End of Pavement (EOP) Whitney Classic Training Ride

Whitney Classic Appeal

The Whitney Classic is now only 2 weeks away, so its time to get in another long ride with some climbing; and update the Blog with a final fund raising appeal for the Whitney and Summit Adventure.

Click here to go to my fund raising page to learn more about the ride or to donate to Summit Adventure. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all those that have donated so far, you are awesome!

OK with the groveling for Summit out of the way, lets get to the ride!

Ride Report

I was thinking of starting this ride early to beat the heat and be home in time for the noon Mass. Happily, Michael stopped by for dinner and to watch the ASU football game last night, so it was football, pizza, wings, and staying up with Mike, bag the early start! Since Mike is serving at the 7 pm Mass at the Newman Center, there was no need to get going early (cue the ominous background music), I would grab that Mass!

I woke at 0517, made some coffee, and was on the bike at 0543. It was already 80 something, but with the light blazing into the predawn darkness it was time to start. It was calm making progress through through Tempe, and Mesa. As the sun came up, so did the wind. Reached the 202 on Brown road about an hour into the ride, it was really blowing strong from the northeast.

A quick bottle fill at the Chevron at Ellsworth road and it was back into the wind.

The Elks Lodge in Apache Junction

Turning onto the Apache Trail, the wind was right on the nose and strong. The Elks Lodge was a good spot to grab a photo of the flag in the wind. The parking lot was clear, so being downwind, if there were any Elks to be found, they would not be warned, but alas the parking lot was empty!

Reaching the switchbacks and the steep climbing the wind would come and go, alternating strong on the nose, then a nice push from behind as the directions changed. Soon, reaching the top of the first climb, it was back on the descent to Canyon Lake. Happily there was little traffic on the road, because the only smooth part of the pavement is right along the center line! Reaching the lake, other than a few jet skis playing in the white caps, there was very little boat traffic at the lake.

A few whitecaps on the lake

Another climb and descent just past the marina carries the route past Tortilla Flats. With a full bottle, there was no need to stop and refill, so it was on to the next climb. The route crosses Tortilla Creek, climbs briefly and then descends sharply back to the creek before the last 5 mile climb to the EOP. In the spring the water generally flows over the road, but rarely in the summer/fall.

After last weeks record rainfall of over 5 inches in one day, the Creek was still flowing, but not at the flash flood levels evidenced by the sand on many parts of the road way! 

Safe to cross today!

Nice pool on Tortilla Creek

The road turns right and all protection from the wind disappeared and it was a classic 'uphill into the wind' pull to the top!

Note the vegetation

This looks more like April than September!

Just past the EOP on the dirt!

The Garmin read 3 hours 23 minutes to the EOP, 69 minutes of climbing from Tortilla Flats. With the wind, and eager to put it on the tail, there was only time to take a few quick photos and get back on the road. The Garmin recorded a top speed of 53.4 mph on the 15 minute descent back to Tortilla Flats!!!

With both bottles empty, and a vending machine with cold water on the wooden sidewalk at the Mercantile, it was a welcome stop. A new 'fortune telling' machine has been installed nearby, because suddenly, you hear; "Howdy Partner" as a talking head comes to life welcoming passers by to Tortilla Flats. He goes on to say the Flats were named because a group of cowboys were trapped here during a flash flood for weeks with only a sack of flour for provisions. Hence "Tortilla Flats!" For another dollar he will share some more 'history.'

Ready to roll and eager to continue before the typical mid-day wind shift and building heat, it was back on the road for more one short and one longer climb out of the Canyon Lake area.

Nearing the top of the last climb, a sedan appeared in the rearview mirror. Not wanting to get caught behind a car on the twisting descent, I took the lane and hammered over the last few meters and started the descent. The sedan disappeared quickly and did not reappear until the road straightened and leveled out.

The run down Apache Trail went quickly with favorable winds and with one last stop for water at the Dash Inn at Brown Road, it was back into the trailer parks and horse corals that is Apache Junction! The temperature was building, and is typical the morning wind finally started it journey across the compass. Reaching Tempe about an hour later the route turns South for the last 2 miles. One last punch from the snake, the wind was right back on the nose!

Rolling into the driveway, the Garmin read 100.4 miles, 6 hours 15 minutes, 4400 feet of climbing, and 5383 calories burned. Lastly the temperature read 102 degrees!

Recovery drinks

Pouring a couple cans of Mountain Dew over ice, stripping of the salty kit, it was into the pool to cool off. Of course; Rocky, Tina, and Rex hate to see anyone swim alone, so add three tennis balls and it was party time!

Very happy Labs

An earlier start would have taken some of the headwind out of the equation, and most of the mid-day heat, but it was well worth the extra suffering to enjoy the football game with Mike and Debby!
Next week, the schedule calls for one or two repeats on the End of the World Hill to check out the equipment on high angle climbs, and then its off to Lone Pine California for the Whitney Classic!

Thanks again for your support!

Steve Atkins

Here is the data from today's ride!