2019 Saguaro Lake 200km Brevet

Ride Report
January 2019

40 riders gather for the start

About 40 riders assembled in the Fountain Hills Safeway parking lot for the first event of the 2019 Arizona Brevet Series. The 200km route consists of two loops of 100km each, so in addition to the brevet, a 100km populaire option was available. The second loop is new this year and includes a run up to Carefree Arizona through Scottsdale providing more fantastic desert scenery and less city riding through North Phoenix.

Mike Sturgill, RUSA Regional Brevet Administrator and Brian McGuire would provide support throughout the day.

The route starts uphill with some sharp rollers to wake the sleeping legs and provides a much needed warm-up (temperatures were in the mid 40's), before descending to Shea Boulevard and the Beeline Highway. At the start the computer unexpectedly powers off, so after a quick recycle, we roll out near the back of the bunch for a more civilized start. After a quick catch-up with Tom Baker and chatting about PBP plans we hit the first sharp roller. Descending the second roller, the front group comes into view stopped at the light at Shea, grabbing a gear and accelerating we hit the intersection just as the light turns yellow and rejoin the front group.

The bunch is huge and enjoying the downhill to the Verde River. Crossing the river the road tilts up for the 8 mile climb to the Bush highway exit. The pace picks up and the group starts to thin as riders slip off the back.

Bush Highway headed toward the lake

Approaching the Bush highway turnoff, a group of refugees from the front group form a small group and we work well together all the way to the start of the Usury Pass climb.

RBA Mike Sturgill at the Usury Pass Control

Usury Pass is a popular climb and many riders were out enjoying the morning. Its a 3.5 mile climb, but with over 100 miles to get to the finish its best to settle into your own pace and enjoy the view. At the top, a large chunk of the front group was in the control, and not needing supplies, it was a quick hello/check-in with Mike and back onto the road.

The descent is fast and with a wide shoulder, very comfortable. A few minutes after leaving the control, there is a rider on the side of the road waving as cyclists go by. Nearing her, it was clear she was trying to flag someone down. Grabbing the brakes, she says she needs help with a mechanical. She had repaired her flat tire, but was having difficulty getting the rear wheel back on the bike. Shifting her rear derailleur to the small cog it was a snap to get it back in. 30 seconds of stop time for a good deed and its back on the road for the decent to Power Road.

Yours truly and Russ Cummings on the Bush Highway

After hitting the King Kong descent, the route turns east on the Bush Highway, and into a building headwind. Just then Russ Cummings rolls up with a hearty hello and we get a chance to catch up under blue skies and gorgeous desert scenery.

Joining some fast 100km riders

As we chat, a half-dozen or so riders roll past and we decide to hop on for the short descent back to Salt River Recreation for some company and relief from the wind!

Bush Highway and Four Peaks

A series of scenic rollers along the Salt River and Saguaro Lake are next and we settle into our own pace and the group thins back out!

Brian Mcguire at the Butcher Jones water stop

Brian McGuire set up a water/snack stop at the Butcher Jones turnoff near Saguaro Lake, with a full bottle there was no need to stop, just slow down and let Brian know we are passing through. The route tilts up for a climb back to the Beeline Highway. Traffic is still light, and the views of Four Peaks with a light dusting of snow are fantastic.

Verde River near Fort McDowell

Back on the Beeline Highway the wind is now on the tail and its easy to hold a 25+ mph pace all the back to the Verde River. Hang a right at the casino and soon we are making our way into the Safeway parking lot. Mike Sturgill has taken up residence at the Subway (a 6" sandwich, chips, and a drink are included in the entry fee). We plop down, check in, pass on the sammy, and head to the truck to reload and change layers.

The base layer, light wool jersey, jacket and full leg warmers were great at 7:30am, but were quite sweaty 4 hours later. No worries, leaving the jacket and leg warmers in the car, slathering up with sunscreen, and after refilling the bottles and pockets with fresh calories, its back on the road for the second loop.

Just a mile or so up the road the Garmin locks up. Normally a power recycle cures the problem and with the restart, no loss of data, or interruption of the track. Not today, the computer did a full reset, and while it saved the loop one data, all the counters reset to -0- ;-/!

"Easy to Miss' bike path entrance

The second loop includes a link from Fountain Hills to Scottsdale through a gated community that has provided a bicycle easement to pass through. After a short climb, the route descents on a bike/hike path to connect the two towns.

Bike Path

Cyclists Welcome!

Exiting the bike path, the route appears to reach a dead end at a gated community. But wait, the gates to this community are offset so bikes can pass through and use 145th Way to connect to Via Linda. It is a much improved route that includes a little more climbing, adds some nice views, and avoids Shea Boulevard (6 lanes, 50 mph speed limit, and no bike lanes) to get to Scottsdale. Descending on the brakes to obey the speed limit, we don't want to lose this easement!

The Boulders at El Pedregal

The route heads into and through the planned communities at the foot of McDowells making use of new roads with ample shoulders/bike lanes and relatively few traffic interruptions. Turning right on Pima Road, it is 8 miles of gentle climbing through beautiful Sonoran Desert before heading west to the Boulders and north to the control in Carefree.

Carefree, what's with the cactus hats?

Tom Altemus rolls up as we head into the Carefree control (Shell Station/Convenience store) to get a Frappachino and a signature for the brevet card. He was having pedal problems and dropped out of the front group to made a few adjustments. As we were heading out Russ and a two other riders rolled in. We head out with Tom and trade pulls all the way to Dynamite road.

Pinnacle Peak from Dynamite Road

Its a 3 mile climb and Tom goes off the front as we hit our own pace. Tom gets caught at the light on Alma School at the top and we rejoin and work together for the 9 mile descent and 12 miles of rollers to the finish.

Tom Altemus leads the way down Nine Mile Hill

More great views of Four Peaks on the descent of Nine Mile Hill. With increased housing development in the area, each time through it seems E. Rio Verde road gets wider and better as it is improved to support the increasing traffic. Still a few miles with no shoulder on the top half, but the pavement has been resurfaced and the bottom half has a wide paved shoulder.

With light winds on the nose during the descent, and cross winds after turning south at the bottom towoard the finish, it was a little more work than normal passing through Rio Verde and the McDowell Mountain Park. Soon desert gives way to development and we are on the last climb into Fountain Hills. Sharing stories of mutual suffering on this particular stretch of pavement with Tom made the climb go by in a flash and soon we rolled into the finish at the Starbucks inside the Safeway store. Mike was there to check us in and put this one in the books!

A great day on the bike, connecting with old friends on a spectacular course.

Next up is the Saguaro National Park 300, come join us!

Steve Atkins

Ride Data: Loop 1   Loop 2