I went for a ride with Tucson Recumbent Cyclists today. First, I rode down to meet up with Donnie and Geo at Valencia to make it a longer ride. Then we rode up to the meeting point for the TRC ride. We encountered Randy Jardee​ about three miles into it. He had arrived at the meeting place early and decided to ride down and meet us part way.
We joined up with the remainder of the group at Michael Perry Park. I met several new people -- and like is often the case, I can't remember names well.
We rode north to Speedway then back to the park. The group had discussed riding all the way south to Sellarole and then back, however, there were a couple of mechanical issues that put it too late (i.e., too hot) to do this. First, the support for my upper chain tube broke and I had to stop and Gerry-rig a work-around. A few stayed with me with the thought we could catch up with the rest of the group when I had it fixed. However, shortly after we got going again, we ran into the rest of the group who had stopped because of a flat tire on Rona's trike. Donnie and Geo took to fixing the flat and removing the myriad of thorns and glass that had been embedded in the tire.
After the group got back to the park and split up, Donnie, Geo, Randy, and I rode done to Valencia where Donnie and Geo had parked. Then Randy and I rode back up to Broadway and stopped at https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Baguette-Parisienne/115605395126304 and got some pastries.
After we had eaten, we went over to Subway and refilled our water bottles and headed our separate ways to home. Randy headed west, generally downhill and with a tailwind. I headed east, uphill and with a significant head wind. By the time I was passing Magee Middle School, the wind was taking its toll and I was slowing down and working to make a good pace. I noticed the sun beating down on me, the stiff wind in my face and pressing against my body, and the incline of the road. I worked to fall into my survive to home pace. East of Houghton where the road turns up, I was very slow and was feeling the effects of the previous 43 miles coupled with the 4% gradient climb. Then I turned south on Ridgeside and headed up the 6% gradient climb. I just settled into third gear and concentrated on surviving. I felt the sun heating up my black cycling shorts and it felt like it was sitting in front of a roaring campfire.
The bonk at the end notwithstanding, I really enjoyed this ride. I loved the company and the social opportunities. I enjoyed meeting the new people and beginning the development of a friendship.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN RIDING A BIKE/TRIKE WITH AWESOME COMPANY!?