Views along my rollerblading route

After more than three years of searching, and a move to the other side of town, I now have perhaps the most gorgeous rollerblading route a gal could ever dream up.

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson
A view of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Most people I see rollerblading skate like an automaton. They lumber on wheels. For them, a sidewalk in a city park is fine, and there are plenty of those around here.

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

For me, a good skate involves fast speeds and glute-burning hills. A road needs to be wide enough to handle a wide stride, and be relatively smooth. And this last requirement is probably the most challenging part of the equation.

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

Heavier traveled desert roads have a much higher ratio of rock to asphalt otherwise it would be a goopy mess in the heat of the summer. That leaves for a bumpy surface which I don't find very much fun. (I'm spoiled by smoother surfaces back east.)

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson
The Rincon Mountains in a shroud of clouds.

But these roads I found are blissfully low in traffic so the asphalt is almost what I'd see back east. Not quite, but close enough.

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

People do come here to walk their dogs, and access the Agua Caliente trail, but for the most part, these are quiet desert SMOOTH roads TEEMING with birds!

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

Anyone who says "nothing lives in the desert" clearly has spent no time in the Sonoran Desert. Not all deserts are created equal!

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

I don't rollerblade for exercise. I rollerblade for therapy.

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson

Rollerblade route - Rincon Mountains Tucson
You can see my shadow where I'm standing on the road taking this picture.

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