Category Archives: Established Group Rides

The Business Builder Bike Ride (BBBR)

Established Group Rides, Mountain Bike

This ride is the brainchild of two of the most creative and professional businessmen in Tucson, Matt and Brandon Blair from Cirrus Visual.  Some people just have it all together.  From family, business, fitness, friends, community involvement and everything else they are a part of.  I have seen many rides start and fail, but this ride just gets better and bigger each month.  

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The BBBR is a monthly gathering and alternates between Sweetwater Preserve and Fantasy Island.   The format is to do a quick pre-ride meet and greet.  This is limited mostly to who you are and what you do professionally.  Then we get on our bikes and ride.  Post ride beer, hangin’ out trail side, and a call for any upcoming events that we are working on and care to share.

This is how Cirrus Visual describes the BBBR.  “If you haven’t heard about this event, think of it as business networking on your bike. Some people do business on the golf course…we love to ride our mountain bikes, and know there are other business professionals like us.

Whether you like to ride fast, or are just venturing into the dirt, all riding levels are welcome! Just bring your bike, helmet and business cards, and we’ll bring the post-ride refreshments. Join us this month and bring a friend – new riders are what keep this event growing!” 

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Personally, this is one of my favorite rides based on the location, people, scenery, networking and beer.  If you want to go really fast, there is still someone faster.  If you are affectionately known as “the turtle” you will not be left out on the trail by yourself.  Since we start and stop in the same place and the trails we use have extra loops for those who want extra credit everyone can get in the ride they want and still not feel like they are being left out or left behind.  Also, beer, FREE beer from Borderland brewery hoppily greets you at the end of the ride.  Is this really networking or just an excuse to cut out of work, ride bikes and drink beer?  I have sold 3 homes as a direct result of this ride.

You can sign up for an automatic invite at http://www.cirrusvisual.com/teamcirrus/bizandbikes.html or look up Cirrus Visual on Facebook.

Check out the photo album from the August BBBT on my facebook fan page. The Damion Alexander Team (PLEASE Like it) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153199700020154.1073741946.228735085153&type=1 

Tuesday/Thursday Morning Ride

Established Group Rides, , , , , , , ,

For many years a small band of dedicated cyclist have met on the SW corner of Kolb and Sunrise at 5:30AM to attack the hills in Fairfield.  This foothills community is a hidden gem for cycling. The roads are well maintained by the HOA’s, the streets are wide, and deed restrictions prohibit cars from parking in the street and driveways. The climbs have nicknames like “puke hill” and are well named with grade in the 20% range.

Most days the ride follows the same path. Territory to Via Velazquez, South to Via Colorado to the top of the hill, Loma Del Bribon to Camino De Carillo, North on Tanuri to Via Velazquez, East on Valle Di Cadore, SE on Territory, North on Via Velazquez, NE on Paseo Otono, SE on Via Sempreverde, cross the street to Valle Di Cadore and do the reverse to Camino de Carillo and Via Colorado and back to Bashas. Depending on who shows up there is usually extra credit to be earned in Sabino Canyon. This group has met year round for many years. Urban mythology says Mike Solan started the ride, but after retirement and not having anywhere to go, he quickly abandoned the group for sensible rides when the sun is in the sky.

Occasionally, the ride is altered to climb the other hills in the area or head out east for more miles and less climb. The group is open to anyone who shows up. They ride at a steady pace, but will usually regroup at the top of every climb. Many of the homes look the same in the area and it is very easy to get turned around, so it pays to look at the map in advance.

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5:30 is early. During the winter it is cold and often the sun is just coming up as the ride is finishing. The price professionals are willing to pay in order to get in a bike ride. One of the best rewards is watching the sun come up from ridge top streets.

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