2020 Just North of the Border 400km Brevet

Ride Report
March 2020

Dawn at Saguaro National Park East

Mike Sturgill gives the pre-ride brief

30 or so riders assembled at the Starbucks patio in the predawn darkness in Tucson Arizona. 1/3 selected the shorter 200km course to Sonoita and back, while the rest would complete a 400km loop though southeastern Arizona that would add Tombstone, Bisbee, Lowell, and Sierra Vista to the itinerary!

Many of the usual local suspects showed up for this one, plus a selection from northern climes looking for indoor trainer relief from west to east (Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Maine). Paul Foley and four more Coloradans from the Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (RMCC) added representation from the southwest high country.

Mike gathered us together for the rider brief and outlined the support that we would see during the day and logistics for entry to the Saguaro National Park. Lastly, he warned about the cold night time temperatures in Sonoita and the dangerous rumble strips on the AZ 83 descent! Finally at 0600, it was time to go and we rolled out and headed east.

Paul and Jennifer Danhaus at the park entry

The route heads east toward the mountains, but not so fast, as there are traffic signals every mile or so as we move through the city. The group split several times, but regrouped every so often at a red light before leaving the city behind. Rolling into the Saguaro National Park, Mike was waiting at the gate to help shepherd us through. Several riders had annual passes and each could take three riders through for free. We were about to break out the $15 entry fee, when Paul and Jennifer Danhaus rolled up on their tandem and his pass got the rest of the peloton through. Thanks Paul!

On the park loop road

The park loop road is one-way and with little traffic we can spread out and enjoy the views. But be careful, there are short steep rollers, before after, and during some twisty turns.

Paul Foley at the Rincon Lookout

Its only an 8 mile loop, and I wondered before the event why we would take this little detour. No wonder anymore, it was a spectacular route, well worth the price of admission ($15 for a single rider without a park pass).

We leave the park in a large group and a few riders roll off the front in the next 18 miles to the last water stop before the 30 mile climb toward Sonoita.

RMCC pace line (right to left; Paul, John, Mike, Pascal, Jason) with Leif Bjelland from MT on the front

A few of the RMCC guys rode last year's 400 and we agreed that this year's version would not be as flat, or fast! They were riding at a reasonable pace, and were willing to give this Arizona guy a day pass to join their club and we were off. Mike set up a water/refreshment control at mile 36, and we almost missed it. Circling back we topped off the bottles and headed out for the 30 mile climb on AZ 83.

Arizona Wine Country!

We worked well together and cleared the summit as winds started to build from the southeast. No worries, its a 10 mile rolling descent to the town of Sonoita, and working together, the quartering headwind was not much of a bother.

Leif, John, and Mike at the Sonoita Mercantile Control

Mike was ready with supplies and snacks for the 400 riders, not an official control for our route (It was for the 200 riders), so we topped off the bottles, picked up some supplies and headed out toward the next control in Elgin.

Heading to Elgin in strong cross winds!

Its about 5 miles to Elgin, heading east, the winds from the south continued to build, so much so that a natural break required some strategic positioning!

Trying to figure out the Information control in Elgin

Elgin was an information control that involved a bridge. After digging for pencils and cameras, we recorded the required information and headed north and back to AZ 82. The previously annoying crosswind suddenly became our best friend as we climbed back to the highway with a gentle and appreciated push from a steady tailwind.

On AZ 82 the route heads east and slightly north, and descends gently for about 20 miles to the San Pedro river. With the descent and a quartering tailwind we clipped along at 20-28 mph. From the river the route climbs for a few miles before heading south and up for the final 3 miles to Tombstone.

Several previous brevet routes through Tombstone use a 24 hour Circle K convenience store at the edge of town as the official control. Mike planned to staff this one and set it up in the heart of the Allen Street historic district. A much more interesting alternative!

The road is dirt, but you are not off route!

Paul finds a historic western Uber!

Wyatt Earp had the cowboys under control, no gun play today!

Lunch in Tombstone

Mike set up the lunch control in the shade on the sidewalk next to the Longhorn Restaurant.

John and Paul enjoy a break in the shade!

Can you see Sheep's Head?

Rolling out of the control, one of the historic actors was interested in how far we had ridden. He wanted to point out the 'Sheep's Head' rock formation on the distant Dragoon Mountains! Leaving town the route continues south and up before a short descent to the base on climb through Tombstone Canyon.

Fake smiles on the climb to Bisbee

Six miles with an average grade of 4% normally is not too bad. Today with swirling gusting headwinds, magnified by the venturi effect in Banning Creek Canyon, this one found us in the drops trying to get aero moving along at 6-8 mph!

Road monument at the summit above Bisbee

Mike ready for some descending

We nearly missed the turn off to the old highway that climbs a bit more to the summit above Bisbee. We regroup at the top before heading into town. Its an open control, but the High Desert Market and Cafe was the recommended stop so we pulled in there.

Much better than a Circle K control

That climb was a _______!

We took over the cafe and stocked up on water, soda, snacks, and a even some pizza! The folks were very friendly and interested in our adventure. After a nice break we remount our steeds and continue the descent through town.

Rolling through Bisbee

Paul, Mike and John at the Copper Queen overlook

We roll out of town past the Copper Queen mine and take a quick right on Erie Street. We are enjoying the views of the mine, then turn around and note that Erie Street seems to be frozen in the 50's!

Did not expect a 50's throwback town

Riders in historic Lowell

Call the Biker Police!

Described as walking into a 1950s post-apocalyptic landscape, expansion of the mine consumed most of the residential area of Lowell, dooming this commercial street. Local residents have restored buildings and vehicles to make this a very interesting detour.

Rolling out of the Bisbee/Lowell area, the route heads due west. The wind was very strong 25mph+ from the south, making for a very difficult crosswind. Traffic was heavy and the road surface on the shoulder was rough, but we were able to manage a rotating double paceline (thanks Paul) for a while. Unfortunately, the road surface continued to deteriorate and we fell back in single line. Happily the route will eventually turn south, but not before another 5-6 mile climb.

Finally reaching the summit, and turning south, we stop to turn on lights and don reflective gear. Rolling out, the speed jumps to 25-28 mph descending with a strong tail wind.

Dinner at Mickey D's in Sierra Vista

The control in Sierra Vista is open, and we select the McDonalds for a fine brevet meal! We roll out and continue to enjoy the tail wind for the next 6 miles to Mustang Corner. There is a store here, but with the next control only 20 miles away we press westward. The winds seemed to moderate as we climbed back toward Sonoita and next control.

Mike moved the control across the street to Dollar General store. Rolling in at 10pm, the only establishment open was the bar, so it was great to have Mike there again to check us in and resupply. Temperatures were dropping so we added layers before heading out.

There are 50 miles to go, with 10 miles of climbing before the long descent back to the I-10, and finally Tucson. Reaching the summit, the first 5 miles are steep with descending turns and rumble strips carved into the pavement to slow cars. On a bike, hitting those strips at speed causes severe vibration that could jar loose anything not fully secured on the bike! With little traffic, we are able to spread, out giving ourselves some room to dodge the strips and clear this section without incident!

We regroup after crossing the I-10, strip off a layer, and head out for the last 25 miles from the edge of Tucson to the finish. Initially the road is smooth, with few traffic lights, but as we get closer to the finish the road surface gets rough with lots of stop lights.

Burgers were better at the finish control, even at 0100!

Finish control options are Circle K after 10pm, or In-N-Out Burger before 1:30am, since its a few minutes before 1am, its an easy choice!

We enjoy our burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas in a nearly empty restaurant.  With 11,000 feet of climbing, and notorious high desert winds, its no wonder this years 400 took 5 hours longer than last year's to complete.

It was a difficult, but scenic and interesting course. Thanks Mike for adding another new route to the calendar! And thanks to the Paul and the RMCC crew for adding me to their posse!

Next up: The Kitt Peak 'selection' on March 28. Route distances of 200, 300, 400, and 600, there is something for everybody, click here to sign up!

Steve Atkins


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