My trusty steed, just before the ride.About 30 riders gathered in the predawn darkness of the Casa Grande Walmart parking lot for this year's Arivaca 400 Brevet. The ride starts at 5 am so I try to arrive between 4:15 and 4:30 so I can change into my riding kit in the restrooms. I am always struck by the ubiquitous greeter; "welcome to Walmart sir" at 4:20 in the morning! As I turn the corner into the brightly lit big box cavern, I discover most of the people actually in the store are randonneurs cued up in the rest room!
Susan Plonsky, our Regional Brevet Administrator, outlined the rules for the day and we soon were pressing off into the darkness that is Arizola road. 2 miles later we were on the main road and the pace picked up. I jumped in with the fast group and we were at the first check point in no time.
This group was running a little too hot for me, so I lingered a few minutes (Roger Peskett, Paul Danhause, and Dick Wiss left while I was milling around) with Russ Cummings and we set off together. We caught Dick Wiss and formed a trio that held together all the way to the Arivaca control. We shared brevet and PBP stories that made the rough Mission road to Helmet Peak go by quite quickly. We carefully descended into Green Valley, being especially alert not to miss the turn into the control in Green Valley (see last year's post). We reloaded and were on our way to the frontage road. FLAT!
Dick hit a deep crack in the pavement and pinch flatted. He changed the tube and we were soon back on our way and heading east onto Arivaca road. Here is where I started to suffer. Russ and Dick were just chatting away and I had to really work to stay with them. The scenery was spectacular, the hills were covered with bright yellow wildflowers. The rain has been very kind to the desert this year. Soon we were descending into Arivaca and were 'greeted' by a local that must have been irritated by all the cyclists on the road so he leaned into his horn as an extended welcome to Arivaca!
Susan Plonsky at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Preserve and Control PointI enjoyed a turkey wrap and Coke and was able to catch up with Susan. She does such a great job organizing our Brevets, I always feel badly about rushing through the control. Since I was feeling so crappy, when Russ and Dick were ready to go, I told them to go ahead, I was going to try to recover a bit. Susan and I were able to visit and catch up. When the next group of riders rolled in, I decided that I should get going and pushed off.
Riding alone on the road to Robles Junction was not a wise choice, as there was a strong headwind most of the way. About 2/3's of the way to Robles, Dave Lehnen and Mike and Susan Snow caught me and I jumped on. I was able to hang on and take a pull into the store at Robles. I reloaded and pushed out ahead of the group and told them they would probably sweep me up again. They did at Saguaro National Monument. I tacked on again but became chilled as we descended through Painted Rock and I peeled off to put on another layer at the convenience store.
They were getting ready to go at the Circle K in Marana when I arrived. I needed a longer break and wished them good luck. I picked up some beans and chocolate milk and plopped down on the floor in a corner of the store. Its always interesting to see the looks of Circle K customers as they walk in and see a cyclist on the floor enjoying a can of baked beans!
I knew it would be cold when I got back on the bike and it was. I again failed to consume enough calories during the day and would pay for it on a cold 45 mile slog into the finish. I grabbed a hot coffee in Eloy and finally rolled into the finish just before midnight.
So 18 hours and 48 minutes after we started, I was tapping on Susan's window in the Walmart parking lot to wake her up and turn in my brevet card. We said good by and I tossed my bike in the back of the Suburban and climbed into my sleeping bag. I couldn't fall asleep and decided to get something to eat and head home. I slipped into the house without waking the dogs and crashed in the guest room.
I always seem to suffer on the Arivaca 400. The 2010 edition was no exception!
Steve Atkins
Riding alone on the road to Robles Junction was not a wise choice, as there was a strong headwind most of the way. About 2/3's of the way to Robles, Dave Lehnen and Mike and Susan Snow caught me and I jumped on. I was able to hang on and take a pull into the store at Robles. I reloaded and pushed out ahead of the group and told them they would probably sweep me up again. They did at Saguaro National Monument. I tacked on again but became chilled as we descended through Painted Rock and I peeled off to put on another layer at the convenience store.
They were getting ready to go at the Circle K in Marana when I arrived. I needed a longer break and wished them good luck. I picked up some beans and chocolate milk and plopped down on the floor in a corner of the store. Its always interesting to see the looks of Circle K customers as they walk in and see a cyclist on the floor enjoying a can of baked beans!
I knew it would be cold when I got back on the bike and it was. I again failed to consume enough calories during the day and would pay for it on a cold 45 mile slog into the finish. I grabbed a hot coffee in Eloy and finally rolled into the finish just before midnight.
So 18 hours and 48 minutes after we started, I was tapping on Susan's window in the Walmart parking lot to wake her up and turn in my brevet card. We said good by and I tossed my bike in the back of the Suburban and climbed into my sleeping bag. I couldn't fall asleep and decided to get something to eat and head home. I slipped into the house without waking the dogs and crashed in the guest room.
I always seem to suffer on the Arivaca 400. The 2010 edition was no exception!
Steve Atkins
2 comments:
Sorry to hear that you suffered once again on the Arivaca 400k. At least you are consistent on this ride!
I may see you on the 600 this year, it looks like I'm on board for that one.
Lonnie, that would be great. Are you expecting a big turn-out for the Zion 200?
Post a Comment