#Swiftbailout2024 – June. 28, 2024
Sometimes you make decisions regarding cancelling a trip to protect folks (flash flooding, lightning, wildfire) and sometimes you cancel/change plans when things just don’t work out if people don’t sign up or life gets in the way. It’s always a bummer because you didn’t get to ride. Leading up to the 2024 Swift campout (usually sunny and warm and sweltering here in town) we started an early monsoon season! We eagerly watched the weather and the chances for severe thunder storms come and go. After it was all said and done the risk of storms was hovering in the 40-70 percent (depending on which weather service you watch) and we decided to risk it.
It turned out to be the right call even though we had to cancel the camping. We still rode with 15 people and a dog, JoJo, and had an absolute blast. It was humid and warm as we pedaled up Mt. Lemmon. Four of us split off for the mountain bike route. It started raining on us as we were enjoying fairy houses on sunset trail. We started down a canyon trail called Marshall gulch to make out way to meet the rest of the folks in Summerhaven.
That’s when it started to get sketchy. Heavy torrential rains nailed us and we hiked and biked through the canyon over some narrow edges and small creeks and waterfalls. We hiked and biked our way back into town. We all gathered under a patio to get as dry as possible. People’s weather apps said it would stop raining in an hour. Then we waited another one and another one and another one… the rain continued to pour and the lightning continued. Everyone looked at each other and you could tell we were about done. With everything flooded and the risk of lighting strike high, we decided to ride back down the mountain towards home.
Turns out Tucson got a historic storm to replenish our quenched desert and it continued to rain all night on the mountain. Was I sad we didn’t camp? Absolutely. But was I happy I got to ride with rad folks? Absolutely! Even though we didn’t get to camp for the campout, my cup and our water basins were full.
Ode to feed bags – June. 21, 2024
One of my favorite bags for everyday/bikepacking is actually a frame bag. It’s incredible how much food, water, (narrow) groceries, sleeping pads, libations, tarps and/or other sundries or repair kits or whatever you can fit in there.
But one problem that arises from that is you lose the classic water bottle spots. In comes the “feed bag” to save the day. What started as a simple solution to hold my water bottle for quick drink access became my next favorite piece of gear. It’s the easiest and fastest way to grab water no matter what the terrain, you don’t have to lean down and reach down to grab it- you just chill, move your hand towards your stem and you are hydrated. Not only do they hold water, but everyday they hold my keys, headphones, camera, phone and snacks (not necessarily an any order).
Be sure to check out our rad section from Revelate Designs, Swift Industries, and Oveja Negra and the find the perfect one for your needs! I’ll never go back to a normal water bottle cage in the frame again!
Scorp season – June. 14, 2024
It’s about that time of the year that the scorpions all come out of hiding to do some hunting at night for summer snacks. Scorpions don’t usually come out until after sunset and it’s at least 75-80’ F out. One really cool thing about scorpions is that their exoskeleton glows under a black light. That makes riding or hiking around with a black light a special treat. Lots of people are scared of scorpions, but they are an amazing part of the ecosystem and usually hide out (even at night) and prefer to be left alone.
Into the Hot, Dark Night – June. 7, 2024
As it gets hot here (hitting 100* F or 38* plus for our metric friends) night riding becomes a crucial and beautiful thing. Once the sun goes down things cool down and the desert creatures breathe a collected sigh of relief. There is something incredible and being in shorts and hot when it’s dark- it feels so freeing like you could go anywhere and everything feels so new and different as you have limited visions. Cheers to zooming through the tunnels during my favorite time of year with my favorite people and animals.
R.I.P. Pepe – May. 31, 2024
I’m a dog lover, nothing makes me more stoked than when someone brings a dog into the shop. We call it the pet tax. You bring your pet in and we get to pet it! Usually it ends with tons of sloppy dog kisses (my favorite). There is no better love than the love of a dog. I digress- we came across this amazing, yet sad piece on a meander ride around town. It’s made of the dog’s fur and has rocks for eyes and nose. R.I.P Pepe, the goodest dog ever.
Duck comics – May. 24, 2024
I’m not sure who is doing this, but there is an awesome comic book artist posting these fun comics around town on the back of street signs. It’s fun to find different ones and they always brighten up my red light time. Cheers to the mystery artist and hopefully other folks continue to make fun interactive street art!
Biking to Tucson Pops Orchestra – May. 17, 2024
During this season there is a great local pop orchestra, Tucson Pops, that does free concerts in Reid Park. We always try and grab some friends and head down. We bring picnic supplies and wine and a big blanket to spread out on. It’s such a treat to have such a rad resource that is free and anyone can join and enjoy some music. What is even cooler is that they always include local talent. This one was international award winning guitarist Gabríel Ayala. Gabriel is a local gem and important person in the music scene locally. See ya out there! Next one is May 19th, than again May 26th. If you wanna ride with us, hit me up and come along!
#castlesoftucson – May. 10, 2024
Alright, it’s time to confess. I have an (un)healthy obsession with castle shaped houses in Tucson. I’m not sure what is weirder, my obsession or the fact that I have located 16 so far and hopefully will come across more on my meanders around town. A great example that was recently listed on Zillow has gone wild.
I’ve slowly been compiling a list of the castles with help of some rad friends and hopefully will gather more! In the near future I’ll publish a map/ride that strings the castles together. I’m also trying to convince our friend Ash to re-hash a previous castle ride that they did years back (I’m not the only one haha). And here’s another that was from my ride the other day, this one is known as the Mollhollan Castle just to give you a little taste. Who is building all these castles, and why? Believe it or not!
Palo Verdes Blooming – May. 3, 2024
Nothing makes me more stoked to ride than the drastic, sudden blooming of the Palo Verde trees here in town. One minute it’s kinda cold in the morning and the next you’re riding in t shirt and shorts and enveloped by beautiful and drastic yellow everywhere. The bloom signals the arrival of early summer and warmer weather and brings out all the cool insects. It’s amazing how all the sudden your instagram feed turns bright yellow as it is a right of passage for Sonoran desert dwellers to wallow in Yellow Sea. Imagine your whole commute or fun ride tunneling through this georgeus yellow tunnel!
Horny Toad – Apr. 26, 2024
Check out this Horny Toad that crawled onto my hand when offered a ride last weekend! I was cruising around a nature preserve with some friends when we had to take a little rest stop and meander. Saw this horned lizard cruising on the grass nearby and squatted next to it. I put my hand out and to my surprise it walked onto my hand and chilled for a few. Such a fascinating creature. I imagine it as a miniature stegosaurus!
Flower Power – Apr. 19, 2024
I’ve got allergies and it’s getting me! But it’s beautiful!!! Take a look at this field of Globe Mallow from a ride with some friends this passed weekend to the secret arroyo trails. It’s been awesome riding around and seeing all the flowers and creatures come alive with the warmer weather.
Pump track love – Apr. 12, 2024
Thank you to the person that has been giving the barrio jumps and pump track some much needed love. They create a much needed and rad space for kids and people to hang out, and hone their skills. Kids need a space to practice and explore with bikes. There’s also a new one opening up this month in Oro Valley. Stoked to go check it out. Can’t wait to see more of these spaces go in across town so folks from every neighborhood can access them.
extremecommutering – Apr. 5, 2024
It’s been a bit rainy and coldish here lately. It’s means I’ve had to ride in the rain with no fenders <gasp> because why would you ride with fenders when it’s usually warm and sunny and they just bang around and get bent. I’ve been thinking of all the folks that are coming out of their snow season and people that ride year round in the slush and grey and lobster mitts and bar yaks. How lucky i am to only slightly be uncomfortable a few days a year on my daily bike commute. Here’s an ode to y’all. May the sunny days be sunnier and warmth radiate on your skin. May the cars give you much girth and wave you through. Here’s a pic of me extreme commutering maybe 15 years ago beach style. (There was a random trampoline on the boardwalk on my way home from work)