The Invisible Man: Best Rides of 2014

TNFFR Ride and Taqueria Juanitos afterwards.

Big group of both old and new school riders terrorizing the foothills.

Stupor Bowl Sunday Fixed Lemmon Ride with Mang

Went back up to Summerhaven on super bowl Sunday and recreated the original post office pic (sans the jorts).

Fixed Arivaca Ride with Blk Tlvra, T-Stuntz, and Mang

One of the great rides in Southern Arizona. Even though the café was closed for cokes, we still had a killer time and even ran into Gary Sax who was hiking in the area.

First Century with Mang

After buying Raw Dawg’s roadie, Mang took me out on a century that included Redington, SNPE, Colossal Cave, Vail, and Sahuarita with a rad rest inside the pecan orchards.

First Climb up Beehive/Sorrel

Ridiculous 25-30% climb finally tackled thanks to the roadie.

First Climb up Hidden Canyon with Kim

Probably the hardest hill climb you can find in the Tucson area. Long, narrow and brutal. I had to unclip at one point and while trying to get back in the pedals flipped over backwards… It’s that steep. Over 30%

TNFFR Up Sabino Canyon

You can never hate on a night ride up Sabino Canyon. Fixed makes it even better UNLESS your headlight turns off with every bump making your descent with all the bridges the scariest thing ever. Had to mooch off Rafa’s light beam.

First Time up to Steward Observatory

Was supposed to go ride up Kitt Peak with some bros, but they bailed on me so I finally rode up Steward Observatory on Lemmon on a rad solo mish.

PCH with Mang, Raw Dawg and T-Stuntz

Zamn. This was a long time coming. Met up with the crew in the East Bay and we all headed over to the City and then out and up PCH. Super intimidating at times on those narrow roads, but absolutely worth it.

Mt. Diablo with Mang, Raw Dawg and T-Stuntz

A few days after PCH, we rolled over the Oakland Hills and up Mt. Diablo. T-Stuntz rode repeats up that gnarly ass final top section for shits and giggles. Then when Mang, Raw Dawg and I opted for a BART ride back home from Walnut Creek, Tyler went and rode a few more thousand feet of climbing. Mang, T-Stuntz and I PARTIED on Chinese food in downtown Oakland while the doggy went to work.. poor guy.

Solo Kitt Peak

Went out one morning and rode up Kitt Peak on the roadie and posed as mountain lion bait. I know they’re watching.

Introduction to Sin Vacas/Pima Canyon Estates/Ventana Canyon

What has now become go-to terrain, I had never been inside these gated communities. Some of the finest streets in Tucson with some of the heaviest hill climbs.

Darien’s Not-a-Race Fixed on Mt. Lemmon

I was the only person riding fixed on this “not a race” up Lemmon. Didn’t come in last.

Finally Jumping in that One Fountain with Mang after SNPE

Perfect, hot ass fall day. Jordan blew out a tire and had limp home while Mang and I went climbing in foothills and over to SNPE. On the way home noticed that one fountain was on. We went for a soak. So rad.

Bartlett Lake Scott P Group Ride (and crash)

Scot P was in Phoenix for a visit and set up a group ride to Bartlett Lake. Mang and I went up the night before, ate shitty food and slept in a cheap motel. The next morning had an amazing ride with good people… until I crashed on my head less than 3 miles from the finish. Fuck. Still feeling that.

State Bikes Phoenix to Tucson Fixed with Ty Bush

Been wanting to do this forever. Finally took up the challenge even though I was still recovering from my crash a week earlier. Took the airport shuttle to Sky Harbor, put my bike together and rode to the slummiest, most cracked out motel 6 in Tempe. Ate bad ass Ethiopian food and slept for a few hours with toilet paper jammed in my nostrils so I didn’t have to smell the room. Met up with everyone at State super early and slayed it all the way to Tucson. 120 miles. Felt great the whole way. This was easily my most most epic fixed gear ride.