Cyclewhitney: March 2025

Ride Report

March 29, 2025

Mike Sturgill gives the pre-ride brief

21 riders gathered at the El Con Mall Starbucks in Tucson for the 2025 Kitt Peak brevets of 200, 300, 400, and 600 kilometers. It was an early start time; 0500 and for yours truly that meant setting the alarm for 0245 and getting on the road by 0305 to arrive at 0445. Time to get set up, but too early for a Starbucks coffee and/or bathroom break, they didn't open until 0530!

Brian McGuire pre-rode the 600 brevet solo earlier in the week and would provide fantastic support all day!

Paul Foley avoiding the deadly trolley tracks on University Drive

Many of the usual Arizona suspects showed up for this one; and quite a few snowbirds from Colorado, Michigan, and New Jersey were looking forward to a day of calm temperate riding in the Arizona desert.

We roll out of the El Con Mall and head through the University of Arizona campus to meet the first hazard of the day. The trolley tracks on University Drive. They go for about an mile, and if you have the misfortune of riding into one, well, your day might end early!

Heading toward Gates Pass

We rode mostly as large group until we crossed under I-10 and started our way up toward Gates Pass. There is a lot of climbing later in the day, so I simply drifted off the back of the group and rode up and over the pass at my own pace.

From the top of Gates pass, its about 21 miles to the support stop at Three Points/Robles Junction. Its mostly downhill, and predicted winds from the west were forecast to start later in the morning. So I dialed up the pace and arrived at Three Points in about the middle of the group.

Brian McGuire was there with a smile and lots of food and water. So I made a quick reload, and headed inside the store for a natural break. Getting back to the bike, Paul and Vern from Colorado were just rolling out. I quickly refilled the bottles, bid farewell to Brian and set off to catch them.

Paul driving the pace toward Kitt Peak

They were soft pedaling and I was able to rejoin quickly. The wind was just starting to build from the West (our direction) and it was great to have company to share the work and conversation for the next 15 miles to the base of the Kitt Peak Climb.

Sells is the blur in the distance on the left!

We stopped at the base of the climb to strip off some layers and all set off at our own pace for the 12 miles to the top. As we got higher the temperature dropped and the winds really picked up. They were steady out of the west at 20-30 mph. Picture water running through rocky rapids, accelerating in narrow spots and even flowing upstream in places. That is what the wind felt like going up. Around one switchback; wind accelerating through a road cut felt like 40 mph on the nose; around another there was a nice push from behind!

Baboquivari in the distance

Finally reaching the western slopes of Kitt Peak, a bit more than halfway up, Baboquivari peak comes into view, and the winds were mostly cross or tail to the top.

Still a mile to go!

The multiple telescopes on the peak come into view, and you would think the climbing would level out. It does not! There is still 2 more miles of steading climbing to reach the visitor center.

The bikes taking a breather

Brian was wearing all his layers!

When I arrived most of the riders were huddled against the wall the visitor center, or going inside to get out of the high winds and cold temperatures. Empty water bottles, gloves, hats, and wrappers would go flying if you were not careful.

Brian made sure we had plenty to eat, and also warned us to be extremely careful on the descent with the wind conditions! Good advice!

I put on all my layers, including my balaclava and rain jacket for the descent and was still cold! Reaching the bottom, the route continues west to Sells to the control and turn-around there at the Bashas grocery.

With no one in sight, I stripped off my layers and headed into the wind for the 20 mile run to Sells figuring to tack onto a group when they caught me.

Locals at the meeting place in Sells

Before I knew it, I was on the outskirts of town, and two of the lead riders were heading back. I arrived at the Bashas expecting to see some riders but there were none. But they left some half-full gallons of water on the sidewalk and I was able to top off, spending less than a minute at the control! We loop through town, so I didn't see anyone else until I was outside the city limits and several others were headed in.

Kitt Peak in the distance

The road surface was fantastic, wide smooth shoulder, very little traffic, and the best part, tail winds of 20 mph gusting to 30! In fact rolling along at 20 mph, it sometimes felt like riding in dead air. Going to Sells I averaged 15 mph, on the return the average was 20, with a top speed on a slight downgrade of 35mph!

Back at Three Points

I rolled into Three points and most of the group that was there were going to continue to Arivaca for the 400 or 600 brevets. They rolled out shortly after I arrived.

Chips, Coke, shade and company at Three Points!

I took a long break catching up with Brian and reloading my supplies. Paul and Vern rolled in shortly after me and shot this photo of yours truly and Brian in the shade and out of the wind!

Paul and Vern from Colorado

Paul and Vern tried to convince me to ride with them to Arivaca! Sorry I signed up for the 300, so luckily I had no choice if I wanted to complete my brevet!

Mostly tailwinds from Marana to Tucson

The route continues east out of Three Points for 10 miles to Sandario Road where we head North. Luckily the crosswinds were slightly off the tail, so no big help, but not holding me back either. I stopped at the Subway in Picture rocks for dinner and a break from the cross winds. Five more miles of Sandario Road, and we turn right toward Tucson. From here its only a few miles to The Loop.

The Loop!

The Loop, a 100+ mile bike path in Tucson has an extension to Marana. Its a wide multi-use path, with many underpasses and bridged crossings all the way into Tucson. I covered the 18 miles of this section of The Loop in about an hour, very fast for city riding, even with a tail wind since there are few if any stops. We exited The Loop about 5 miles from the finish. Mike selected one of the Bike Boulevard routes from here to the finish at El Con Mall with wide residential streets and on demand traffic crossing signals.

The finish at 13 hours 13 minutes

This was the first time I had taken this route to the El Con mall. At the end of these rides, you pretty much want it just to be over. Miles of stop and go traffic can be quite annoying. I think this finish was one of the best in terms of low traffic and very few stops. Hats off to Mike Sturgill for great route planning and Brian McGuire for being the ever-present with support during the day!