Monthly Archives: December 2015

Ride List Dec 26- Jan 2 2016

Happy Holidays.

The last ride list of the year.  I was not perfect, but got out over 40 lists in 2015.  Many are not posted here, but sent through email.  Want on the list?  Email Damion@DamionAlexander.com and put “Ride List” in the subject

 

I DID NOT CONFIRM EVERY TIME, but did get in touch with most of the ride leaders and shops.  You should always verify times before you head out and remember these ride times are when the ride leaves.  Please show up as early as needed to make sure you are ready to roll out at the time posted.

REOCCURING WEEKLY RIDES

What Where When Distance/Time Speed Contact
 
Cyclocross Fort Lowell Park Monday

6:30AM

Some pre work riding, jumping obstacles,beer, donuts, coffee, laps on the grass and dirt. https://www.facebook.com/groups/671108262985165/
U of A Cycling Monday Mosey Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Monday

7:30AM

1-1.5 hours Max 20 miles How fast can a mosey be? http://uacycling.com/

 

 

Ben’s Bike MTB Meet at shop Monday

6:00 PM

1-2 hours Easy, fun, social Ben’s Bikes
Monday Night Mash 12.14 Diamondback Bridge in Ironhorse Park on the Aviation Bikeway Monday

7:15pm

15-25 miles Social regroups https://www.facebook.com/groups/1147259775287516/
 
Hills, Hills Hills Bashas Kolb/Sunrise Tuesday

5:30AM

20 miles

About an hour

12-14

HILLS

Damion Alexander

520-977-5664 text or call

Velo Vets

 

VA Blind Rehab Center at the VA Hospital

 

Tuesday 4:15PM Two rides.  One on VA campus. Other on The Loop easy, fun, social and service ride Giuliana Donnelly

Phone:520-465-5186

http://www.azvelovets.org/

Tuesday Fair Wheel Ride University/Euclid Tuesday

7:30AM

2.5 hours

40 miles

Fast www.Fairwheelbike.com
Tuesday Night Fast Fixed Ride Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Tuesday

6:30PM

Few Hours Varies Fast brownus_clarence@yahoo.com
Tuesday Night Ride Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Tuesday

8:30PM

12-18 miles Slow https://www.facebook.com/groups/5833629539/
 
UA Cycling  Wed.Worlds Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Wed

7:30AM

40-60 miles   http://uacycling.com/
Mt. Lemmon University/Euclid Wed

7:30AM

55-60 Miles   www.Fairwheelbike.com
JKG DnA Easy Udall Parking Lot Wed

5:30AM

Udall-Mile post 3 on Lemmon Casual

NoDrop

https://www.facebook.com/groups/579397565447522/?fref=ts
Christian Cycling Crit Training Series UA Tech Park- 1550 E 36th St 6:00PM

8:00PM

12-2-16  –

3.9.15

3 races from beginner to advanced.   https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2015-3523
Heavy Pedal Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Wed

7:00PM

Different route each week    
Wednesday Shredzday Sierra Vista 31.501495, -110.274078 Wed

7:00PM

10 miles   Sun & Spokes. 520.458.0685
Bike Polo UofA Mall Wed

8:00PM

    https://www.facebook.com/tucson.bikepolo?fref=ts
 
Up Oracle

Thursday Shootout

University and Euclid Thurs

7:30AM

  Fast www.Fairwheelbike.com
Hills, hills, hills Bashas Kolb/Sunrise Thurs

5:30AM

20 miles 12-14(but Hills) Damion Alexander

977-5664

Thursdays are for wheel People AJ’s

Sunrise/Campbell

Thursday

8:30AM

45 miles 18 plus timcarolan@mac.com

548-3624

U of A Cycling Thursday Thrill Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Thurs

7:30AM

1-1.5 hours Max 20 miles Easy Ride http://uacycling.com/
The JKG Flagship ride Le Buzz Thurs

5:30AM

Le Buzz to Molina Basin Hammer fest JKG Strava on Facebook
Tasty Chipolte Night Ride Sierra Vista

Chipotle  6 or circle K at 6:30

Thursday

6:00PM-  Chipotle 6:30 PM

Circle K on BST

20-25 miles No drop Sun & Spokes. 520.458.0685
 
U OF A Cycling  Friday Freewheelin Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Friday

7:30AM

2 hours

30-40 miles

Team Time Trial Practice http://uacycling.com/
 
Bicycle Ranch Tucson Group Bicycle Ranch at Oracle and Ina

 

Saturday 7:30AM 48 (shorter option of 35 as well) miles 17-20

MPH

Free Breakfast after ride

Steve 520-219-4311

The

Old  Man Shootout

University and

Euclid

Saturday 7:15AM 60 Mile (can be extended to 100) Fast

20 MPH+

www.fairwheelbikes.com
The Big Boy Shootout University and

Euclid

Saturday 7:30AM AM 60 Miles(can be extended to 100) Faster www.fairwheelbikes.com
Performance Speedway Shop Ride 3302 E. Speedway Blvd Saturday 7:00AM 15-20 miles 12-15

No drop

Pbs074@performaneinc.com

(520) 327-3232‎

Performance Broadway Shop Ride 7204 e Broadway Saturday 7:00AM 10-15 miles beginner 12-15

No drop

pbs054@performanceinc.com

520-296-4715

Broadway Bicycles Shop Ride Various Routes

Call Scott

Saturday 7:00AM     Scott 296-7819
Miles Ahead Shop Ride I’m sad to say that Miles Ahead has closed and one of the best shop rides in Tucson is no more.  If you are interested in starting a Pistol Hill Ride Every week, please let me know so I can put it here.  I know there is an interest, we just need someone to step up.  Thanks Geoff for having such a great ride.  You and Miles Ahead will be missed.
Ben’s Bike Ride At Ben’s bike

7431 Houghton

Saturday

8:00AM

6-10 miles Easy www.bensbikestucson.com

520-574-2453

Sabino Cycle Shop Ride Varies- email Steve  to be on the list Saturday 6:30AM   No Drop steve@sabinocycles.com

 

Tucson Endurance Performance Center Ride Mountain Bike Ride Contact shop for details.  Different route weekly. Saturday 7:30AM     www.graskyendurance.com/weekly-workouts.html

 

 
Performance Speedway Shop Ride 3302 E. Speedway Blvd Sunday

6:30AM

30-35 miles 12-15 Pbs074@performaneinc.com

(520) 327-3232‎

 
Cycle Fit Solutions Sunday Ride Probike on Tanque Verde Sunday

8:30AM

???? ?  Likely

18 plus

Tim Carolan

520-548-3624

timcarolan@mac.com

Tucson Endurance Performance Center Ride 6448 N Oracle

 

Sunday

7:30AM

    www.graskyendurance.com/weekly-workouts.html
Ben’s Bikes At Ben’s bike

7431 Houghton

Sunday 8AM 35-40 17-20 www.bensbikestucson.com

520-574-2453

 

THIS WEEKS ROAD RIDES

PLEASE NOTE- Category below just for Mountain Bikes

What Location Date/Time Distance Speed Contact- More Info
Zona Cycling to the Bridge

 

Starbucks at El Con Coffee Shop Saturday

12.12.15

9:00AM

50 miles 16-18 MPH https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=891970100872497&id=186457201423794

 

CAMPBELL, VISTOSO, TWIN PEAKS LOOP The Loop 1450 W. River Road Sunday 12.27.15

9AM

47 miles 12-14mph no drop http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227538514/
Oro Valley Sunday North Side Beyond bread Ina and Oracle Sunday 12.13.15

9AM

40 miles 18 plus http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2107324
The Bicycle Loop Ride Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Monday

12.28.15

9:00AM

58 miles 14-15 MPH http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227597892/
  Beyond Bread – corner of Oracle & Ina Monday

12.14.15

10:00AM

25-36 miles 14-16MPH http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2107540
Tuesday Ride. NE Tucson loop ride and lunch after Starbucks

9525 E. Old Spanish Trail

Tuesday, 12.29.15

9:00 AM

30 miles 12-14 mph http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227321243/
Pistol Hill – Kino Stadium Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Wednesday

12.30.15

6:30AM

55 miles 15-16 http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227598014/
Easy Peasy Ride Morris K. Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Thursday

12.31.15

6:30AM

26 miles 12-14 MPH                       http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227590295/
New Years Day Kick-Off Mt Lemmon to Molino Basin Le Buzz NEW YEARS DAY 2016

9AM

22-32 Your pace http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2075701

 

THIS WEEKS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES  ^^^^Road rides are above^^^^

What Location Date

Time

Time  Distance Speed Contact- More Info
SAMBA 8(ish) Days of Christmas Ride at Honeybee Canyon 1171 E Rancho Vistoso Blvd , Saturday

12.26.15

9AM

As part of the Annual 8(ish) Days of Christmas Rides, SAMBA will do the Honeybee Canyon Loop and Badlands Loop 22 miles. https://www.facebook.com/events/454670251399980/
TORCA

December Group Ride Bugs-Millie

Meet at Suzenu parking at 8am Sunday

12.27.15

6AM

TORCA will be shuttling Bugs thru Millie. This is one of the best rides in Arizona and probably our most popular group ride of the year https://www.facebook.com/events/625003134308308/
Old Pueblo MTB: Urban Assault Fast Rhino, LLC

1171 E Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Ste 111

Sunday

12.27.15

3PM

HoneyBee trail system to the Badlands as a 21 mile loop. https://www.facebook.com/events/512749945552882/
8(ish) days of Christmas ride Monday night edition 50 Year Golder Ranch trailhead Monday, 12.128.15

6:30PM

Upper 50 trail ride with techy fun. Bring good lights, this ride will be 2-3 hours with drops and rock rolls. https://www.facebook.com/events/112959345738280/
Monday Night @ Fantasy Island Fantasy Island Parking Lot Monday, 12.28.15

6:30PM

Plan on 2 hours http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association/events/227152744/
8(ish) Days of Xmas: Our MTB Rides – Tuesday Night Lights-Hope Camp Camino Loma Alta Trailhead Tuesday

12.29.15

7PM

We will be riding from Loma Alta Trailhead to Pistol Hill and back. It’s a 15 mile ride on a low Intermediate trail. There is a little bit of work to put in to get to Pistol Hill where we will be taking a “refreshment” break  

https://www.facebook.com/events/969586966414046/

Wednesday Night Ride at 50 Year Trail 50 Year/Golder Ranch TH

4798 E Golder Ranch Drive,

Wednes, 12.30.15 6:15pm original plan will be to do The Chutes and back

 

 

http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association/events/225330039/
 

Business Builder Bike Ride – SWEETWATER (an 8ish Days ride)

Sweetwater Trailhead Wednes 12.30.15

4PM

The December BBBR is part of SDMB’s “8ish Days” rides. Now in its 7th year, the 8(ish) Days runs from Christmas through New Year’s. The rides showcase the incredible variety of trails that Tucson has to offer, led by the clubs and businesses that make up Tucson’s vibrant mountain biking community. https://www.facebook.com/events/713881968749003/
SDMB 8(ish) Days of Xmas Ride: AZT Twin Tanks to Cmo Loma Alta Camino Loma Alta Trailhead- Arizona Trail Saturday 1.2.16

9AM

 

For the longer version (31miles), we will ride from Twin Tanks (Lakes Rd.) to Loma Alta. The shorter version (24 miles) will start at Sahuarita Road and finish at Loma Alta. https://www.facebook.com/events/172903943061052/

 

EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

What Location Date Contact
CycleFit Solutions – Current membe and New riders  team meeting. Presta coffee roasters Monday 1.14.16

6:30PM

Tim Carolan  520-548-3624 timcarolan@mac.com
Ultra MTB Tour Divide Training Camp Prescott, AZ 03.11.2016 – 03.14.2016 http://www.ultramtb.net/

 

8th Annual Bike the Bluff Arizona State Championship Road Race Show Low, AZ 6.18.16  

 

TIMED RIDES aka MOTIVATION aka RACES and Big Rides

Name Description Date Location Contact Info
North End Classic 8-Corner fast/ fun criterium course with small hill approximately 1 km per lap Saturday 1.16.16 Yuma https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2016-180
Prickly Pear on the Maricopa Trail Innagural race to show off the Maricopa Trail 1.23.16 Cave Creek

Morristown AZ

https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2016-143
Prickly Pedal

On the Maricopa Trail

Maricopa Regional Trail System

 

1.23.16 Start- Lake Plesant

End – Spur Cross Road

http://pricklypedal.com/about-the-race/

 

The Santa Catalina Omnium the BioPark Blast and the Oracle Road Race. 1.30.16

1.31.16

Tucson and Oracle AZ http://uacycling.com/ua-crit/
Sun Devil Crit   2.7.16 Arizona State Univ Constantin Schreiber

cschrei2@asu.edu

Ultra MTB Tour Divide Training Camp   03.11.2016 – 03.14.2016   http://www.ultramtb.net/

 

Tour De Cure

Tucson

Come raise some funds for the American Diabetes Association and ride your bike at the same time 4.17.15 Tucson  

 

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;-)

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

 

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 YOURSELF.

In life, we go where we look

Attention: I’m entering dangerous water.  Political rant on guns (But with a bike twist as that is what I do).

Many of you saw the video I posted yesterday of me crashing after a small drop into the halfpipe at fantasy Island.  It was not a big jump, and it made me think of Napoloen Dynamite attempting a jump only to catch no air, hit a cinder block and rack himself.  However, that has nothing to do with my point on guns, just an aside.

Here is the video if you care to see it.  While there, Please like The Damion Alexander Team on Facebook.  My moment of grace, followed by…

For nearly a decade I have put in about 500 hours a year in the saddle.  I have been riding bikes since I was three.  I’ve been jumping off things that most people considered nuts from about that age.  At least half of that is on a MTB and even though I don’t have the best skills, I rarely crash.  I learned a long time ago that bikes have a tendency, like always, to go in the direction I look.  You don’t even need to try.  It just happens.  So, if you go off a jump and look at the boulder hiding in the grass and take your eyes off the landing, you tend to go towards the rock.  Oh, by the way, hidden in that grass is a boulder that I used very successfully to stop my momentum as I slid towards it.   I know that if I had turned my eyes back on the trail, I would not have gone down.  My arms were a little stiffer than they should have been, but the landing was smooth and if I had done what I know to do, what I have trained myself to do in those thousands of hours, to look where I wanted to go, I would have less bruises and scabs at the moment.  But I panicked.  In a moment of stress I did not respond as I trained.  Fortunately, the only one who was at risk of injury was me.

So what does this have to do with Guns?  I have seen many posts, articles, meme’s  about how someone is packing heat so that in the remote chances someone pulls a gun they are in a position to respond and not just be sheep ready for slaughter.  As much as this concept makes sense, very few people are actually trained to respond in these situations.  It is not just a matter of pulling out your gun and dropping the bad guy.  The chances are there are other people who you will hit.  Your mind is not going to function clearly and your aim is likely to be off.  Now I fully expect someone to comment that they know their skills and how they will respond.  They have been shooting their whole life.  They go to the firing range on a regular basis.  If there is a shooting, I hope that person is present.  They might make a difference, but based on my experience,  the chances are they  will freeze up, miss the target and potentially injure and kill someone other than the active shooter.  It’s just like what happened to me on the little jump.

I feel in the greater scope of the conversation on all things in life, not just bikes and guns, we do go in the direction we look and find what we are looking for. If we are focused on a violent solution to a dire situation, we will find it.  If we look at diplomatic options  we will find those as well.  I’m fairly certain I don’t want to live in a world where everyone feels a necessity to carry guns.  It’s hard to believe that anyone want’s that, but the course we are headed on makes it feel like the Soviet/US nuclear buildup of the cold war.  Back to the bike analogy, we are looking that boulder straight on, we are going at it fast, it’s going to hurt if we hit it, but we are still have control and the ability to look at other options.

Personally, I have no issues with gun ownership.  I do not want to see all guns abolished or the rights of the constitution limited.  I just recognize that arming everyone I not likely to solve the issue.

So ends my political rant.  Personally, I recommend selling all of your guns, buying Mountain Bikes, and going where the only shooters you might see are hunters.

BICAS Art Auction

Of all the annual events in the biking community, this one is at the top of my list.  Now only does it showcase some of our most talented artists creating bike related art, it also brings out the most vibrant characters.

This was the first year at the Art Gallery.  I still love the Depot for the charm and character, but from a practical point of view this location was great.  There was plenty of parking, room for the food trucks, the building has many rooms with a free flowing floor plan and plenty of wall space to showcase the art.

This fundraiser sustains BICAS throughout the year so that they can continue to provide affordable and free bicycle education and services to the Tucson community.

I apologize to all the artist. No artist tags were posted on the wall when I popped in to take the pictures of all your great art. Many noted and talented artist give to BICAS. We can all reward them by supporting them as Artists, not just at the auction, but year round.

I created two photo albums on The Damion Alexander Team on facebook.

Preview Night with photos of almost every piece of art

BICAS Art Auction Night

 

Be aware of your surroundings

I see a dangerous situation.  It has led to many collisions and it is only going to get worse.  It consumes a lot of my attention because I know these can be avoided, but it is going to need some people to change their behavior.

The issue is walkers, runners, skaters and cyclist who are so immersed in their music that they are oblivious to their surroundings.  I have had many close calls where I was only able to avoid a catastrophe  because I had all of my senses available.  I’m not going to preach and say not to listen when you are being active.  I’d be a hypocrite if I did.  I have an earbud in almost all the time and find that podcasts pass the time, I’m able to work and take calls, and music rocks my workouts.  However, if I have both earbuds in the volume is low enough that I can hear someone behind me.

Another great option is using only use one earbud.   Of course the downside to this is that the music does not sound the same losing one of the channels.  There are earphones from a local Tucson company designed to mix both channels of sound from a stereo audio device into a single ear — enabling the wearer to maintain alertness in any environment.

The owner of the Far End Gear, Kevin Goldstein, is offeringis offering a special holiday discount to the readers of BikePilgrim.com.  http://farendgear.com/xdu
Coupon Code for 25% off: BPSFELP25 Code valid through 12/24/2015.

You can also pick them up locally in Tucson at Bicycle Ranch Tucson (7090 N Oracle Road) and The Running Shop (3055 N Campbell Ave).

Community Ride list December 5-11

This past month I had the pleasure of demoing a Trek Stache 9.  I posted a review on the experience at https://bikepilgrim.com/?p=653.

Crossing the Rincon Savanna on the Arizona Trail.  Photo by Matt Nelson
Crossing the Rincon Savanna on the Arizona Trail. Photo by Matt Nelson

Do you want to take a Trek Stache 9 or perhaps a Madone for a spin.  Trek has two demo days this weekend, Saturday December 5th from 9AM – 1:00 PM at Fantasy Island in Tucson and At Brown Canyon Trailhead in Sierra Vista on Sunday the 6th from 11:00 – 3PM.  They will have a great selection of road and mountain bikes to choose from.  Be sure to bring your pedals, helmet and hydration.  Personally, I recommend trying the Stache 9.

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.

Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you on the road and in the dirt.

Ride on,

 

Damion

__   __o

___ `\<?

__(_)/ (_)_____________

I DID NOT CONFIRM EVERY TIME, but did get in touch with most of the ride leaders and shops.  You should always verify times before you head out and remember these ride times are when the ride leaves.  Please show up as early as needed to make sure you are ready to roll out at the time posted.

REOCCURING WEEKLY RIDES

What Where When Distance/Time Speed Contact
 
Cyclocross Fort Lowell Park Monday

6:30AM

Some pre work riding, jumping obstacles,beer, donuts, coffee, laps on the grass and dirt. https://www.facebook.com/groups/671108262985165/
U of A Cycling Monday Mosey Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Monday

7:30AM

1-1.5 hours Max 20 miles How fast can a mosey be? http://uacycling.com/

 

 

Ben’s Bike MTB Meet at shop Monday

6:00 PM

1-2 hours Easy, fun, social Ben’s Bikes
Monday Night Mash Ordinary Bike Shop Monday

7:15pm

15-25 miles Social regroups https://www.facebook.com/groups/1147259775287516/
 
Hills, Hills Hills Bashas Kolb/Sunrise Tuesday

5:30AM

20 miles

About an hour

12-14

HILLS

Damion Alexander

520-977-5664 text or call

Velo Vets

 

VA Blind Rehab Center at the VA Hospital

 

Tuesday 4:45PM Two rides.  One on VA campus. Other on The Loop easy, fun, social and service ride Giuliana Donnelly

Phone:520-465-5186

http://www.azvelovets.org/

Tuesday Fair Wheel Ride University/Euclid Tuesday

7:30AM

2.5 hours

40 miles

Fast www.Fairwheelbike.com
Tuesday Night Fast Fixed Ride Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Tuesday

6:30PM

Few Hours Varies Fast brownus_clarence@yahoo.com
Tuesday Night Ride Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Tuesday

8:30PM

12-18 miles Slow https://www.facebook.com/groups/5833629539/
 
UA Cycling  Wed.Worlds Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Wed

7:30AM

40-60 miles   http://uacycling.com/
Mt. Lemmon University/Euclid Wed

7:30AM

55-60 Miles   www.Fairwheelbike.com
JKG DnA Easy Udall Parking Lot Wed

5:30AM

Udall-Mile post 3 on Lemmon Casual

NoDrop

https://www.facebook.com/groups/579397565447522/?fref=ts
Christian Cycling Crit Training Series UA Tech Park- 1550 E 36th St 6:00PM

8:00PM

12-2-16  –

3.9.15

3 races from beginner to advanced.   https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2015-3523
Heavy Pedal Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Wed

7:00PM

Different route each week    
Wednesday Shredzday Sierra Vista 31.501495, -110.274078 Wed

7:00PM

10 miles   Sun & Spokes. 520.458.0685
Bike Polo UofA Mall Wed

8:00PM

    https://www.facebook.com/tucson.bikepolo?fref=ts
 
Up Oracle

Thursday Shootout

University and Euclid Thurs

7:00AM

  Fast www.Fairwheelbike.com
Hills, hills, hills Bashas Kolb/Sunrise Thurs

5:30AM

20 miles 12-14(but Hills) Damion Alexander

977-5664

Thursdays are for wheel people AJ’s

Sunrise/Campbell

Thursday

8:30AM

45 miles 18 plus timcarolan@mac.com

548-3624

U of A Cycling Thursday Thrill Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Thurs

7:30AM

1-1.5 hours Max 20 miles Easy Ride http://uacycling.com/
Ordinary Bike Shop Ride Ordinary Bike Shop Thursday

7AM

10-20 Miles Conversational Pace Nate Woiwode nate@ordinarybikeshop.com
The JKG Flagship ride Le Buzz Thurs

5:30AM

Le Buzz to Molina Basin Hammer fest JKG Strava on Facebook
Tasty Chipolte Night Ride Sierra Vista

Chipotle  6 or circle K at 6:30

Thursday

6:00PM-  Chipotle 6:30 PM

Circle K on BST

20-25 miles No drop Sun & Spokes. 520.458.0685
 
U OF A Cycling  Friday Freewheelin Flagpole  – West Side of  Old Main Friday

7:30AM

2 hours

30-40 miles

Team Time Trial Practice http://uacycling.com/
 
Bicycle Ranch Tucson Group Bicycle Ranch at Oracle and Ina

 

Saturday 7:00AM 48 (shorter option of 35 as well) miles 17-20

MPH

Free Breakfast after ride

Steve 520-219-4311

The

Old  Man Shootout

University and

Euclid

Saturday 7:15AM 60 Mile (can be extended to 100) Fast

20 MPH+

www.fairwheelbikes.com
The Big Boy Shootout University and

Euclid

Saturday 7:30AM AM 60 Miles(can be extended to 100) Faster www.fairwheelbikes.com
Performance Speedway Shop Ride 3302 E. Speedway Blvd Saturday 7:00AM 15-20 miles 12-15

No drop

Pbs074@performaneinc.com

(520) 327-3232‎

Performance Broadway Shop Ride 7204 e Broadway Saturday 7:00AM 10-15 miles beginner 12-15

No drop

pbs054@performanceinc.com

520-296-4715

Broadway Bicycles Shop Ride Various Routes

Call Scott

Saturday 7:00AM     Scott 296-7819
Miles Ahead Shop Ride I’m sad to say that Miles Ahead has closed and one of the best shop rides in Tucson is no more.  If you are interested in starting a Pistol Hill Ride Every week, please let me know so I can put it here.  I know there is an interest, we just need someone to step up.  Thanks Geoff for having such a great ride.  You and Miles Ahead will be missed.
Ben’s Bike Ride At Ben’s bike

7431 Houghton

Saturday

8:00AM

6-10 miles Easy www.bensbikestucson.com

520-574-2453

Sabino Cycle Shop Ride Varies- email Steve  to be on the list Saturday 6:30AM   No Drop steve@sabinocycles.com

 

Tucson Endurance Performance Center Ride Mountain Bike Ride Contact shop for details.  Different route weekly. Saturday 7:30AM     www.graskyendurance.com/weekly-workouts.html

 

 
Performance Speedway Shop Ride 3302 E. Speedway Blvd Sunday

6:30AM

30-35 miles 12-15 Pbs074@performaneinc.com

(520) 327-3232‎

 
Tucson Endurance Performance Center Ride 6448 N Oracle

 

Sunday

7:30AM

    www.graskyendurance.com/weekly-workouts.html
Ben’s Bikes At Ben’s bike

7431 Houghton

Sunday 8AM 35-40 17-20 www.bensbikestucson.com

520-574-2453

 

THIS WEEKS ROAD RIDES

PLEASE NOTE- Category below just for Mountain Bikes

What Location Date/Time Distance Speed Contact- More Info
Zona Cycling

 

Starbucks at El Con Coffee Shop Saturday

12.05.15

9:00AM

45 miles 16-18 MPH   https://www.facebook.com/Zona-Cycling-186457201423794/?fref=ts
Trek has two demo days this weekend, Saturday December 5th  from 9AM – 1:00 PM at Fantasy Island in Tucson and At Brown Canyon Trailhead in Sierra Vista on Sunday the 6th from 11:00 – 3PM.  They will have a great selection of road and mountain bikes to chose from.  Be sure to bring your pedals , helmet and hydration.
Tucson Recumbent Cyclists parking lot at the UofA on N. Palm Dr. Saturday

12.05.15

11:00AM

20.3

miles

You can keep up- friendly group https://www.facebook.com/groups/TucsonRC/

 

Panera North Side Sunday Circle Cycle Panera Oro Valley 10604 N. Oracle Sun, December 06, 2015 9:00 AM 39 16-18 MPH http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2100768?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/3/2015
RIVER PARK, DREXEL, SAN XAVIER, AJO 1500 W. River Road Sunday, 12.6.15

8:30 AM

52 14-16 mph http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227122764/
Pecan Pickin’ Picnic Ride Garden of Gethsemane Park

602 W Congress St,

Sunday

12.06.15

2:00PM

16 Miles Casual pace https://www.facebook.com/events/973408959367218/
The Bicycle Loop Ride Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Monday

12.07.15

8:00AM

58 miles 14-15 MPH http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227082196/
Tuesday Ride: A little bit of Mt Lemon Morris K. Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde,

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

9:00 AM

34 miles 12-14 Mph average http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227089766/
Sabino Canyon/Foothills: Sunrise Cafe, N Kolb & E Sunrise Tuesday

12.08.15

7:30AM

20-25 miles 18PLUS mph http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2075759?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/3/2015
Cactus Bakehouse ride to Hohokam Park SE corner of Oracle/McGee Wed, December 09, 2015 10:00 AM 16-32 14-16 http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2106279?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/3/2015
Pistol Hill – Kino Stadium Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Wednesday

12.09.15

6:30AM

55 miles 15-16 http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227082229/
Thursday’s Easy Peasy “Toys for Tots Ride” Arizona Cyclist

4300 N Campbell Ave # 24,

Thursday, 12.10.15

9:00 AM

28 miles Social no drop http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/226950713/
Oro Valley Loop Ride Udall Park

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Friday

12.11.15

5:45AM

55 MILES 14-15mph http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227082268/
Thursday Easy Peasy Ride Morris K. Udall

7290 E. Tanque Verde

Friday

12.03.15

5:45AM

25 miles 12 – 14 mph http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/226894845/

 

Saguaro Nat Monument Le Buzz at NE corner of Tanqueverde & Catalina Hwy Fri, D12. 11.15

10:00 AM

25-35miles 12-14 http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2106294?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/3/2015

 

THIS WEEKS MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES  ^^^^Road rides are above^^^^

What Location Date

Time

Time  Distance Speed Contact- More Info
Trek has two demo days this weekend, Saturday December 5th  from 9AM – 1:00 PM at Fantasy Island in Tucson and At Brown Canyon Trailhead in Sierra Vista on Sunday the 6th from 11:00 – 3PM.  They will have a great selection of road and mountain bikes to chose from.  Be sure to bring your pedals , helmet and hydration.
BLACK CANYON TRAIL Black Canyon Trailhead Saturday, 12.5.15 6:00 AM We’ll spend the weekend riding the Black Canyon Trail, north of Phoenix. http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association/events/226020764/
 

Sunday Ride at Robles.

 

36Th Street Trailhead

 

Sunday 11.29.15

7:30AM

Plan to meet up at the 36th Stree Trailhead by 9:00am. We’ll hit as much or all of the Robles trail system, route to be determined. https://www.facebook.com/events/500453480159841/
Old Pueblo MTB: 50 Year Trail to The Chutes 50 Year Golder Ranch trailhead Sunday 12.06.15

3:00PM

 If there is some of you that want 20 miles roundtrip you can meet at In and Out in Oro Valley at 2pm and meet the rest of the group at Golder Ranch. The plan involves multiple laps around the chutes as sunlight and time permits. https://www.facebook.com/events/192172531123537/
Monday Night @ Lakes Road Parking lot

Rt. 83 & Sahuarita Rd

Monday, 12.07.15

6:30PM

Plan on 2 hours http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association/events/227025037/
Wednesday Night Ride at Robles Pass Robles Trailhead

W. Irvington Rd and Cactus Wren D

Wednes, 12.09.15 6:15pm We’ll start at the Creosote Loop  trail, then Camaro, Bitter Sweet and  continue towards Ajo and under the culvert.. http://www.meetup.com/Southern-Arizona-Mountain-Bike-Association/events/227200679/

 

EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

What Location Date Contact
BICAS 20th Annual Art Auction PREVIEW PARTY: Friday December 4th (6-10pm) – live music, circus performers, raffle! Early bidding takes place Saturday from 11am-4pm; and you won’t want to miss the silent auction to be held Saturday December 5th, from 6-9pm. Plenty of bike parking so ride your bike! The Art Gallery 1122 N Stone Ave. PREVIEW PARTY: Friday December 4th (6-10pm)

 

Saturday from 11am-4pm;

And

Saturday December 5th, from 6-9pm.

www.bicas.org/art-auction
Cactus Catalina Road Clean-up

PERSONAL NOTE: YEAH for Cactus Cycling and being good stewards!

Meet in the back part of the parking lot at LeBuzz Sat, December 05, 2015 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM http://www.cactuscycling.org/event-2080067?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/3/2015
GABA Annual Holiday Dinner

GABA will provide Brushfire BBQ and Tucson Tamale for a delicious dinner. (Vegetarian options will be available).

Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation3182 N Swan Rd.  Please bring toys for the toy collection Monday, December 7, 2015

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/226700117/
Tucson is the Best City for #Everydaybiking – Let’s Celebrate!! Tap & Bottle403 N 6th Ave Tuesday December 7, 2015

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

https://www.facebook.com/livingstreetsalliance/photos/gm.1664032937170852/896835577032545/?type=3&theater
Criterium Training Series

UA Tech Park –

 

The Bridges 1550 E. 36th St All races are Wednesday

Series 1

December 2,9,16,23,30

Series 2

January 6,13,20,27

February 3

Series 3

February 10,17,24

March 2,9

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1500546370245192/
Bicycle Advocacy Committee Public meeting Himmel Park Library 1035 N Treat Ave, Wednesday

12.9.15 6:00pm

Open meeting to the public all about bikes.
Join GABA and do some good for the Boys and Girls Club at this Bike Repair Event Frank & Edith Morton Clubhouse

3155 E. Grant Road,

Friday, December 11, 2015

3:00 PM

http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/227055134/
December Trailwork Day Milagrosa Sponsored By SONORAN CYCLES Meet at Suzenu parking at 8am Saturday, December 12at 8:00am https://www.facebook.com/events/1472186376416160/
Liv Ladies Holiday Mingle, Basic Maintenance tips, tire changing and holiday gift ideas, Bicycle Ranch Tucson

7090 N Oracle Rd

Saturday, December 12at 1:00pm https://www.facebook.com/events/521434504678839/
Ultra MTB Tour Divide Training Camp Prescott, AZ 03.11.2016 – 03.14.2016 http://www.ultramtb.net/

 

8th Annual Bike the Bluff Arizona State Championship Road Race Show Low, AZ 6.18.16  

 

TIMED RIDES aka MOTIVATION aka RACES and Big Rides

Name Description Date Location Contact Info
AZ endurance series 31 miles ride around the McDowell range. 61 miles will utilize the new Gooseneck trail to add in the Brown’s Ranch area. Saturday

12.05.15 7:30am

Scottsdale, Arizona. https://rockyroad5050.wordpress.com/mc6/
Race around the Farm – Cranky Cross You guessed.  It’s not a road race.  It’s not a mtn bike race.  It’s nobby tires with drop bars.  Hopefully it will be muddy. Sat/Sunday

12. 5-6.15

Gilbert http://azcross.com/
Dawn to Dusk From sun-up until the big light in the sky goes out.

15.5 mile laps.

12.12.15

7:23AM

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Pemberton Trail http://www.dcbadventures.com/
Summit Velo Pack/Group riding Skills Clinic Limited space, taught by Tim Carolan, must be active team member of Summit 12.13.15

9:30-11:30

Contact bjohnson2607@gmail.com https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2015-3517
1st Annual World Vegan/Bison Day Clunker Criterion 1) best/worst clunker,

2) best/worst costume,

3) slowest lap. Details to follow.

Sunday 12.13.15

1:00 PM

Fantasy Island Mountain Bike Trails

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1588435644710464/
AZ CROSS Series Finals /TREK CX State Championships C                    OSSSSSSSSSS

Y                R

C           C

L   O

 

December 19/20th Gilbert http://azcross.com

 

North End Classic 8-Corner fast/ fun criterium course with small hill approximately 1 km per lap Saturday 1.16.16 Yuma https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2016-180
Prickly Pear on the Maricopa Trail Innagural race to show off the Maricopa Trail 1.23.16 Cave Creek

Morristown AZ

https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2016-143
The Santa Catalina Omnium the BioPark Blast and the Oracle Road Race. 1.30.16

1.31.16

Tucson and Oracle AZ http://uacycling.com/ua-crit/
Sun Devil Crit   2.7.16 Arizona State Univ Constantin Schreiber

cschrei2@asu.edu

Ultra MTB Tour Divide Training Camp   03.11.2016 – 03.14.2016   http://www.ultramtb.net/

 

 

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;-)

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

 

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.

Trek Stache 9 Review

For many years I have been coveting a fat bike.  From my house at Kolb and Sunrise I can go out the back door and ride to my office at River and Campbell and only cross two residential roads.  I will frequently ride down to the Tanque Verde Wash and have been known to ride a mile or two in the river bed, but it is slow going and requires a  “solid” effort.  I’ve had this idea that on a fat bike I could create a completely traffic free commute and the opportunity availed itself in a demo bike from Trek.

Volunteer Sabino Canyon Bike Patrol. Perhaps the dept. of Agriculture can get us a deal on a fleet of Staches.
Volunteer Sabino Canyon Bike Patrol. Perhaps the dept. of Agriculture can get us a deal on a fleet of Staches.

Trek makes the Farley, a true fat bike with 4 and 5 inch wide 26 inch tires. It even comes with a carbon option for all the weight weenies.   For what I wanted to do this would be ideal. However, the bike Trek had available was the Stache 9, a type of bike I did not know existed. Trek’s website says The “ Stache is an all-new species of 29+ mountain bike performance. The wide 3″ tires grip relentlessly, amplifying all the benefits of 29ers, while remarkably short chainstays deliver a fun, lively ride.
Want the capability of a full suspension trail bike in a simple hardtail package, plus the extra benefits of 29+ tires? Then you were born to ride the Stache.”

I had requested the use of a Fat Bike not only for the commute, but also to participate in the Sandbox Showdown.  This annual race/ride is in the washes around Tucson that includes numerous stops at local watering holes as well as some pop up bars that one routinely finds in the washes during the Sandbox Showdown.  It is a rather spirited group, and I wanted to ride and document the event as a participatory journalist.

I was told there was a 10 minute time bonus for each gourd collected. Technically, I won the Sandbox showdown with this find, but considering I was 90 minutes behind the leader, I'm fine that Kent Loganbill went home with the hardwear.
I was told there was a 10 minute time bonus for each gourd collected. Technically, I won the Sandbox showdown with this find, but considering I was 90 minutes behind the leader, I’m fine that Kent Loganbill went home with the hardwear.

The Sandbox Showdown course was a good test for the Stache 9 and it’s ability in the washes, climbing and on single track..  After a few miles on the road we quickly dove into a small overgrown side wash.  I’m not sure what wash, but if I was to name it, I’d call it Rabbit wash for the old half buried VW Rabbit frame.   At times it was a thicket, scratching our legs and arms so we would have memories of the ride or weeks to come. After two hours and 6 miles we hit a dirt road that was about 48 degrees incline and looked much longer than I wanted it to be.  Not only can the Stache float on sand, but being 28.5 pounds it is easy to spin up a hill and it climbs like a Billy goat.  We were rewarded for the climb with the descent on the 50 year trail back to Catalina State Park.  When we hit the downhill on the single track I fell in love with 29+.   With 3 inches it absorbed everything the trail threw my way.  If I over shot the trail by a little I could not feel it. I quickly found myself taking turns at speeds I would not feel comfortable doing on any other bike.  Fun, fast, free flowing single track makes me happy.

I called the Sandbox Showdown a ride/race because it is both. Some of the riders started hard and finished early.  Others, like those in the group I was with, were more content to stop every 10 minutes for a cold beverage.  I’m still not sure how they produced so much ice cold beer in the middle of the desert and it never ran dry, but that is part of the magic one finds in this event.  I do know the ranger’s store was open at Catalina State Park and that the ice cream was delicious. As we left the Park it was becoming clear to me that I still had 15 miles to go, it was 3 in the afternoon, we were averaging 3-4 miles an hour and I was supposed to be home at 5.  As much as I did not want to leave the party, it was my daughter’s birthday and I needed to be home on time.  The Canyon Del Oro Wash has sand, sand and deeper sand but when you drop the hammer on the Stache it just floated over the top of it all.  At times, it felt like I was on a pavement.  I managed not only to finish the last 15 miles in just over an hour, but had time for an ice cold beverage at Chuy’s with the “fast” riders and was home with 3 minutes to spare.

The Sandbox Showdown was nearly 30 miles.   It was so much fun I wanted to go out and explore some of my other favorite trails to see how the Stache would handle different terrain.  Fortunately, due to the holiday season, my not returning any calls from the guys at Trek and disconnecting my phone I was able to hang onto the bike for a few extra weeks.

The first test was the commute to the office.  I live about 9 miles from Long Realty where I work.  On the road bike I can get there in about 20-25 on the Loop.  I commuted 4 times while I had the Stache and my best time was 55 minutes.  However, I knew it was going to take longer, so that was fine.  The clarity of mind that I was able to achieve on the commute was purifying.  It was an physical effort, my legs and arms were covered with scratches,  but it is the most stress free riding.  No cars.  Like 0.  None.  Nada. Zip.  It was just wide open spaces and spinning.  When I received the Stache it had rained hard the day before.  The wash was like a road.  I found myself pushing over 20 miles an hour on some sections.  The bike just floated across the surface.  As the weeks have passed since it rained and horses, walkers and dogs have pot marked the entire wash, it is not nearly as fast.  I continually look for smooth and hard packed sand towards the edges of the wash, even if it means rubbing against brush as it makes the riding so much easier.  Some of the time it is slow going, but if I put in the power I roll through it.

One evening I was stuck in the office late and was forced to hammer it home on the Loop and roads.  I popped in Az Cyclist and pumped the tires to 20 PSI.  My best time on my road bike for the commute is 24 minutes. I finished on the Stache at 33 minutes and averaged 15 MPH.  What was interesting was that I was in the hardest gear, going up hill and it did not feel like I was killing myself.

Bill Chanbers, 77, burrowed the Stache 9 for a ride in the Rilitto and up the Urban Assault.
Bill Chanbers, 77, burrowed the Stache 9 for a ride in the Rilitto and up the Urban Assault.

In the washes there are many obstacles known as grass, plants, trees, shrubs, cactus and the like. It is possible to avoid these by riding in the middle of the wash.  However, that is often a major physical effort.  Surprisingly, on some of the slightly higher parts of the wash there is hard packed single track.  Trail maintenance is a foreign concept on these trails and they often end abruptly with knee and waist high obstacles or low hanging branches.  There are only a few areas I would not feel comfortable riding the Stache Over, through or under and that is because the trees have razor sharp thorns on the branches.  As soon as you discover which ones to avoid, the bike will happily plow its own trail.

I never had time for a long night ride, but found myself coming home at dusk more than once.
I never had time for a long night ride, but found myself coming home at dusk more than once.

The November Business Builder Bike Ride was on the Arizona trail heading south from The Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead.  I learned a very valuable lesson about the Stache on this ride.  If a friend says “can I try the new 29+ bike out”, don’t let him.  Phillip was gone in a flash and I did not see him for many miles.  I’m glad it was an out and back ride so he was forced to meet up with me.  The grin on his face from the “best ride he had been on” almost made me forgive him for robbing me of  the opportunity to ride the most free flowing section of single track in Southern Arizona on the Stache.  If the shoe was on the other foot, I’m not sure I would have returned the Stache for the ride back.  Fortunately for me, he did and the journey back to the Gabe Z trailhead was most pleasant.  Featuring open trails with a good line of sight and gentle curves the Stache was every bit as fast as my Santa Cruz tallboy.  As it hit some of the tighter turns there was no need to slow as it hugged the trail.

The Stache eating a rocks on the Arizona Trail
The Stache 9 eating  rocks on the Arizona Trail.  CrazzeeHeads Princess helmet cover.  It is hunting season.  I like to remain visible.

The November SDMB social ride really excited me for putting the Stache through its paces.  Reddinton Road offers a long steady climb, but we unfortunately drove up to the parking lot.  I was able to hitch a ride and park at the bottom so I was able to blast down it at the end.  I have ridden in this area a half dozen times.  It is often over grown and the trail disappears in front of you.  On one section it is a solid climb with water bars.  Many are only 4-8 inches high and a few a foot or more, but they are on inclines, and somewhat technical to get over.  I have never been able to ride this section on any other bike.  However, the Stache rolled up everything.  I did spin out on one water bars, but that was more of a me not shifting my weight than the bike not being able to mount it.  On the descent it rolled over eroded areas and crevasses in the middle of the trail as if they were completely smooth.  On the ride down Reddinton road I had a Personal Record and that time included putting my bike on the rack and driving the last section.  I think if I had not stopped it would have easily contended for a top 10 finish. It’s likely on the straight away my time was slower than on other bikes and I would have liked a harder gear, but I have never been able to hit switchbacks with so much speed.

Crossing the Rincon Savanna on the Arizona Trail. Photo by Matt Nelson
Crossing the Rincon Savanna on the Arizona Trail. Photo by Matt Nelson

One huge advantage of the Stache over a 4 inch wide Fat bike is that it fit snugly into my Thule T2 platform Bike rack. The Secure-hook on the front just barely clears the front wheel and I need to angle the bike slightly forward to get it out, but it did not require special hard wear as many over sized bikes do.  I’m not sure the brand, but it fit on the platform rack when I caught the shuttle up Reddington Rd for the SDMB ride.

Now for the issues with the Stache 9.  First and foremost, this is a demo bike and I need to return it to the Trek demo fleet. At $3,800 retail it is a little more than I have in the bike kitty at this time.  I offered Trek $1,700, but they did not bite.  I even explained that I had pushed this bike to the extreme and it was now a very used bike and really not worth more than a grand.   Seriously, I really needed to search for issues with the Stache 9. The first I discovered was if you grab it in the wrong place, when placing it on the bike rack, it has an ability to smash your finger.  It only took two throbbing digits to become aware of that and it has not happened again.   The other two are likely issues of any Fat bike.  In order to accommodate the fatter tires the frame needs to be bumped out.  I have grown a solid black and blue patch on the inside of my thigh where my leg hits the frame.  I have been trying to pay attention to what type of riding is causing this, and I do feel my leg hitting it on occasion, but not hard enough to bruise.  If I owned the bike I might look at add some custom padding.  The other issue is the balance and weight distribution at high speeds when turning. The front wheel seems to displace the balance in an unusual location. I’m trying to figure this one out, and think it is a low tire pressure issue with the amount of rubber on the road(after writing this I jacked the PSI up and this issue disappeared)

One of my last rides on the Stache 9 was to a home inspection. The client also rides, so showing up in spandex is accepted.
One of my last rides on the Stache 9 was to a home inspection. The client also rides, so showing up in spandex is accepted and I think appreciated.

After nearly one month and 150 miles on the Stache 9 I am a huge fan. Looking back, the moments that were the best were climbing the water bars, skimming over the surface of the Rilitto at 20 plus miles an hour, rolling through switchbacks at high speed,  railing trail at Fantasy Island, AZ Trail, 50 Year and all the other single track I devoured.  If I only had one Mountain Bike, I feel a Stache 9 is diverse enough to be that bike.  I’m certain I would not win any races, but for the pure joy of riding a bicycle and the terrain in Southern Arizona, you can’t go wrong with this bike.

Do you want to take a Stache for a spin.  Trek has two demo days this weekend, Saturday December 5th  from 9AM – 1:00 PM at Fantasy Island in Tucson and At Brown Canyon Trailhead in Sierra Vista on Sunday the 6th from 11:00 – 3PM.  They will have a great selection of road and mountain bikes to chose from.  Be sure to bring your pedals , helmet and hydration.  Personally, I recommend trying the Stache 9.