Posted by ken on January 14, 2002 at 18:42:29:
In Reply to: I challenge each and every one of you here! posted by INTRUDN on January 06, 2002 at 22:01:50:
What a GREAT ride on Sunday..... My next door neighbors Che and Carolyn, and myself and my wife, set out at about 10 am. Che and Carolyn on a Honda Shadow and my wife and I on the Suzi. Weather is above 60 in Tucson, Arizona. To get to town from our homes we ride through the Saguaro Natl. Monument, thousands of cactus, 30 to 40 feet tall. The road is curvy and hilly and the landscape is BEAUTIFUL. After about 5 miles we leave the Park and head into town. We ride to the University area and park by a bagel shop, we have a quick snack and are met by one of Carolyn's classmates. We have come to watch the Olympic torch run by, carried by another of Carolyn's classmates. The hype is incredible...pick-ups and RV ‘s all painted with Olympic symbols. Coke is handing out flags and stickers and(of course) Cokes. Motor cops on their Kawasaki 1000s are trying to keep people on the sidewalk . People line the street, cameras and camcorders at the ready ... we can see sparkling lights coming. Our runner is Kristi Urias. She accepts the flame about 1 block away and goes by us smiling and waving. She is surrounded by police cars, Olympic "guards ??!?" on big BMWs and at least 3 Rv's. 2 blocks later, she is done . Everyone wants a chance to carry the flame so runs are short. We talk to Kristi afterward and hold her torch (she gets to keep it). Pictures all around. Then we are off again.
We head Southwest to the top of "A" mountain. The Univ. built the A in the 30's. 100 ft tall, 50 ft wide, and stone and concrete 4 feet deep make up the A. It rests on the side of the peak facing downtown. Usually white, the A has been red/white/blue since 9/11. From the top you can see most of Tucson...including the San Xavier Mission. Che mentions that he's never seen the mission........So.......... off we go.
Down the mountain it's another 10 miles to mission road. On the way , my wife's right lens pops out of her glasses. At Valencia rd we sojourn at a restaurant for beers and chips. A quick stop at Walgreens for an eyeglass repair kit and we are back on the road.
We arrive at the 300 year old mission at about 2pm. The inside has been recently restored. The art work-paintings of saints and angels -is impressive. The 6 foot thick adobe walls go 30 feet up to the domed roof. Quite an architectural feat for the late 1600's using mud bricks and Indian labor. Still in use, the old church is crowded with tourists and parishioners alike. We light a candle, buy a few trinkets and take off.
One more stop at the Casino Del Sol and donate $10 to the tribe (in the form of poor slot machine choices ...and beer), and we head home . About 20 miles up Sandario road, skirting the Saguaro monument to the South ...we arrive home right at sundown, amazed by the WONDERFUL ride and the beautiful day we've had.
No mechanical problems, about 80 miles on the odometer and a memorable day to tell your grandkids about.
Sorry this got so long but, thanks for letting me brag.
Ride safe, ride smart. Take care