Now That’s A Festivus Pole! – December. 30, 2024
To close out this Festivus Season, I bring you the tallest and shortest Festivus poles I encountered this holiday season. While the tall one is not an official Festivus Pole, it caught our attention as we were out hiking on New Year’s day. The short one on the other hand is a certified Festivus Pole. I’ve been asking Melanie for this for many years now and my wish finally came true.
Happy Festivus and A Happy New Year!
Lactic Acid Alert for Hiking Cyclists! – December. 16, 2024
A few weekends ago I got to go on an epic hike with my son, his two friends and their dad. We ascended up the imposing side of Mt. Lemon on the Finger Rock Trail. While we didn’t make it to the summit as we had hoped, we did make it a little over 3 miles up to a very great overlook of Tucson.
This hike reminded me, as I now and then get reminded, that just because I am in good shape for long bike rides, my muscles aren’t ready for steep hikes. Over the 3 miles, we ascended nearly 3000 ft on a trail as steep as the steepest in the Grand Canyon. I managed the hike itself fine, but for the next 3 days the lactic acid build up had me stiffer and sorer then I think I’ve ever been. I’m gonna need to build myself up to any more of these types of epic hiking adventures…
Let there be Ramp! – December. 9, 2024
We finally have ramp access into Campfire Cycling! Our neighbors recently installed this amazing ramp, the only problem was a fence between our entryways. The fence being on our side, we were able to have the fence transformed into a gate by our clever and capable buddy Pat.
Come by the shop and enjoy a much easier approach then the narrow stairs we were previously limited to. We are stoked for now being able to get heavy loaded bikes, cargo bike, e-bikes and really any and all bikes into the shop now with much more ease. Its also been great for rolling pallets directly into the shop and our delivery drivers are loving it! And last but definitely not least, we are elated to finally have ADA access into our space.
5 Years and Counting – December. 2, 2024
As I was struggling to come up with a good idea for my tidbit today, it occured to me that this would be a good opportunity to take a little walk down memory lane. Campfire Cycling is just a little over 5 years old having launched on November 15, 2019 with Lael and Rue presenting their screening of I Just Want to Ride at our old location. Its been an epic 5 years since and I am grateful for our amazing team that’s come together to make Campfire Cycling happen for our wonderful Tucson community and our broader community of bicycle travelling customers around the world. Thank you for being a part of it!
Three Coyotes at Three Tunnels – November. 25, 2024
With the return of the cool weather here in Tucson, I’ve been making a habit of hitting up Three Tunnels formerly known as Two Tunnels formerly know as Urban Assault. Actually it is still known as Two Tunnels however it now actually has three tunnels so… I’ve been doing this a few times a week after dropping my kids off at school which happens to be down the street from the trail head. Anyways, its been a fun way to get some trail miles in. Earlier this week, I came across three coyotes in the wash (though I only captured one in my photo after the other two had run off).
Ahhh…. Bikepacking – November. 18, 2024
I like to snap a photo of my bikepacking setup when out on a trip. It is such a perfect little reminder of the tremendously refreshing getaway that any sort of bikepacking getaway can be. With everything you need ready to go on your bicycle you can travel near or far!
Zippy Tires – November. 11, 2024
This I’ve been trying to get out on some longer version of my bike commute lately. As part of that effort, I decided to lighten up my commuter/gravel bike, my Bombtrack Beyond 1. The most notable change was installing the Rene Herse Snoqaulmie Pass 700c x 44mm tires. I’m really loving how zippy they’ve been making my bike feel.
Stronghold Divide – November. 04, 2024
Last weekend I went on a family camping trip to the East Cochise Stronghold. Having camped here twice before during Campfire’s ride of the Tombstone Hustle, I knew the area fairly well. When we decided to do this ride, which starts in Tombstone, we decided to reverse the route in large part due to the alignment of the climb over the Stronghold Divide. The way we’ve been doing it, we go over the divide in the afternoon of the first day before getting to camp. Doing it this way, the Hike-A-Bike is 1.75 miles with a 3 mile descent. As one of our intermediate rides, this ride can be some of our riders first bikepacking trip on singletrack. This 4.75 mile section is quite rugged for an intermediate trip, so we hope to make it as approachable as possible. Anyways, I was curious what it was like to go at this tough section of the ride from the other direction. I can report that the three mile ascent was a big challenge even unloaded and I’m glad we do the Tombstone Hustle the way we do.
BOB-o’-lantern – October. 28, 2024
Having gotten my start in the bike biz many year ago now with a contraption for a BOB Trailer, I’m always a sucker for fun and creative uses of BOBs. Last weekend’s Cyclovia always brings out Tucson’s finest weird and wacky bicycle setups and costumes.
A Horse in the Street! – October. 21, 2024
Last weekend I got the family to join on at least the start of Henley’s chill ride (the first one of the fall). We only made it for the first five miles or so of the ride, but before peeling off we got to experience one of the highlights, a horse and rider trotting down the street, not as common of a site as you might expect here in the Old Pueblo!
Ellie’s Bear Rope to the Rescue – October. 14, 2024
After we spotted a bear on our bikepacking trip through the White Mountains last month, Ellie wisely got out her bear rope and after dinner everyone organized their food and cooking gear into stuff bags. Ellie’s rope had multiple lashing points and handled the supplies of all 9 of us on the ride. Here she is sending our food up the tree with Nate tugging on the rope. Bear sitings aren’t all that common here in Arizona, but after encountering this one, I think everyone on that trip is planning on carrying a bear rope more regularly.
Radiohead Monster Bear Pancake – October. 7, 2024
Now that we’re back in pancake making season, the pancake art will be popping up in these here tidbits. Burger made me this extra special pancake, after learning that I was a longtime RadioHead fan. The funny thing is I didn’t even recognize what it was… I guess I am not as much of a Radiohead as I thought. But I really appreciated the gesture and I won’t forget Radiohead’s logo now. Come out to our next Breakfast by Bike and you might just get a personalize pancake too!