When I hear “Arizona”, I usually think of the Grand Canyon and deserts; a region so hot and arid that rain evaporates by the time it’s halfway down to the ground. Yes, that happens. We saw it more than once on our Summer road trips, and it’s called virga.

A big bicycle ride in Arizona sounds to me like pedaling along in blistering heat and skin-parching dryness. No doubt that’s why Tour de Tuscon is in November, when temperatures are likely to range between about 50 and 73. For me that’s a good temperature range for a long ride; but November in Arizona is still apt to be very dry.

I’d want to have a 500-oz Camel-Bak. A 100-oz reservoir might not last too long. Unfortunately 500 oz of water would be too much weight on my back. It might be too unwieldy as well.

But aid stations are every 7-12 miles, which is lucky; so I’d be able to refill my 100-oz Camel-Bak reservoir often. I’m sure I would need to refill it often! My brother lived in Phoenix, AZ for 9-10 years. Several months after he moved there, I went out to visit. It was late July/early August; very hot and dry. I was never so thirsty in my life!

BTW, Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon. If you have the chance to visit Grand Canyon, DON’T PASS IT UP!!