Category Archives: Running

The Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists Annual Poker Ride – Fun on Two Wheels for a Cause

Every year, the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) pull off what might just be Tucson’s most entertaining and community-driven mountain biking event—the Annual Poker Ride. As a fundraiser for this passionate advocacy group, the event not only raises crucial funds for maintaining and expanding trails but also brings together hundreds of riders for a day packed with adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable fun.

This year’s ride unfolded under the kind of weather that makes the Sonoran Desert famous. With not a cloud in the sky and warm, golden sunlight blanketing the landscape, it was a perfect day to experience the desert’s unique beauty. The Tucson Mountains provided a stunning backdrop, with rugged peaks, craggy ridges, and panoramic views of the sprawling valley below.

A Ride Through the Sonoran Desert

The route took participants deep into the heart of the Sonoran Desert, a landscape defined by its striking geology and vibrant biology. Riders tackled iconic trails like the Explorer Trail, El Grupo Loop, Max Shemwell Trail, and Ledge Surfer. Along the way, they were surrounded by towering saguaros, their arms stretching skyward like sentinels of the desert. These iconic cacti stood among barrel cacti, prickly pear, and cholla, creating a tapestry of green that contrasted beautifully with the golden hues of the rocky terrain.

The trails twisted and turned over ancient volcanic rock formations, evidence of the Tucson Mountains’ fiery past. Riders traversed washes carved by monsoon rains and skirted cliffs that told a story of millions of years of geological evolution. Every turn of the trail offered something new—a dense cluster of ocotillo with their spindly stalks, a fleeting glimpse of a desert jackrabbit darting across the path, or the sharp cry of a red-tailed hawk circling overhead.

A Poker Ride with Personality

Riders set off at 9 a.m., aiming to collect the best poker hand by visiting 10 stops scattered along the route. These weren’t just ordinary checkpoints—they were themed party zones that captured the creative spirit of the SDMB community. Costumes, music, and refreshments were the order of the day. From beer at one stop to mixed drinks at another, the ride felt more like a rolling celebration than a competition.

The stops were as diverse as the scenery, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. A few even felt like they were part of the desert itself, with riders pausing to sip drinks while taking in sweeping views of the rugged mountains and endless desert plains.

Fuel for the Fun

No Tucson event would be complete without incredible food, and the Poker Ride delivered. At the finish line, riders refueled with a spread that included pizza, tacos, and the quintessential Tucson treat—Sonoran dogs. Paired with the crisp desert air and the warm camaraderie of fellow riders, it was the perfect way to close out the adventure.

Prizes for All

The poker aspect added an element of strategy and luck to the ride, with the best hand at the end of the day earning first pick from an impressive prize table. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of sponsors, there were enough prizes for every one of the 280 riders to take something home. Whether it was gear, gift cards, or swag, nobody left empty-handed.

Beyond the Ride

While the event is all about fun, it’s also about supporting the trails and the mountain biking community. SDMB continues to lead the charge in advocating for trail access and maintenance, and events like this are critical to their mission.

Why You Should Join Next Year

The Annual Poker Ride is more than just a mountain biking event—it’s a celebration of the Sonoran Desert and the incredible community that calls it home. Whether you’re shredding the trails, marveling at the desert’s beauty, or laughing at the creative costumes and party stops, this event captures the essence of why Tucson is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

So, mark your calendar for next year. Come for the adventure, stay for the tacos and Sonoran dogs, and leave with a deeper appreciation for this incredible desert we’re lucky to call home. You won’t regret it.

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The following is more about my day at the poker Ride. As I’m new to blogging daily, I’m still looking for the voice I want to use. Having a background in writing newspaper columns, sharing my prospective seems to self centered. It’s not about me, but I also consider myself a participatory journalist. I never show up just to watch, I’ll always find a way to participate.

The Poker Ride was a humbling yet exhilarating reminder of why I love mountain biking. These trails around Starr Pass and Tucson Mountain Park are as raw and rugged as they come—untamed, chunky, and beautifully technical. Riding them forces you to improve, to push boundaries, and to embrace the challenge. Yes, there are flowing sections that let you catch your breath, but the jagged, cauliflower-like rocks make you earn every mile. It’s mountain biking in its purest form, unsanitized and unapologetic.

This ride wasn’t just about trails, though. It was also about finding balance—both on the bike and off it. A sip of beer, mia tia, whiskey, at a few stops helped ease the nerves, but not enough to steer me into a saguaro. I found that perfect middle ground: enough to laugh at the challenge without compromising my lines.

But as I write this on Monday morning, I’m feeling the consequences in muscles I didn’t know needed strengthening. Technical riding like this, far removed from traffic, is my happy place—mentally stimulating, physically demanding, and spiritually rejuvenating. Ad in stations with food and booze and it’s a wonderful place to be. Yet, either I’m not doing it enough to stay sharp, or age is catching up with me.

What wiped me out wasn’t just the Poker Ride itself. I left home on the bike in the dark and rode the 16 miles to the event and took the long way home, detouring to show a house, and then to the gym to spin and watch the Lions and Vikings. To cap it off, I realized I’d dropped the gift card I won from Tap and Botttle and went back out at 10:30 p.m. to follow my route and look for it. 20 miles and An extra hour and a half later, I came up empty-handed. Frustrating, yes, but at least it nudged me past my weekly hours goal and took the daily miles to just shy of a century.

In the end, the Poker Ride was more than just a ride. It was a testament to perseverance, finding joy in the grind, and embracing the adventure—even when it spills into the night.

TMC Trail Challenge

The Run Tucson, Tucson Medical Center Trail Challenge is a walking, running, hiking event from February 21st, 2021 – March 7, 2021 that was created due to COVID-19 to encourage and motivate people everywhere to get off the couch, outside, active and to share the experience in a safe virtual setting. The Damion Alexander Team is creating videos of different trails and Tucson running personalities to give some additional motivation (SEE LINKS BELOW)

Another fun component of the TMC trail challenge is the The trail challenge photo contest. Categories will include: Nature, Wildlife, Action, Urban, and Selfie. The winner of each category will receive a $50 gift card for use at any one of the following local restaurants: Reforma Modern Mexican, Union Public House, and Proof Artisanal Pizza and Pasta. Winners also receive a trail running photo shoot from Run Tucson and The Tucson Photography Festival sponsors “The Damion Alexander Team”.

To enter, you need to register for the TMC Trail Challenge and tag your photos on Instagram or Facebook with #tmctrailchallenge. Go to RunTucson.Net to register. There is no limit on the amount of images you tag.

TMC Get Moving Tucson Halloween Weekend Event.

This past weekend was the TMC Get Moving Tucson Halloween Weekend Event. It consisted of a 5k race, a 5k run for Girls, Kids run and half marathon. I’ve had the privilege of being the lead out for the 5k and the Kids fun Run as well as taking a few photos here and there.
In the albums on facebook I only shared some of the images from this weekend. If you want to see every image, please look at my SmugMug page. Click here for ALL photos of the weekend Son and Dad Photography

Tucson Lifestyle.com 5k Run/Walk Click here for photos of the 5k

The 5K events are so interesting because you get to see people of all shapes, sizes and speed. I came in second, and I was on a bike. The leaders have a speed that is pretty incredible to watch as I ride ahead and a little embarrassing to be out sprinted for the finish. On the other end of the spectrum and even more impressive are the people who are finishing towards the back, but setting personal records. It is not where you finish, but that you come out, do your best and finish.

TMC Girls on the Run of Tucson 5k Walk/Run, presented by UnitedHealthcare

Click here for photos of the  Girls on the Run

This year there were nearly 500 runners, joggers and walkers in the Girls on the Run 5K from dozens of schools around Tucson. The participants are matched up one adult to one child. Essentially, this is showcasing a best practice in getting the community involved. Some people have vision. Others have determination. A few have the gift of pulling it all together. I’m speaking of Julia Strange with Tucson Medical Center. Not only was TMC the title sponsor for the TMC Get Moving Tucson Halloween Weekend Event, but The Girls on the Run has been the brain child of Julia. It is people like her that are making Tucson a healthier community for kids of all ages.

 TMC A-Mountain Half-Marathon

Click here for photos of the  Marathon Part 1     Marathon Part 2       Marathon part 3

What could make a half Marathon even more fun? Throw “A” mountain in the middle of the course. The view from Sentinel Peak of the Old Pueblo is always worth the trip. My favorite photo was of a couple doing cart wheels as they hit the highest part of the climb.

 Cox Charities FitKidz Free One Mile

Click here for photos of the Fit Kids
This is my favorite race to watch. It is a free one mile race for kids under 12. The leader finished in under 5:30, and I think he was well under the age limit. Humans are incredible. My best mile ever was just under 6. We have some remarkable young talent I this community and it’s always fun to watch them develop as athletes and as people. Since it was Halloween, many were in costumes and watching 2 year old run in the middle of the street with parents is really cool. It was a good precursor for Cyclovia, that was held on Sunday.

TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run and Festival of Miles

The TMC Meet Me downtown 5k Night Run and Walk and the Festival of miles was run in Tucson on Memorial day weekend.

Featuring nine separate divisions of one-mile events, the inaugural Festival of Miles has been named a “Featured Event” in the acclaimed “Bring Back the Mile” series, founded by Ryan Lamppa. Showcasing America’s best Mile events, the Bring Back the Mile series aims to create a national movement highlighting the Mile distance.

I had the pleasure of being the lead out (on bike of course) for all 9 races on Friday as well as the 5k on Saturday Night. . I took my Trek Stache and was having to really push the bike to stay ahead of the last race. The winner finished in 4:11.  The 5K pace was easier and I opted to use my road bike.

It was tricky getting some of the images.  You would think that since I usually shoot cyclist, who go much faster, this would be easy.  However, I’m still trying to dial in the running shots.  I was not there as the photographer and if you really want to see some great shots check out the Goatographer and Oro Valley Photography.

Below are the links to the photos I shot over the two days.

TMC Festival of Miles – Masters, Tutu, Badges and really fast people

Fit Kidz and High School race

Pre and post race smiles

5K Race and Walk

 

Sabino Canyon Sunset run

Saturaday evening I had an opportunity to volunteer with the Sabino Canyon Bike Patrol and help with the Southern Arizona Roadrunners 35th annual Sabino Canyon Sunset Run. Since I was going to be there, I brought the camera and ended up with a few(hundred) images. I’ll be posting more on The Damion Alexander Team facebook page and here.

CLICK HERE for album 1   –

CLICK HERE for album 2

CLICK HERE for album 3

CLICK HERE for album 4

More photos coming later this week.

This is  the event web page description of  the Sabino Canyon Sunset Run.

“Sabino Canyon located in the Coronado National Forest, is one of the most beautiful desert canyons in the American southwest and a true jewel of the Tucson community. SAR’s Sabino Canyon Sunset Run has one goal, to create a race worthy of the Canyon. For 34 years we believe we’ve done just that. This unique 7.4 mile race is designed to capitalize on the majestic nature of Sabino Canyon to provide a unique opportunity to experience the challenges of a great race in a truly magnificent setting.”

These photos are a major time commitment and it is my pleasure to put it together. All I ask in return 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 The Damion Alexander Team 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 community. For example: these photos