Take Off, Eh?

I think it is safe to say that when most Americans are asked about Canada, they think of mundane things like hockey, Molson Golden, hosers, and that town on the other side of Niagara Falls. Or, just as often, they can't think of anything at all. They almost certainly never think of scary evil-doer stuff. Except in the possible case where the person you are asking is a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry.

We don't even secure our border with Canada. The few times I traveled to Canada, I did not even have a passport. All I needed was my US drivers license. We have free trade agreements and other miscellaneous reciprocities dating back to the middle 19th century. We even have military policy, 'Fortress North America', that treats Canada as an extension of the US for defense purposes. Canadians are our friends. Members of the 51st state, even. No evil-doers in Canada, no sir.

This is why it was somewhat of a surprise today when our Canadian riders were denied passage through Fort Huachuca. The Fort Huachuca Reservation is pretty large. How large I do not know, but it takes well over an hour to circumnavigate it in a car. The large size of the reservation is presumably why they let people drive through it. Except Canadians, that is. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the securing of US military bases. It was just surprising that the Canadians were excluded, given the steady flow of unescorted civilian traffic that flows into the base.

Being a non-Canadian, I was able to ride through on my way to Elgin. Elgin is in the center of Arizona wine country. That is not a joke. They grow vinifera and make wine in the middle of the desert. I should have stopped in to taste some. However, my knee was feeling pretty good today so I was concentrating on getting a good workout. With the knee issues, I have not been able to get my power output and heart rate up to meaningful intensities in almost a week, so I took full advantage of the good day.

The Elgin Winery website says that they grow a variety of grapes, but most are Italian varietals. I would have thought that they would grow Syrah, given the fact that Shiraz does so well in the harsher Australian wine regions, but they seem to focused on Italian style wines. They have a 100% Nebbiolo that I would like to try. If they can make a good Barolo in the Arizona desert, I would be very impressed. There is also a Cabernet that they age in chestnut. Could be interesting, if not good. If we go through Elgin again next week I may try to stop in, although I would prefer to find a restaurant that serves it. Unfortunately, all the restaurants here are either chains (with chain wine lists), diners, or Mexican food stands. If I manage to try the wine, I'll report back.

Although I'm still icing my knee at every stop, it is definitely improving -- as the ride summary suggests when compared to other rides this week. Tomorrow, I intend to count my blessings and focus more on the pasty and coffee in Bisbee than on getting an intense workout. We do have to climb Mule Pass, but I think I should be able to spin easily for most of the 60 miles. Then, on Friday it's 90 miles back to Tucson and a rest day on Saturday. If I take it easy, I may start Week 3 with a clean bill of health.

Ride Summary

Distance: 60 miles
Speed (avg/max): 16.5 mph / 38 mph
Riding Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Power (avg/max) 156 watts / 705 watts
Calories Measured at Wheel: 2,043
Heart Rate (min/max/avg): 96 bpm / 183 bpm / 152 bpm

Miles this Year: 1148