Ride Report
December 15, 2018
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| Groupo Compacto on the Beeline Highway |
Seven riders, including Arizona RBA Mike Sturgill, lined up at 0700 in the Walmart parking lot in Chandler for the last brevet on the
azbrevet.com 2018 calendar. Adapted from Carlton van Leuven's permanent of the same name, this is another spectacular Arizona brevet. As an added bonus, ADOT recently completed a 'pavement restoration and safety project' on AZ88, covering the previously tooth jarring road surface from the Lost Dutchman Park to Tortilla flats. A 'butta' smooth road surface, added paved turnouts, and improved grades on several switchbacks make this section a climbers delight! Before that fun starts, we have 63 miles put in the rear-view mirror!
The route heads through Chandler and Mesa on Arizona Avenue before leaving the urban sprawl, entering the desert, and becoming the Beeline Highway. Here the climbing begins.
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| Carlton in the No Parking Zone at the Baja Control |
The group worked well together on the Beeline and arrived intact at the Baja Convenience store and control at Fort McDowell. Mike signed our brevet cards as we attended to filling bottles and gathering supplies. The EOP is a simple route, this control at Ft. McDowell, just an informational control at the EOP, then the finish control back at the Walmart! We rolled out separately but would see each other later as the day progressed.
After crossing the Verde River the climbing continues to the Saguaro Lake/Bush Highway exit for a fast and scenic descent to Saguaro Lake. A hearty up and over just past the lake and then its rollers along the Salt River with scenic cliffs and great views. The road surface here is only a year or so old, and much of it has a paved shoulder!
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| On the Usery Pass Climb |
Did we mention this route has very few turns? Turning left onto Usury Pass Road, it was only the second navigation turn, and 43 miles into the ride! Usury Pass is quite popular with cyclists and more than a few were out this morning. Its a steady grade, and except for the gunfire at the top (always startling) from the Usery Pass Shooting Range, an uneventful climb.
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| Trusty steed at the Usury Mountain Park Headquarters |
The Usury Mountain Park Headquarters is just 100 meters off the route near Usury Pass and a handy place to take a 'natural break' and refill water bottles.In a pinch, there are vending machines inside!
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| Impromptu water stop |
On a recon ride the previous week, we mentioned to Mike Sturgill that the Dash Inn Convenience store (last chance for water before heading to Canyon Lake) had been converted to a restaurant and would not be available as a water stop. Carlton volunteered his house, just two houses off the route near Signal Butte Road), as an impromptu water stop. With both bottles filled at the pass, no stop was necessary and we roll on through!
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| Superstition Mountains from Brown Road |
Soon Mesa gives way to Apache Junction and it is back into more scenic desert.
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| AZ 88 The Apache Trail |
The only narrow highway on the route is along the AZ 88 Apache Trail. Also recently resurfaced, but without a shoulder or room outside the fog line, this six mile section can be somewhat nerve racking. Traffic was generally light, with little boat traffic, and most drivers were willing to share road and pass safely.
After reaching the Needle Vista lookout, the speed limit drops for a twisting steep climb, before a fantastic descent to Canyon Lake. Here the pavement was 'butta' smooth, plenty wide, with paved pullouts on most of the hairpin turns.
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| Scenic overlook of Canyon Lake |
Its a short climb before the fast, fun, and scenic descent to Canyon Lake. With no traffic to slow down the progress, and only stopping for a photo at the overlook, soon the route crosses two single lane bridges as it winds around the lake toward Tortilla Flats.
Passing the marina, its another short climb and descent to Tortilla Flats, then one more punch to get on the main climb of the day to the EOP.
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| Fantastic views on the climb to the EOP |
About 4 miles of 6% climbing with a few punches at just under 10% bring us to that mythical place where the pavement ends! The road continues on to Apache and Roosevelt Lakes, but that's not for us today!
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| EOP |
After answering the question on the brevet card, noting the time, taking in the scenery, and a fig bar or two, its time to make a U turn and head back!
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| At the EOP U Turn |
The annoying headwind on the climb was now a tailwind and with that extra push, it was a thrilling ride with the computer recording a maximum speed on this section of 46+mph!
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| Rolling through Tortilla Flats |
With the tailwind and not wanting to lose momentum, we roll right through Tortilla Flats, thick with Harley's and tourists enjoying the old west saloon, restaurant, and general store. Local lore has it that a group of cowboys were stranded here after a flash flood. With only a cask of flour, the cowboys survived on tortillas until the flood water subsided. From then on the creek was known as Tortilla Creek, and the bivouac site, Tortilla Flats!
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| Love that Butta' smooth pavement! |
Nice view of the new pavement after climbing out of the Tortilla Creek drainage, great road surface and 'S' turns to carve all the way back to the lake.
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| Perfect day in the desert |
As the day went on, the traffic continued to thin out on the climbs and descents, so it was easy to enjoy the desert views. The 6 miles on the narrow portion of the AZ88 went by quickly with a stout tailwind and soon it was back into the urban sprawl of Apache Junction, Mesa, and finally Chandler for the final 30 miles to the finish.
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| Its in the books! |
After what seemed like an endless string of red lights along Pecos Road, it was great to finally roll into the parking lot in just under 9 hours, and put this one in the books. Roger Peskett stopped by, already packed, enjoying a post ride snack, and ready to go. So we compared notes on the ride and
PBP plans before saying our farewell, until the first brevet of the 2019 season, the
Saguaro Lake 200km. Come out and join us!
Steve Atkins
Click here for GPS Data
