The Pedalfiles had kind of a scary bash today, up in that part of Oro Valley where no one remembered to build any bike lanes.
- Detail from Pima County bicycle trail map
The map shows bike lanes, paths, and trails in purple, green, and blue. That empty area in the center left? That's the place. We started on the south side of the park in the lower left, then rode way the hell north, then east, then a little south, eventually getting over to the upper right side of the map where we stopped for a beer check. But since our trails are A-to-A, we had to double back west through no-bicycle-man's-land again.
Most drivers moved a little left to give us room, but many didn't, and damn weren't they all going really fast! It was an enervating experience. There was a lot of church traffic, and there's nothing meaner than church people in a hurry. Here's what the roads in this part of town look like:
- Blonde in the Bush & Pick'n'Flick homing in on the beer
Still, it was a great ride, almost 19 miles in all, with hills, and when you weren't concentrating on hugging the white stripe on the edge of the road, the scenery was great.
- Hares leaving the beer check
The hares popped for a pitcher of beer at the check, which was uncommonly decent of them, because as we all know hares are the lowest form of life, much given to trickery and lies.
- An old school circle
With our bike hash, we've gotten used to starting and ending at pubs. It was great to get back to basics, starting and ending out in the desert. Circles are just better when you don't have to share them with outsiders.
In attendance (for the record, if anyone's counting): Cop-U-Late & Gumme (hares); Stick Me Anywhere, Bimbo by Day, Redheaded Woodpecker, Deep Dish, Flying Booger, Pick'n'Flick, Blonde in the Bush, Trailing Dick.
All in all a pretty fine bash. Everyone had a good time and no one got hurt. What more can you ask?
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