2022 North Valley 300km Brevet

Salt River in the Tonto National Forest

Ride Report

February 2022

Mike Sturgill gives the rider briefing

The AZ Brevet Series continues with three new routes on offer, the North Valley 123km, 200km, and 300km Brevets. About two dozen riders lined up at the Coffee King parking lot in North Phoenix in the pre-dawn twilight and nippy temperatures. No takers for the 123km, and the rest were roughly evenly split between the 200km and 300km distances.

Our Regional Brevet Administrator, Mike Sturgill designed the new courses and pre-rode all of them! The routes are new, but on many of the best roads for cycling north and east of Phoenix. The 200 and 300 riders would share the same course to the lunch control at about 100 miles. So, after the safety brief at 0700 we rolled out and headed north into the desert.

Dawn on the Sonoran Desert Drive

More than half the riders formed one large group as we headed out from the start. A chance to say hello to old friends and meet a few new ones. Also a chance to figure out who was riding the 200 vs. 300 distances. The most common answer? "I'm not really in shape, so I'm only doing the 200!"

Group splits at first information control

All of the controls for the day were informational, meaning that instead of getting a receipt for proof of passage, you simply answered a question that would prove you were at that spot. Most were at convenience stores and related to the price of fuel. Also handy spots to refill bottles and procure food along the way.

The first control was only 15 miles into the ride, a bit early to stop for supplies, so I take of a photo of the Circle K sign with the gas price, and continue on. Of course, you can also simply submit your GPS track as proof of passage, so a number riders didn't even slow down and continued on! The GPS is  clean and easy, until your computer craps out, so I always take a photo for back-up!

Leaving Peoria

The route uses many of the roads from last month's brevet. As we headed out of Peoria I took a picture of the lovely Welcome to Peoria sign that I meant to photograph on last month's Bartlett Lake 200!

Sun up with big headwinds!

10 miles of light traffic, heavy winds!

The course leaves Peoria and heads northeast past Lake Pleasant toward the next control in New River. Earlier in the week, the winds were predicted to be unfavorable, but light. Today they were right on the nose, and anything but light, gusting past 20 mph! Rolling past Lake Pleasant, the route turns onto N. New River road for 10.5 mile march into the wind.

50 minutes later, after pushing 200 watts at a blistering pace of 11.7 mph, I roll into the control at New River. Mike is there with snacks and water. A number of riders were there also checking in and getting supplies. Mike's well stocked snack table included many favorites (Oreo cookies and Starbucks Fappuchinos) and a new treat, Individually wrapped Hostess Ding Dongs! Haven't had one of those in years, so after a quick reload its back on the road.

Daisy Mountain Fire Department

The route makes its way through New River and turns south. Finally, the evil wind becomes my best friend for the next 12 miles! This section takes 37 minutes and pushing 170 watts yields 19 mph! Best of all, time to eat that yummy Ding Dong and a few Oreo cookies to reload the system.

Roger, Lee, and Cliff

While I was busy working on my sugar fix; Roger, Lee and Cliff flashed by. Lucky for me, they got caught at the light on the left turn onto the Carefree Highway. I made it through and after a short chase I was able to catch and tack onto their pace line. More wind, but easier to take sharing the load with friends!

Carefree Sun Dial

Rolling through the Legends

We worked together all the way to Carefree. Lee and Cliff stopped for supplies but quickly rejoined as we continued east toward Bartlett Lake before turning south and a loop along Romping Road among luxury homes in The Legends development.

Pinnacle Peak

We rejoined Pima road and headed south, and down, to Dynamite Road. Again turning east into the wind and the first climb of the day. We all settled into our own pace and our group split apart. Needing a nature break I pull off onto a utility trail for a quick stop and a photo!

Four Peaks from McDowell Mountain Road

Back on the road, its only a few more miles of climbing before reaching the 9-Mile Hill descent! Best of all, the bike/lane shoulder is complete all the way to Rio Verde, so no more mixing with 60 mph traffic while descending at 25-30mph!

Mike at the lunch control

Reaching the bottom, we again head south and the fun rollers on McDowell Mountain Road. I catch a mountain biker (not on the brevet) and he says hello and asks to hop on my wheel. He tacks on and we make our way to the edge of Fountain Hills and the next climb of the day, a short but steep effort just before town. We have a chance to talk and he asks how far I am into my ride. "101 miles done 86 to go." Then the inevitable conversation about randonneuring ensues as we cover the climb!

Mike has the lunch control set up at a bike shop in strip mall just inside Fountain Hills City limits. The lead group missed it, so I was one of his early customers. Reload and enjoy a turkey wrap and its back on the road for me.

Verde River at Ft. McDowell

The route skirts the Fountain Hills commercial area and heads back into the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to connect with AZ87, also known as the Beeline Highway. Shortly after crossing the Verde River, we enter the Tonto National Forest as 8 miles of gentle climbing puts us in the Saguaro Lake/Bush Highway exit.

Fire scar on Bush Highway, Weavers Needle

Great views of the Tonto National Forest greet us as we descend to Saguaro Lake and the Salt River. Four peaks to the east, and the Superstition Wilderness to the south are easily visible.  I stopped on the opposite shoulder to take a photo of a recent fire scar with Weavers Needle in the distance. Stephen Kinney and two other riders passed by checking to see that I was OK. By the time I got back on the right side of the road they had already disappeared!

Ugly fencing on the Blue Point Bridge

A few steep rollers and we are past Saguaro Lake and are entering the Salt River Recreation Area. On warmer days the area would be teeming with tubers and kayakers enjoying the river. We cross the Salt River at the Blue Point Bridge. It has fencing installed to prevent fishing and jumping from the bridge. Today, the river flow was very low, not much of an opportunity for either pursuit!

The route turns left and up toward Usery Pass. All the roads in the recreation area have great shoulders and relatively new pavement, making it especially popular for cyclists, especially in the morning. But at the end of day there are only a few riders on the road.

Clearing the pass, with the always startling gun shots from the nearby shooting range, we descend out of the Tonto Forest and into Mesa Arizona for the next control.

Stephen Kinney heading toward Red Mountain

I roll into the control, another Circle K, and Stephen Kinney is there with a couple of other riders. I make it a quick stop, wanting to get back on the road and back down the Beeline Highway before dark. Stephen joins me and we head out Power Road back to the Bush Highway and the Salt River Recreation Area. We descend King Kong hill and rejoin the Salt River at the Verde River confluence. Years ago, a controversial proposal to build the Orm Dam here would have put much of today's route under water! They ditched the Orm in 1981 and opted for other water storage projects including improving the Stewart Mountain and Roosevelt dams.

More great views of the Salt River

Stephen's riding partners rejoin us and we ride as a group of along the scenic Salt River. Just below Saguaro Lake, a few sharp rollers mark the beginning of the climb back to the Beeline Highway. I slip off the back and head up at my own pace.

Weavers Needle

At 5 pm the shadows begin to cover the highway, and the temperature in the shade is noticeably cooler. I pause on the bridge over the Beeline to put most of my layers back on. Its a nice descent back to Fountain Hills, and with the setting sun and wind chill, I expected the temperature to drop quickly, and it did!

The sun sets on the Verde River

The shoulder on the Beeline returning to Ft. McDowell can be quite rough (car-b-que scars, rocks, and highway debris). My goal was to complete this section of the ride in daylight to be able to maximize speed on the descent. I reached Ft. McDowell at sunset and rolled into the second Fountain Hills control, another Circle K!

In retrospect, I should have eaten more solid fuel at the Mesa control, because I was starting to feel a bit OD'd on sugar. With only 24 miles to go and not wanting to linger with a solid food stop, I downed a chocolate milk and was back on the road. It worked and after few short climbs on Shea Boulevard, I was back in the city for the final run through Scottsdale to the finish in North Phoenix.

Just another wonderful sunset

Happily, the route exits heavy traffic on Shea at 136th street, but takes 15 turns over the next 20 miles to the finish! With all the 'stop and go' riding its hard to build momentum. But with 165 miles in the legs, I'm not sure I could have ridden much faster!

The Phoenix Open is coming to town next week. But in preparation the tents, temporary parking lots, and road closures were already in place. No worries, just jump on the sidewalk and roll through. The last few miles pass the Mayo Health complex before rejoining Union Hills road and the finish at the Coffee King Roastery. 

Brevet #2 is in the books at just under 13 hours. Another great day on the bike. Thanks again to Mike Sturgill for putting together this new route and great support throughout the day.

Next up is the world famous Arivaca 400. It could be Epic, don't miss it! 

Steve Atkins

Click here for GPS data

2020 Kitt Peak 300km Preride

Ride Report
March 2020

Another week, another great ride through the SNP!

In order to support the upcoming Kitt Peak brevets (600, 400, 300, 200),  I set out to preride the Kitt Peak 300 course. RUSA rules allow for a preride for event workers in the weeks before to check out the course, navigation tools, and controls before the main event. The ride is self-supported, but I was able to convince Tucson resident and randonnuer Tom Altemus to join me for this adventure.

With Tom Altemus at the start

Balloons over Tucson

We rolled out of the LaQuinta at dawn and were treated to a great view of several hot air balloons taking advantage of the cool and calm conditions just after sunrise. The route heads west to Silverbell Road then south toward the Tucson Mountain Park. Silverbell, once a narrow bumpy route, has been improved over the years and is now freshly paved and is a great section to warm up and get the legs moving.

We reach the turnoff at Sweetwater and make our way over a section of rollers through a beautiful residential area tucked in the foothills of the mountains. Turning right onto Gates Pass Road, we enter the park for the short climb to Gates Pass.

Tom at the top of Gates Pass

Traffic is light and we clear the pass in no time and start the descent. On the way up, Tom mentioned that he had heard the road surface on the descent was rough. It seems each time I pass through here the frost heaves get a little worse. They seem better taken at speed and we roll out of the park heading south on Kinney Road.

On AZ 86

Turning west on AZ86, we pick up a slight tailwind and are cruising easily at 20+ mph on the descent to Robles Junction/Three Point. The road here is in fantastic shape, with a full paved shoulder and marked bike paths through the intersections as we head out of town.

Kitt Peak from Robles Jct/Three Points

Is it Robles Junction, or Three Points? No matter, its a quick 15 miles on AZ 86. The old convenience store building was replaced last summer and now includes indoor restrooms. A big plus, but the covered patio out front is gone. The table is still there, but the cashier hoped they would add a patio cover later, and maybe even some covered parking. Not a official control, it is the last chance for water before the control at the Kitt Peak Visitor Center, so we stop to reload.

Kitt Peak in the distance

Back on AZ 86 the road surface is still excellent as we approach the peak. While the road tilts up slightly, the nice tailwind pushes us along, and we cover the next 16 miles in under an hour.

Kitt Peak Turnoff

The cue sheet and GPS track were spot on all day, and with hardly any other roads in sight, the turnoff for the climb to Kitt Peak would have been hard to miss!

'Doh, COVID-19 strikes again!

We make the turn and in just 500 meters or so, we find the road closed to the public. Later we would learn that the visitor center and road is closed to the public due to COVID -19.

Construction zone on AZ 86

We head back to AZ 86 and continue our journey westward toward Sells Arizona. We are covering new ground for both of us, and other than a 3 mile construction zone about 7 miles from Sells (traffic was light in the construction zone, and the few cars/trucks that passed gave us plenty of space), the road is perfect with a smooth shoulder. The only thing better; the great mountain views and blossoming wildflowers!

We did notice that our favorable tailwind had become a bit of a headwind in the last few miles to Sells. We were fine with that, since once we hit the control we would double back and head out the way we came, with another tailwind!

War memorial in Sells

Sells is a small town on the Tohono O'odham Nation, and at the edge of town, our route takes us off the AZ86 to Main street through a residential section, schools, and a park before arriving at the shopping plaza. Its a Basha's Grocery store, so we head in to get some lunch and supplies.

Our lunch companion

We sit down in the shade outside the store, and a dog walks up and looks like he wants to join us for lunch. He was very polite and patient and just plopped down next to us. Then he offers this proposition; "If you share some of your ham sandwich, I'll tell my friends not to chase you on your way out of town."

Deal is done!

Sounds like a good deal to us, so we seal the deal. He kept his word, and there were no chase induced dog wind sprints on the way out of town!

With a tailwind, and slight down hill, the 35 miles flash by and we are soon back at Robles Junction/Three Points. In addition to the normal reload, I pick up some WD40 for my sticky rear derailleur that had been giving me shifting problems all day! It seemed to help and we made our way back toward Tucson Mountain Park. We stopped at the Kinney Road Circle K control to get a receipt and headed back into the park. 

Tom at the Saguaro National Park

The road was rough with some uphill rollers past Old Tucson Studios and the Tucson Desert Museum, before entering the Saguaro National Park. The road here is butter smooth, and the scenery is fantastic! Its also generally downhill from here all the way to the next control in Marana. Its a Circle K that has been used as a control in many brevets in this region. This is the first time I have been here with less than 15 miles to go before the finish! A quick stop for a receipt and bottle refill and we are back on the road.

Again the winds continued to shift so that after enduring some cross and headwinds for a short time, we were treated with another tailwind to the finish!

At the ride finish

It was a great day on the bike, and even better to be able to share it with Tom Altemus. We packed the bikes in our respective vehicles, said our good-byes, and called this a day.

At the 'real' finish

Oh yeah, need to pick up a finish receipt and some post ride nourishment! Could this day get any better?

Editors Note: Unfortunately with Kitt Peak closed because of concerns about COVID-19, the Kitt Peak brevets were cancelled from the Brevet Calendar.

Hopefully it will be rescheduled later in this year!

Steve Atkins

Click here for photo album

2019 Saguaro National Park 300km Brevet

Ride Report
February 2019

Mike Sturgill and Roger Peskett at the rider brief

Thirty or so riders assembled in the Casa Grande Walmart parking lot in the predawn darkness for the 2019 version of the Saguaro National Park 300km Brevet. With dreams of PBP in 2019 in many riders heads,  it was another great turnout representing 3 countries (Canada, Ireland, US) and 10 US states (AZ, WA, UT, WI, CO, IL, MN, TX, NM, NY)!

A fixture on the Southern Arizona Randonneurs' calendar for many years, this route was last used in 2013. Roger Peskett took on the duties of Trail Boss so RBA Mike Sturgill could join the fun with the main group. At the stroke of 6 am, the group rolled out and headed south for a couple miles before looping back to the north for the run to Coolidge.

Paul Foley, Paul and Jennifer Danhaus

About half the group formed a large pace line and stayed together through Coolidge. Just outside of Coolidge, about 1.5 hours into the ride most of the group dropped off for a natural break. With the group momentarily split up, there was time to catch up with old friends and take a few photos before the pace line reformed and the work resumed!

10 rider paceline on the Pinal Parkway 'climb'

Turning south onto the Pinal Parkway (AZ 79) a strong group of 10 set a steady and reasonable pace for the next 10 miles to the first control at the Tom Mix Memorial and road side tables. A spacious pullout with covered tables 46 miles into the ride make this a perfect control stop. Roger was ready as 10 of us arrived en masse in to check in, refill water bottles, adjust layers, and grab some snacks. Chicken tenders and fries were a welcome treat!

The riders rolled out individually, but soon we were grupo compacto with 20 miles of false flat/climbing (1.2% average 4.2% maximum grade) to the summit some 5 miles outside of Oracle Junction. About 2/3's of the way to the top, I noticed Stephen Kenny's rear wheel looked out of true, and warned him that he may have had a broken spoke. The group split apart as Stephen dropped off to check his machine and the grade steepened near the top.

Stephen rejoined the group (confirmed broken spoke, but serviceable to ride) as we reached the summit and took a monster pull all the way to Rancho Vistoso. Hitting the rollers in Rancho Vistoso the group split as we settled into our own pace. Forming a small group with Rob Welsh and Mike Sturgill, we rode together along the northern and western edges of Tucson along Twin Peaks and Silverbell roads.

Welcome to the last climb of the day, Gates Pass

Entering the spectacular Tucson Mountain Park, its three miles of climbing to Gates pass. With the lunch stop only 3 miles past the summit, there is no reason to hammer up the hill, as we will likely regroup after lunch.

Lunch on the McCain Loop

Rolling in the lunch stop in the Saguaro National park, a number of riders are there enjoying a great lunch provided by Roger. Chips, sandwich wraps, Frappuchinos, sodas, fruit, pickles, and other calorie and sodium packed foods were available. With 116 miles down and 70 to go, it was a perfect spot.

View from the lunch stop

Yours Truly and Mike Sturgill (photo by Stephen Kinney)

Stephen Kenny and Mike Sturgill lead the way after lunch

We roll out with Stephen Kinney and Mike Sturgill, starting at a reasonable post lunch pace, there is time to take some photos while suffering through some seriously annoying 'frost heaves' on the older pavement.

Fantastic views in the Saguaro National Park

After crossing Kinney Road, the pavement is new and smooth and Stephen dials up the pace as we glide through several miles of the Saguaro National Park. Jolted back into the reality on the very rough Sandario road, and with the Calgary Express in front and a building tailwind behind we cover the next 15 miles in 35 minutes (25 mph average speed)! 

Turning west at the Marana airport, and exposed to a strong crosswind, it was an easy decision to drop off the Express and stop for a water refill at the Circle K in Marana. With 45 miles to the finish, and favorable winds, two bottles would get us there!

I-10 Frontage road with Picacho Peak in the distance

Rolling out alone, but with a descent tailwind, the next 30 miles of brain numbing I-10 frontage road to Eloy went by easily and without a sign of any other riders.

Rolling into bustling downtown Eloy, Stephen Kinney, Mike Sturgill and Dave Hilton, appear in the rear-view mirror. They made a stop at the Dairy Queen at Picacho peak, and Stephen said it was "well worth it!"

Tacking on to the Calgary Express yet again, the route turns north and with a strong tailwind, it is back to the races hanging on for dear life. Noting the information for the control at 11 Mile Corner, we head west for the last 8.5 miles to the finish.

With the strong crosswind and a narrow shoulder, the pace line advantage disappears and its off the back yet again. No worries, just settle into a normal pace and finish it off.

Stephen sees me drop and slows down to pace me back to the group, and tucks me in just outside the fog line and he takes the wind and our group of 4 rolls into the finish together! Officially in the books at 10 hours and 39, it was a fast 300 with great conditions and even better company.

Mike signs our cards and we head to the Carl's Jr. to enjoy a post-ride meal and camaraderie before its time to head home!

Next up, Around the Bend 400, come join us!


Steve Atkins

Click here for GPS data

2018 Vulture Mine 300km Brevet

Ride Report
February 2018

RUSA RBA Mike Sturgill at the rider brief

About 30 riders assembled in the Safeway parking lot at Desert Ridge mall in Phoenix for the 2018 version of the Vulture Mine 300. It was good to see Paul and Jennifer Danhaus at the start. I didn't recognize Paul at first, unlike the rest of the riders, he was still in his street clothes. Unfortunately, their van had been broken into in the early morning hours in the motel parking lot. Luckily, a security guard stopped the crime in progress, no one was hurt, and none of the bikes were lost or damaged. But after being up most the night with the police, and with the van missing a window, they decided to follow the event and let fellow Yuman, Suzanne Stack ride her first 300 solo!

The crew bundled up

We rolled out at a very reasonable pace, and as we warmed up the pace quickened, but even with several traffic light interruptions, nearly the entire group arrived together at the first control in Sun City nearly 90 minutes later.

The group splintered on the run to Wickenburg, as a light cross-wind and gentle grade took its toll. A few miles outside of Wickenburg, Steve Kenney and his group was on the side of the road. He had suffered his first flat, with the second coming a few miles later.

Ever-present Mike Sturgill at the Wickenburg control

Mike Sturgill set up his table of supplies at the Wickenburg control. After checking in, topping off the bottles, and grabbing some pocket food, it was a quick stop and back on the road in only a few minutes.

US 60 just before the Vulture Mine turnoff

Most the rough roads in town have been repaired with fresh pavement, and with no special events downtown, we were able to cycle straight through town and start the final rollers to the top of Vulture Mine road.  Just after reaching the summit, I could see Steve Kenney and his group closing fast in the rear-view mirror. Steve said hello, and said "ride safe," as they powered past. I hopped on the train, although not too close, for the descent.

Trailing the Steve Kenney Group

It was right about here in 2016...

In 2016 my brevet ended at about mile 77 when I crashed after a moment of inattention and touch of wheels in a fast group! I stayed with Steve's group for a few miles past mile 77, but when the road flattened out, they were gone!

Lots of wide open space on this ride

After a short stop to peel off a layer and add some sunscreen, it was back onto the lonely Vulture Mine road. Finally in the distance, I-10 with a constant stream of big rigs came into view, and the next control at the TA Truck-stop in Tonopah.

Again, Mike was there with lunch and supplies. I had been craving potato chips and a Mountain Dew, for what seemed like miles, so I passed on the lunch, purchased and consumed the aforementioned items at the TA Travel Store and was back at it!

Alfalfa growing in Palo Verde

The route continues south through Tonopah, past the Hickman Egg Farms, to the green fields of Palo Verde. The sweet smell of alfalfa was much better than the stinky egg farm!

The route heads back north, over the I-10 and onto the Sun Valley parkway. Once upon a time it had a good shoulder, now the frost heaves force riders back onto the main road. No worries though, its a four lane boulevard, with very light traffic, and most drivers simply passed using the other lane. Of course there were a few that seemed irritated by a cyclist on their road, and passed within the 3 foot limit!

Somewhere along here a group of three appeared in the rear-view and soon we were a group of four heading to the control at Canyon Springs.

Susan Stack and I rolled out of Canyon Springs after reloading and we worked together to the last control, about 15 miles from the finish. Of course Paul and Jennifer Danhaus were there to cheer us along as we grabbed receipts and pointed our steeds toward the final control at the Desert Ridge Mall.

We rolled in at 6:15 and found Mike in the Safeway Starbucks to complete the paperwork and put this one in the books.

Next up, the Around the Bend 400 on March 3. Click here to sign up!

Steve Atkins

GPS Data Click Here