Southern Exposures: Cycling the Southwest


Winter is marching on here in Missoula, MT, and although the weather has been unseasonably mild, I have had very little opportunity for a long ride. Snowshoeing, skiing, and winter sports are in ample supply, and I love them,  but a recent trip to the Adventure Cycling Florida Leadership Training Course has me yearning for warmer weather and longer rides.

Cool treats in Wickenburg, Arizona
My first exposure to the warmth of the southwest was the Adventure Cycling Southern Tier Van tour in March of 2010. Once we climbed out of Southern California and spun into Arizona, we saw the sure signs of warmer temperatures; flowers, cactus blossoms, and short-sleeves. If you'd like a slice of Arizona this spring, our Arizona Road Adventure will entice you with dry gulches, cactus-studded hills, and a flavor of the Old West. You will even visit the infamous OK Corral in Tombstone where the Earp brothers and Doc Holiday met their end.

A respite along the route in the West Texas hills

Or you might join our Texas Hill Country tour. The meandering crystal-clear streams,  oak-covered hills, and the Guadalupe river are stunningly beautiful. When I rode here, the road and river sometimes seemed to merge into one, as the road was barely a foot higher than the river. The hills can sometimes be arduous, but you are always greeted with a sweet downhill on the other side.

Along the rode to Globe, AZ

Beyond the great weather, another wonderful thing about  the Southwest and Texas is that the local cuisine seems to change every few days. Breakfast burritos, brisket, real Mexican food, BBQ, ice cream, and yes -- a slice of pie now and then -- very satisfying to a hungry cyclist and not to be missed.
 
Although my February plans for a warm weather ride in Death Valley have changed, and my 'bucket list' will not be any lighter before July, I still dream of spending time riding the warmer climes of the American Southwest during these cold months of winter in Missoula.

Check out one of these great trips or see our full 2012 tours schedule for other great adventures.

Photos by Arlen Hall

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's Tours Department. Our  2012 Tours  are filling up fast; grab a spot now!

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/02/southern-exposures-cycling-southwest.html

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