K

Veteran crew member Barb at the rest stop just before getting on I-10

This long freight train was traveling parallel to I-10

View from our motel in Tombstone

The Landmark Lookout Lodge provides a view of the Dragoon Mountains