Scottsdale Mountain / Hummingbird training loop. For a more detailed look at Scottsdale Mountain, see this mountain pose page.
I gots to get some climbing in, if I want to have any chance of finishing Death Valley, so off I went this fine Saturday morning. I chose to ride solo, being slower than the slowest of tortoises. I simply can’t hang with anyone right now.
I sauntered off to Scottsdale Mountain by me lonesomes. Now, it’s been over a year since I’ve ventured all the way up this climb. I hunkered down into a 30×27 granny low gear and crawled up the 8-12% slopes, feeling very far removed from the Team Evergreen Triple Bypass ride I did in Colorado, almost a year ago.
Early morning scenery looking southeast from Scottsdale Mountain.
On the way down, I stopped to take some pictures, (like the above, and more of which can be seen here), and who do I see coming up the climb? None other than Tommy C. from the Los Freeloaders group. I said “hi” and continued on down, only to run into another Tom — Tommy O. Turns out, the Los Freeloaders were out on this mountain today, and more of the group were on the way up.
Nancy tackles the steep stuff. She’s a funny character. For years I tried to get her and the others to do this climb, and finally after much persuading, one day she gave in. Now, she insists on going up to the top, every time we come this way.
More Los Freeloader fools on their way up. Won’t they ever learn? It will never stop hurting! No matter how in shape you get!
The next generation huffing and puffing up the road. That’ll teach them to listen to mom and dad.
Tommy O. shows off his cornering skills.
Larkspur is apparently the place to be on Saturday morning.
At the 128th St regroup point. Seems the Los Freeloaders have been infiltrated by that “other” club, the Wheezer Geezer’s.
On the way home, after parting ways with the Los Freeloaders, I tacked on a climb up Hummingbird Steepside (from the east), just to see what my legs would do. Funny how I can never get anyone else to come with me. Why is that?
Along North Foothills Pkwy, after having climbed Hummingbird, and pedaling towards the moon.
Birds picking off the last of the saguaro cactus fruit for the season.
The weather was perfect today, temps 74-90, the air dry, the sky sunny. A great day to be out and about.
