Anyone who has spent time riding bicycles in Tucson, Arizona, has seen the man known as the Grey Wolf. The Wolf lurks in the desert the same way the Coyote lurked in the desert waiting for Road Runner.
I’m not sure if he has a phone tree of potential ride partners, or is just a group ride opportunist. On any given day, he can often be found circling at the top of Helmet Peak where he might try to join your ride. He never really joins the ride per se, but tails about 30 feet behind. On occasion, the Wolf might join the end of the Shootout on the Old Nogales highway and try and mix it up in traffic. He gets so excited that he growls and bays like a horse or wolf, and thus the nickname.
If the Wolf is wearing a pink jersey, rest assured matching shorts and shoe covers will follow. He also has the ability, depending on the mood, to don a bandellero or cycling cap.
He does not carry a pump on his bike, but instead uses a utility belt. He sticks the pump through the belt and into the first layer of his shorts. The pump looks like a lone arrow in a quiver. The utility belt also fits his walkman — without auto reverse. I have personally seen the Wolf manually change cassettes mid ride. I asked him once what gets him moving as far as tunes go, and he replied, “You know the good shit, BAD.” WTF???
Back on the Wolf’s wear, he usually outfits himself with two pairs of shorts. The under layer is exposed just above the knee. It is almost like a support layer. The outer layer, which is held in place by the utility belt made of patent leather, is most likely pink or green. The jersey is usually pink or green as well, and always matches the shorts. To round out the getup, his final touch is to match the thin watch band on his wrist to whatever color utility belt he happens to be running that day.
Looking for an ideal place to train during the winter months? If so, you need to take a serious look at Tucson, Arizona.
Tucson, Arizona is the place to train during the winter months. Many top cyclist and triathletes come to Tucson, Arizona to train during their winter training preparation. An average winter day in Tucson is sunny and 65 to 75 degrees. The mornings can be a little chilly but nothing to stop you from getting out on the road.
Lance Armstrong used Tucson as his base training camp. He rented a cabin on the top of Mt. Lemon. He would spend his day riding the back roads of Tucson and then finish his ride off with a 30 mile climb to the top of Mt. Lemon which gains a total of about 5,000 feet in 26 to 28 miles.
Tucson has one of the best group rides in the country called the ‘Shoot Out’ according to Bicycling Magazine. The 60 mile loop cuts south from Tucson into desolate, mountainous desert toward Green Valley, Arizona almost to the Mexico boarder. During January, February and March the Shoot Out is loaded with professional cyclist from all over the world. The pack ranges from 100 to 175 fit riders. You can often see local pro riders like Phil Zajicek, Gord Fraser and Curtis Gunn gracing the peloton along with pro triathlete Jimmy Riccitello.
For the triathletes out there, Tucson has one of the best masters swimming programs in the country. The program is called Tucson Ford Aquatics which is at the University of Arizona pool.
There are 3 daily workout times to choose from: 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6:30 PM. You can often see many top professional triathletes at the pool. The noon workout is the favorite time among the triathletes.
Back on the Wolf’s wear, he usually outfits himself with two pairs of shorts. The under layer is exposed just above the knee. It is almost like a support layer. The outer layer, which is held in place by the utility belt made of patent leather, is most likely pink or green. The jersey is usually pink or green as well, and always matches the shorts. To round out the getup, his final touch is to match the thin watch band on his wrist to whatever color utility belt he happens to be running that day.
_20110623040903.gif)
_20110617142159.gif)
