The bike ride this week is again a little abbreviated as I ended up spending 3 hours today working on a different bike related issue.  I was called by the developer of Saguaro Ranch about a conflict between some owners and mountain bikers on the Como Trail off of Moore Road.  This has been ongoing and I went to meet with the principals. My intent was to find some middle ground.

Some days it goes your way, and some days it does not. They are upset with the disrespectful riders who are cutting across their property. They are concerned someone will be injured on their property and sue them. As I listened to their grievances I felt sick to my stomach. If someone was on my property and told me to F^&K off, I think I’d be certain to shut off their access as well. They even went into a bike shop to talk about it and were told to get The F out of my shop and that the road was not Private. Today, our conversation was very civil, no yelling, no raised vices, just them expressing how they feel and Hank Rowe of SDMB, Vernie Aikins of TORCA and I listening. We tried to offer some compromises, but they were pretty clear on not wanting people using their private road any more. This is so hard for me to write. I do everything I can for the cycling community and hate coming out of a meeting without getting what I want for bikes.

As Todd Sadow says before every Epic Race, Don’t be THAT GUY. Unfortunately, some of us were THAT GUY and now the rest of have lost access. If you are riding in the Tortolitas use The Rancho Vistoso entrance.

So can this relationship be restored? I don’t think so, but we do have an option. Part of the agreement with Saguaro Ranch to the West, near Thornydale, is to build an access trail. They will do this as soon as two other developers agree to do their sections that lead up to Saguaro Ranch. Here’s the rub, those properties are not developed yet and it is going to need some serious political and community efforts to move this along. So, we can put one more item on my to do list. Be sure I’m looking for help on this project. Who is willing to help?

Damion

I DID NOT CONFIRM EVERY TIME, but did get in tounch wihn most, THIS WEEK FOR THE REOCCURING RIDES.  I TRY AND GIVE CONTACT INFO SO YOU CAN CHECK ON THE RIDES.

REOCCURING WEEKLY RIDES

ALL OF THE WEBSITES I CHECK FOR THE RIDES ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.  DUE TO OTHER ADVOCACY RELATED WORK, AND NEEDING TO ADDRESS MY REAL JOB, REAL ESTATE, I HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

EVENTS

TIMED RIDES aka MOTIVATION aka RACES and Big Rides

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES – WANT BETTER BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE? GET INVOLVED.  Feel free to e-mail damion@damionalexander.com if you want to get involved in the Velodrome Committee, CASA- Cycling Advocates of Southern Arizona, GABA – Greater Arizona Bicycle Association, Sonoran Desert Mountain Bike SDMB, Tucson Off Road Cyclist & Activists TORCA, El Grupo Youth Cycling, Tu Nidito Ride For A Child.  Added bonus, I’ll be there and the pictures are free;-)

This list is a major time commitment and it is my pleasure to put it together.  All I ask in return for the list is that you remember I’m A REALTOR.  If you have a relationship with another REALTOR, I love loyalty and respect those relationships.  However, if not, or if you need a second opinion, Please keep me in mind.  Many agents spend money advertising for new business, others sit open houses or cold call.  My business is based on referrals from past clients and friends.  The less time I have to do traditional prospecting the more I can do for the cycling community.  For example: this list.

THIS LIST IS PROVIDED AT A COURTESY OF THE DAMION ALEXANDER TEAM.  THIS LIST IS DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT NOT GUARANTEED.  WHEN POSSIBLE, CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE GROUP RIDERS ARE PROVIDED.  TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DOUBLE CHECK OR GO TO THE RIDE AND IF NO ONE IS THERE, GO RIDE BY YOURSELD.

RIDE AND EVENT DISCLAIMER

These rides are not mine.  I am only sharing the data.  The Damion Alexander Team  cannot guarantee anybody’s safety.  There are unknown and unforeseen potential hazards in every ride so you should  pay attention and take reasonable precautions.  I always use a helmet.  I think that Helmets are required when riding.  If you choose to listen to music during rides you should only use the headset in the right ear and keep the headset out of the left ear. Better yet, buy a FarEnd Gear earbud.  Communication is essential during all rides and having the ability to hear is a part of your responsibility to others.  Please also ride within your limitations. You are  not racing the Tour de France.  If you see someone  that is  not riding within their limitations or are becoming a hazard to others we should politely bring this to their your attention  Dothis for your and everybody’s safety.

Also, it is everybody’s responsibility to follow all traffic laws.  We are not lemmings.  Just because somebody does something foolish does not mean you need to follow.  Use your head and enjoy your ride.

THE DAMION ALEXANDER TEAM, DAMION ALEXANDER, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO THIS LIST SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY THAT OCCURS ON THSES RIDES.  EVERY PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AROUND THEM

WHERE DO ALL THE RIDES COME FROM?  These links and shops and clubs and teams and facebook and YOU.  See a ride that is missing.  Please let me know  Damion@DamionAlexadner.com.  Thanks

Road

*Vistoso Cyclist http://vistosocyclists.weebly.com/road-biking.html

Cactus Cycling http://www.cactuscycling.org/schedule.php

Greater Arizona Bicycle Association GABA-  http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/203149392/

*Tucson Tri Girls https://www.facebook.com/groups/ttgandfriends/   http://www.tucsontrigirls.org/index.php/calendar

Zona Cyclist https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zona-Cycling/186457201423794

JKG Strava – https://www.facebook.com/groups/579397565447522/?fref=ts

U of A Cycling http://uacycling.com/

Velo Vets  Phonehttp://www.azvelovets.org/: 520-465-5186

Tuesday Night Ride https://www.facebook.com/groups/5833629539/

Bicycle Commuters of Tucson https://www.facebook.com/groups/160142187481277/

Mountain Bike

Tucson Offroad Cyclists and Activists TORCA http://torca.org/   www.facebook.com/events/

Southern Arizona Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA) www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists  https://www.facebook.com/SDMB.org   http://www.sdmb.org

Tucson Mountain Bike Addicts https://www.facebook.com/TucsonMTBAddicts \

Our MTB Rides – Dave Slagle Slaglesphone@live.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourmtbrides/385655391621830/?notif_t=group_activity

Old Pueblo Mountain Bike – Todd Rasmussen 520-256-1340   https://www.facebook.com/groups/203787656312279/?fref=ts

RBAR – Jesus Friaa 520-271-3776

Shop Rides

Performance Bicycles Speedway Tucson – Pbs074@performaneinc.com

(520) 327-3232‎ http://www.meetup.com/Performance-Speedway-MeetNRide/events/

Performance Bicycles Broadway –  pbs054@performanceinc.com 520-296-4715

Fairwheel Bikes https://fairwheelbikes.com/tucson-arizona-location-ezp-1.html#rides  (520) 884-9018

Grasky Endurance Coaching  www.graskyendurance.com/weekly-workouts.html

Broadway Bicycles

Bicycle Ranch Tucson – http://bicycleranch.com/tucson-rides/ (  520-219-4311

Ben’s Bikes http://www.bensbikestucson.com/  520-574-2453

Recumbent

Tucson Recumbent Cyclists  https://www.facebook.com/groups/TucsonRC/?fref=ts

TBC Circuit Race Part one.

Lets get this party started.  The early start.  There are nearly 2000 images to get through from the circuit race.  Today I need to prospect for new business for my real estate team.  However, I’d rather save the time and focus on the photos, for you.  So, send me a referral today and I can justify rocking through all the images.  Otherwise, I’m going to need to focus on my real job and leave the hobby for next week.

These photos are a major time commitment and it is my pleasure to take the photos and share them with you. All I ask in return for the photos is that you remember I’m A REALTOR. If you have a relationship with another REALTOR, I love loyalty and respect those relationships. However, if not, or if you need a second opinion, Please keep me in mind. Many agents spend money advertising for new business, others sit open houses or cold call. My business is based on referrals from past clients and friends. The less time I have to do traditional prospecting the more I can do for the cycling community. For example: these photo albums. THANKS!!!

OPMTB

Dave Slagle Slaglesphone@live.com

Todd Rasmussen 520-256-1340

http://www.cactuscycling.org/schedule.php

Tucson Mountain Bike Addicts : www.facebook.com/TucsonMTBAddicts?fref=ts

GABA-  http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/203149392/

TORCA www.facebook.com/events/

Southern Arizona Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA) has lots of rides organized and posted on Meetup.com or  www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association

https://www.facebook.com/SDMB.org

There is also the Zona bike rides.  See facebook page for details.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zona-Cycling/186457201423794

BAC second Wednesdays at himmel

Recumbants

Syncardia

The Damion Alexander Team Presents

The Weekly Bike Ride List

To receive the list text,call or e-mail

Damion@DamionAlexander.com

520-977-LONG (5664)

Download your Free home search app.

http://longrealtyapp.com/damionalexander

I’d like to nominate Jim Davis for Bike Commuter of the year.  Jim works for Tucson Fire Dept.  A few years back, the fire chief told all the firemen that they were going to need to put in some time of the work day into being physically fit.  I think this was directed at more of the desk jockeys/admin and others.  Jim took up cycling at that time.  What started as a mandate from work has turned into a full blown bike obsession.  Not only is Jim communing every day, but he is also racing his bike, and has become a known and welcomed face in that community.   I think that is what makes his story so special(even if it is common).  One discipline, like commuting, can lead to a bike obsessed life.  Last year Jim logged over 12,000 miles.

In addition to riding, Jim is one of the friendliest and outgoing people I’ve ever met while riding.  Every day I come across Jim on the Bike he has a huge smile, endless encouragement for everyone he sees, and my day is simply better.

I’d also like to mention that Jim is African American.  This is important as minorities are way under represented in the cycling community and we need to recognize those that are riding.  This will encourage others to get on their bikes and ride.

I go to a few hundred bike rides and events every year.  At all of these events, there is one person I see more than any other.  This is Alisa Payne Neave.  Many people might not notice her, but she is always doing something to help.  She is often the first there and the one of the last to leave.  She has been active in getting her own kids on bikes, riding with her husband, Arnold.  She rides on the road, she rides on the MTB.  She has helped with Look Save a Life, On the news for Silverbell Road about the cars driving in the bike lanes,  Camped out for the youth ride on the AZ Trail.