Today didn’t begin with a walkabout in mind, for myself at least. This is the first of three straight cold, windy, and rainy days; and Rachael’s plan was to take a hike over to Tumamoc Hill, armed with optimism and a new umbrella.
My plan though is to take a bike ride, maybe scoring 42 miles and another riding day for the team. The forecast entices us with about a four hour dry window, though the window’s boundaries keep shifting every time we look at the forecast again. My thought is to bike southeast out Julian Wash until enthusiasm lags or environmental conditions discourage, and then ride the tailwind back home.
Rachael steps out the door on her hike, and not long after I pull out the bike and prepare to depart. Not so fast buster, says my totally flat rear tire. It’s had a slow leak for perhaps three weeks now, and I’ve just pumped it up anew each day since it first showed up, planning to repair it on a rainy day.
Here’s that rainy day, and it’s finally time to repair 2021 flat no.2. At this rate, we’ll be seeing 15 flats this year. Not great, but maybe things will improve when we leave the desert.
Bruce LellmanI know it's all about speed and distance for you guys but I'm a big believer in Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. Three rugged trips in S.E. Asia over countless pieces of glass and nails and other stuff that would take out most tires and we have never had a flat. I say this because I simply hate fixing flat tires. Reply to this comment 3 years ago
Scott AndersonTo Bruce LellmanIt’s not really about speed or distance. We don’t really bike that fast any more, or rack up long miles. For me, it’s a tradeoff of pain avoidances. It’s a pain changing flats, and it’s a pain carrying extra rolling resistance. The tires we have feel like the right compromise, for us.
On average, I think we might get a flat about every three months. We’re in thorn country now, and our tires are getting worn to boot. We’ll start over with a new set before our next ‘real’ tour. Reply to this comment 3 years ago
That rainy day is here. I’ll repair it later in the afternoon, when it’s coming down in earnest and even hailing a bit; but not now or there won’t be time to get out before the rains arrive. I improvise, and decide to take a walk through the inner city looking for murals. I found a few.
As a side note, murals are going up at a breathtaking rate here in town, supported by the Tucson Murals Project. Several of the ones shown below are new this year.
On the wall of the Sky Bar, on 4th Avenue: a crested saguaro lady, by Rock Martinez. Does this look like either of the crested saguaros we saw in the National park last week? I know each is unique, but really.
Jen RahnTen purple creatures on bikes!
None wearing heels with spikes
They ride past the low moon
The ape playing bassoon
And the elephant shouting, "Oh, Yikes!" Reply to this comment 3 years ago
Jen RahnThis is a social commentary on all the women wearing ridiculously high heels at the presidential inauguration.
Thankfully Laura Bush and Maisy Biden dared to show some intelligence with their footwear choices. Reply to this comment 3 years ago
Blue Quail and Oranges, on Scott Avenue next to one of our favorite restaurants here, 47 Scott; by Isaac Caruso. He painted it in six days, sleeping on the lift so he could paint as late in the day as possible.
The view west , from the Rattlesnake Bridge. Such a different sky today! To the north, between breaks in the clouds we can see snow on the Santa Catalina Range.
Scott AndersonTo Bruce LellmanIt’s pretty impressive alright. I really like their color, diversity and imaginativeness. Reply to this comment 3 years ago
