Tucson Riders 4 The Cure

El Tour De Tucson is now only four weeks away!! If you haven't started your fundraising or made a donation to our charity, the Arizona Foundation for Cancer, you should get started soon. Anyone can go to www.azforcancer.org to make an online donation (be sure to write "Tucson Riders 4 The Cure" in the comment box).

Psst...I saw it on the internet...There's a SECRET tunnel near Tucson...The Facebook post said that ONLY A FEW KNOW ABOUT IT...So, this week, to celebrate Halloween, we are going on a ride in search of the SECRET TUNNEL.

Start Location: Starbucks at Orange Grove Rd & La Cholla Blvd (6363 N. La Cholla Blvd) ***Please park at the medical offices just west of the Starbucks, so we don't fill up their parking lot.
Arrive Time: 7:00 am, Ride Start: 7:15 am
Distance: 40.78 mi
Total Ascent: 1326 ft

Route Map: https://www.strava.com/routes/3415466659888390426

Regroup, water, bathroom: Speedway Gas Station at Dove Mtn Blvd & Tangerine Rd

Directions: From Starbucks, turn R onto La Cholla Blvd, turn R onto the Loop on the south bank of the Rillito River bridge, turn R onto the Loop path at the Santa Cruz River, exit the loop and turn R onto Twin Peaks Rd, Twin Peaks Rd becomes Dove Mountain Blvd at Tangerine Rd - we will be stopping at the Speedway gas station here for regrouping, restrooms and refueling. From the rest stop, turn R onto Dove Mountain Blvd, turn R on Moore Rd, turn L on Thornydale Rd. It is here where you will encounter the SECRET TUNNEL, be not afraid, for it is said that the spirits who inhabit the tunnel are friendly to most of those who enter. As you are enveloped in the inky blackness of the chiseled void, some have reported hearing the voice of, perhaps some long-dead miner, gruesomely killed in a cave-in while searching for the many veins of gold rumored to be found hidden in the strata of the tunnel's hard rock walls. "Attention! You are under video surveillance" he is rumored to say....Take heed this spectral warning, and proceed at your peril, checking to be sure your bike's blinky lights are operating correctly. As you approach the beckoning light of the tunnel exit, celebrate that you have cheated death this time, but be wary, foolish mortal, in the knowledge that you must once again plunge yourself into this gloaming hell hole upon your return... turn around at the guard shack (be sure to say "Hi" to the guard. He gets lonely), return through the tunnel ...IF YOU DARE... and turn L on Moore Rd, turn L on Rancho Vistoso Blvd, turn R onto the Loop path across from Vistoso Village Dr (just before Innovation Park Dr), continue on the loop path along the Canada Del Oro Wash, turn R (south) onto La Cholla Blvd (after going under the La Cholla bridge) and follow La Cholla back to Starbucks for coffee and ghost stories.

General Guidelines for Groups:
Before starting the ride, we will divide into groups depending on cycling speed, skill, and distance goals.

Average Speeds for A, B, and C riders:
A riders = 17+ miles per hour
B riders = 15-16 mph
C riders = 12-14 mph

Reminders:

Please review the route map before the ride to become familiar with the directions. This is a safety concern for everyone but is especially important for the “A” riders. “A-riders” are not a “no drop” group. We will try to have sweeps for the B and C riders. If you’re a C rider or have questions, please let us know via email: tucsonriders4cure@gmail.com

Riding on the Loop: please be respectful of others when riding on the loop and slow down as necessary to safely pass.
Please RSVP for the rides on Meet-up. Other riders like to know who is going and we will post updates on the ride via Meet-up page as needed.
Meet up link: https://www.meetup.com/tr4tc_az/
Be Prepared: Bring water, snacks, equipment to fix a flat, and a cell phone. Make sure you have someone’s phone number in case you need help.

If you are not doing the ride as posted, please let the group know in advance. If you decide to make changes during the route (for example, are getting tired and need to take a shortcut back), please let someone know either verbally or leave a message on the ride leader's phone.

WE NEED SWEEPS! Our B and C rider groups need sweeps! A sweep is a rider that stays slightly behind their group for the entire ride to make sure nobody is dropped. People get dropped due to mechanical problems or not keeping up the pace. People also “fall off” the group at intersections or where there is a lot of traffic, such as on the loop. An ideal sweep is someone who knows the route and can assist with basic needs, like dealing with flat tires. PLEASE help out the team by volunteering to sweep. We don’t want to leave anybody behind!
Check out this guide for sweeping for a bicycle group:
https://www.wikihow.life/Ride-Sweep-for-a-Bicycle-Group

LINKS:
Meet Up: https://www.meetup.com/tr4tc_az/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridersforthecuretucson
Email: tucsonriders4cure@gmail.com