2018 Scorpion 600km Brevet

Ride Report
April 2018

Sunrise near Carefree AZ, about 90 minutes into the ride

A dozen or so riders lined up for the 2018 version of the Scorpion 600km brevet. In addition to the 600, several other ride options were on offer, so unlike last year, there was quite the crowd of randonneurs milling about the Red Roof Inn at 4:30 in the morning!

My companion for the next two days

After completing the registration paperwork and downing the first of many Starbucks's Frappuccinos, it was time for a rider brief from RUSA RBA Mike Sturgill and to get this one underway.

Mike Sturgill gives directions to start

The start included a couple or tricky turns through the adjacent shopping center, but soon we were rolling along, quite quickly, with the three powerful engines from the Calgary Express (Steve, Steve, and Paul) leading the way. My turn at the front came about 12 miles into the ride and while we were motoring along at a brisk pace, it was nice to be in a large strong group. Drifting back after my pull, it seemed like my rear tire may have been getting soft. Wishfully thinking it might be a ripple in the pavement, but after another rider drifted back after her pull, it was clear the tire was soft. The group stopped at the light on Scottsdale Road, and a quick squeeze of the tire confirmed my fear, a flat only 15 miles into the ride!

I pulled out of the pace-line into a well-lit shopping center to make the repair, as the group continued up toward Carefree and first control. After a quick stop of only 6 minutes or so, the repair was complete and it was back on the road, but that fast train was nowhere in sight!

Spectacular sunrise

The ride continues to tilt uphill toward the first control in Carefree. While somewhat concerned that that 50% of my spare tubes (1 of 2) was used only 15 miles into the ride, it was a relief to dial back the pace, enjoy the fantastic sunrise, take a few photos, and catch up on some calories riding solo!

The Boulders on the approach to Carefree

Rolling into the Carefree control, Mike Sturgill was there and said "At least I beat one rider to the first control!" He had to start the other shorter distance events that were running at the same time. Brian was just rolling out as I came in and the fast train was long gone! Double bonus: Not needing get a receipt since Mike signed my brevet card, and another Frappuccino out of Mike's cooler! Switching from clear (night glasses) to sunglasses and downing the creamy, caffeinated, sugary delight, it was a quick 3.5 minute control stop and back out on the road.

The route descends to Cave Creek, and connects with the Carefree highway. Approaching I-17, Brian came into view, but he decided to stop at the last water stop until Wickenburg, since my bottles were nearly full, I pressed onward. 

Continuing westward, with a slight tailwind, traffic was heavier than last year's event, especially near Lake Pleasant. Its a long pull but soon the traffic on US 60 to Wickenburg came into sight. With an ample shoulder that is actually ride-able, it was a welcome relief from the narrow Carefree Highway (AZ 74) with is nearly unridable shoulders. Heavy northbound traffic provided a welcome draft and offset some of the crosswind for the 10 or so miles to the next control in Wickenburg.

77 miles in, and 10 minutes at the Wickenburg control provided another Frappuccino, turkey sandwich, and chance to reload the water bottles before rolling out for the next pull to Congress and the start of Yarnell hill. Exiting US60, AZ89 heads due north and has been resurfaced since last year, a welcome relief from last year's bumpfest.

Yarnell hill in the distance

Yarnell hill starts a few miles outside of Congress. Its about 6 miles of steady climbing on an average grade of 6%. The new State Park in honor of the fallen Grant Mountain Hotshots (19 Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013), is a about 2/3rd's of the way up the climb. A 2.85 mile hike leads from the highway to an observation deck that overlooks the place where they made their last stand when shifting winds pushed the fire into their position. Putting that on the list of places to visit for a time when the clock is not running, the climbing continued.

Two other riders from the event, Catherine and Ray came into view, and we started a game of leapfrog that would go on for the balance of the day. Reaching the top of the hill, with steady winds from the south, it seemed like it took no time and little effort on the descent into Peeples valley. About 100 miles into the ride, but not an official control, the Mountainaire Convenience store with a shaded patio and seats makes this a perfect stop between the official controls at Wickenburg and Prescott.

Reload in Peeples Valley

They were serving free Root Beer floats as part of a customer appreciation day, but I declined and loaded up on sugar, salt, and caffeine in more familiar forms!
 

Add more sunscreen!

Its 18 more miles and 2500 feet of climbing to the high point of 6100 feet before the final descent into Prescott. So without a cloud in the sky it was time to lather up with more sunscreen. The lotion and road grime combined to form a mud pack worthy of some high-end day spa!

Climb to Prescott

The climbing is steady past Wilhoit, but once in the mountains, the road twists, turns, rises, and falls until reaching the 6100 elevation marker a few miles outside of Prescott!

High point of the ride

One more roller, and its mostly downhill to the next control in the historic Town Square. At the edge of town the Calgary express was heading up and back after making their control stop in town.

Historic Yavapai County Courthouse

A receipt from any establishment on the square, including Whiskey Row, is the required proof of passage for this control. Skipping the whiskey and pizza joints, I hopped into a burger/ice cream shop, just looking for water, a coke, and a receipt. But the smell of fresh french fries lured me into a full stop for a large order for fries and a Pepsi! The fries took some time to prepare, but I was able to reload the bottles and get the bike ready for the next leg while I waited for the salty potatoes to arrive. I was especially glad I carried a lightweight cable lock on this ride so I could secure my steed to a light post just outside! Unable to finish the fries, but tucking a few into a Ziploc for some pocket food, I pushed out of the square.
 

Outbound

The longer stop, and building headwind made the climb out of town somewhat less enjoyable, but soon reached the "Welcome to Prescott" pullout conveniently located near the top of the climb to finish the fries!

Once at the 'top' it was a series of fast twisting downhills with unpredictable cross winds punctuated with short climbs. Finally reaching Wilhoit, its steady downhill, but with the heavy cross and headwinds, it took extra time to reach the foot of the climb back into Peeples valley.

Ray and Catherine were reloading at the Mountainnaire Convenience store, and after procuring a Frappuccino and a can of Campbells Chicken Noodle soup (about a weeks worth of sodium in one can!), I joined them in the shade of the porch. 

Its a few miles of climbing to Yarnell before the 6 mile E-Ticket descent back to Congress. Happily there was no traffic on the descent allowing full use of the road for some tricky corners with random crosswinds!

New pavement between Congress and Wickenburg

Rolling through Congress it was again onto fresh pavement and a chance to switch to clear glasses and put on the lights and reflective gear! As the sun set, the light of Wickenburg came into view and after a short control stop it was back onto US 60 for the long run to Sun City and the last control before the sleep stop.

Ray and Catherine were there when I arrived, and after getting a receipt I pushed out quickly. Its about 15 miles to the Red Roof Inn, and of course, they caught me as we made the last few turns to the stop at about 11:30pm.

Wishing I had taken up Mike on his offer to put some dinner food in my room, I checked in, stored the bike and hopped in the car to the nearby Dennys. Food was good, but service was slow, and minutes if not an hour of sleep was wasted on my Grand Slam Breakfast!

I was in the sack at 1 am, and planned to get up at around 5 or 6. Waking up at 5, I grabbed some breakfast treats Mike had left for me at the front desk, and pushed out into the pre-dawn darkness.

Great addition to the Day 2 route

Day 2 starts in the city but soon was on the new Dove Valley road, new and lightly traveled, this road was a great change to the route. Eventually this valley will become developed but on this morning it was a great place to be for the sunrise!

The next control is on Dynamite Road, at the top of 9 Mile Hill. However, it could have been named 9 Mile Downhill for the decent to Rio Verde! After that welcome descent, about 10 miles of classic rollers lead to the next control at Fountain Hills. Rolling into the Chevron station, who else, but Ray was there finishing his stop!

Verde River from the Beeline Highway Bridge

We left together but soon Ray was up the Beeline Highway at a faster pace, he took a break at the Bush Highway turnoff, but I rolled through wanting to get started on the descent to Saguaro Lake and the Salt River.

More new pavement on Bush Highway

Over the past several years, sections of the Bush Highway have been repaved and/or slightly widened. One of the last sections to be completed is the run from Salt River Recreation to the climb up King Kong (Power Road). On the Saguaro 200 earlier in the season it was still under construction and quite rough. With 325 miles in the saddle so far on this brevet, any smooth pavement was welcome relief!

Feeling the sun/heat, radiating from the new pavement, it was time to find some shade and again lather up with another sunscreen mud pack! A small tree at the Salt River Recreation entrance gate was a perfect place for a stop. Ray flashed by while I enjoyed the shade!

Rolling into the Subway (control point), Ray had just arrived so we enjoyed our lunch together. Chips (salt), Coke (sugar/caffine), and a 6" Turkey (protein/carbs), covered most the important food groups. I was ready to get this one done and pushed out after a quick stop.

Strong winds in Fountain Hills

Last climb, Shea Boulevard at Fountain Hills

The route continues through Mesa, back to the Beeline Highway and up to Fountain Hills. Heat, wind, and a few more climbs were the order of the afternoon. Exiting Shea Boulevard after the Fountain Hills descent, its 25 miles of city/residential streets to get back to the start/finish at the Red Roof Inn at I-17. The route is probably the best way across town, using residential routes with bike paths to avoid the heavy traffic on the main roads in Scottsdale and north Phoenix, However, with all the turns and traffic stops, it was hard to get momentum going again. That said, this is still the best possible route across town avoiding major roads and traffic.

One more stop for water with about 8 miles to go and this one was finally in the books 34 hours and 13 minutes after our early start on Saturday morning!

Next up, the Blue Ridge to Bay 1200!

In the books!

Steve Atkins

Ride with GPS data