Ron Arenas: ‘Any day you can be cycling is a good day’ as he heads to Tour de Scottsdale

This time, Ron Arenas will be ready to conquer Thompson Peak in the second HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale.

Arenas, now in his 12^th year as a cyclist, is  ready to have some fun – along with nearly 3,000 cyclists – in the Scottsdale event on Saturday. He’ll be riding in the 30-mile event. There is also a 62-mile ride.

“I liked the event because it was smaller (than El Tour de Tucson),” said Arenas, a three-time El Tour cyclist and someone who will return again.  “I like going to the Expo and seeing what I can spend my money on.”

He loved the event so much last year – even though it was a bit tough – he’s back again to do it all over again. Last year, he – and a group of about 15 cyclists from Tucson – made the trek up to ride in the inaugural event.

“I liked it, but I didn’t prep for it,” he said. “There’s 1,500 feet of climbing so I was dying out there.”

So, the first year was a get-your-feet-wet moment for this year where he’s “prepared a lot” for Saturday.

“Last year, I was the last one of the 15 coming in,” he said.

This year there will be a smaller group of five in the ride.

Arenas said he loves the course, “a lot more climbing than in Tucson,” he said. “Tucson’s course is flatter but challenging. This one (Scottsdale) is challenging too.”

He said he doesn’t remember his time last year, but “it was horrible” but “barring any injuries or accidents I should do way better than last year.”

And besides, he said, “any day you can be cycling is a good day.”