November 21, 2009

November 21, 2009

Today was the 27th running of the El Tour de Tucson. Getting its name from the more famous event in France, this one-day 109-mile bike race circles the Tucson metro area. We first became aware of it the hard way. Three years ago race day turned out to be our move-in day. Our RV was stuck in a long line of traffic waiting for racers to pass. This year we can enjoy the race. It goes right by our apartment entrance. Just as we walk out to the street, the leaders race by. Incredibly these winners bike the 109 miles in just over four hours. That is averaging 25 miles per hour, on a bike!! They are not doing it past us though. We are at the top of a long uphill run, a killer on a bike.

We watch the bikers pass for an hour. There is a steady stream as some 9000 people participated in this race. Aimee and I don’t mind the inconvenience as we also benefit from the popularity of biking in Tucson. Biking magazine rates Tucson as one of the best places to ride for three reasons: Sunshine, Sunshine, and Sunshine.