Tucson Tune-up

We're here! Arrived yesterday early evening with no problems. Several bonuses with traveling eastward instead of my usual northward trips. Absolutely zero traffic the entire trip and the price of gas seemed to drop by a couple of pennies per gallon the further we got.

Checked into the hotel, and then went out for dinner at El Charro Cafe. Great eats. This place claims to be the where the Chimichanga was invented. I ordered a Sopa de Fideo, which I love and can never find in a restaurant. I also ordered a couple of chicken tamales with tomatillo sauce. Good stuff. Afterwards, hit the grocery store for some supplies. The usual stuff, bagels, peanut butter, bananas, apples, gatorade, energy bars, salted almonds. FUEL. Picked up a friend at the airport and then back to the hotel to catch the last bit of an impromptu room party.

This morning we had a tune-up ride to stretch the legs. We rode about 15 miles and the conditions were not too favorable. There was a very strong wind blowing from every direction making it difficult to control the bike. There is also major construction going on along the route with the highways being widened. Consequently, the road is in poor condition and the bike lane is all about 6 inches wide. I felt pretty nervous every time a cement truck would pass us. We rode out to get a look at the first river crossing and it looks like it is in pretty good shape. The soil is hard packed while it is usually very silty. This should help.

That's it for now. Next stop Bike Expo to get some schwagg, buy an overpriced event jersey, some electrolyte tablets. Later on, 1pm team meeting were we go over course specific items.

Also today, I'm going out to Andy Gilmour Cycles to meet Andy. I think he is the one that built my mystery vintage bike that I have been restoring. I'm hoping for a positive ID.

6pm is TnT Pasta Party where we carb up, and listen to inspirational and sometimes heartbreaking speeches from people with blood cancers.

Tomorrow is event day!!!!!!