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

2013 Saguaro National Park 300km Brevet

Ride Report
February 2, 2013

Susan Plonsky gives the rider briefing

The truck and bike were packed Friday night and all my gear was ready to go. The alarm went off at 0405, coffee made, dressed and I was on my way to pick up Carlton van Leuven at 0420. He was ready to go and we arrived in Casa Grande a short 40 minutes later. After a stop at the 24 hour Wal Mart we arrived at the Round Trip Bike Shop in plenty of time for the start of the 2013 edition of the Saguaro National Park 300km Brevet.

The first order of business after checking in is to decide how much clothing to wear/carry on the bike. The forecast was for mild to warm weather later in the day, but the predawn temperature was still in the low forties. Plus it is always colder outside Casa Grande, and especially in Coolidge. I decided to go with shoe covers, leg warmers, base, jersey, vest, arm warmers, and long gloves. I almost passed on the shoe covers, but Carlton convinced me to put them on and I was glad I did. It was the perfect combination for the first segment to the Tom Mix controle on the Pinal Parkway.

Lonnie 'Epic' Wolff

Susan Plonsky, RUSA Brevet Administrator provided the rider briefing a few minutes before 6 am to 40 plus randonnuers that were ready to go at the Round Trip Bike Shop. The owner opens his store early to provide a base, rest room, and meeting hall. And by the number of brand new reflective ankle bands I noticed (required for a pre-dawn start) on a few riders, a chance to pick up a last minute cycling need or two.

Many of the usual suspects had gathered for this one and it was great to catch up with Lonnie Wolff from Utah and Dick Wiss from Colorado, and other riders from previous brevets. Scott and Ryan were leading a group of Extreme Picnickers, but we rolled out before I had a chance to say hello!

At 0600 Susan fired up the Brevetmobile and provided the lead out that includes a loop south to pick up a few miles before heading north out of town. A very thoughtful route design, because adding a few mile loop before you get started is no big deal. Having to ride past the finish at the end of a brevet would be almost as mind-bending as having to ride the I-10 Frontage Road!

A group of 7 or so formed and we were off the front by the time we reached McCartney road at the edge of town. We rode at a reasonable pace and were soon over the 'pass,' riding past the dairy farms, and descending into Coolidge. As usual, it was cooler than Casa Grande but hardly noticeable with the spectacular pre-dawn sky we were treated to! Coolidge passed by in a flash and we continued to work well together to the first controle at the Tom Mix Monument on Pinal Parkway.

Gerry Goode was one of the volunteers manning this stop and it was quite enjoyable catching up with him. Over the years, Gerry and I have teamed up on several brevets and he rode the Casa Grande 200 on both occasions that my sons Mark and Michael joined me for this nonsense. So as I busily checked in, reloaded my bottles, and stripped off a few layers and my shoe covers, I gave Gerry a quick update on how the boys are doing.

Carlton at the Tangerine Circle K

After being left behind at this controle, and having to chase down the group on more than one occasion on previous brevets, I have learned to move fast at this controle! I was just putting my bottles on the bike as the first few riders rolled out, I jumped in and four of us were off. We sat up and waited for Carlton, Karl, and Mike to rejoin us. A few miles from the controle we were groupo compacto and the 'fun' began. The road steepens and the cross-winds picked up as the strong men in the group picked up the pace. Mike was the first to go, and as Carlton and I hung on by a thread; Stephen Kenny thankfully dialed back the pace and we formed a double pace line to work through the wind.

Steve Kenny contemplating Gates Pass

Wrap Time at Kinney Road

We reached the 'top' just as I was about lose contact from the group, but was able to hang on and recover somewhat on the descent into the Rancho Vistoso area. Once we hit the rollers on the wide roads of this planned community, I started to yo-yo off the back. Just as I lost contact, a motorist made a U-turn in front of the group as they were turning onto Moore Road, causing everyone to stop. Being safely behind the group, I was able to roll through chaos and in an act of sheer desperation, went to the front of the group to take a pull and try to cool the pace down a little! Carlton and I shared pulls to the Circle K a few miles later and we stripped off layers, reloaded our bottles, and slathered on some sunscreen!

Susan's Brevetmobile

We were rewarded with some easy descending on Twin Peaks road until we reached Silverbell road. Much of the Silverbell has been improved over the years, but some sections are quite rough and traffic was heavy. The pace seemed to pick up and I worked hard to hold on and stay with the group,  but decided to drop off and climb at my own pace when we turned on Sweetwater and started the climbing to Gates Pass.

Carlton noticed I had dropped and fell back to keep me company on the climb. The weather was perfect and once I dialed it back to my own pace it was a very enjoyable climb as we admired the awesome views of saguaro cactus and awesome desert mountain views. Traffic seemed quite heavy on the last climb up the pass, but luckily no cars overtook us as we cleared the summit, so we had a unobstructed downhill blast to the next controle at the Kinney Road Parking lot.

No sammy for me today

We rolled in while the rest of the group was already into their first sandwiches provided by Susan Plonsky. I decided to pass on the sandwiches, but refilled my water bottles and grabbed a Coke. After visiting and catching up with Susan I was ready to go before my legs got too stiff! Calton joined me and we rolled out, figuring the strong men would catch us before we got to Marana.

Mark Mandell caught us as soon after we left the controle, and Brian McQuire caught us while we refilled our water bottles at the Circle K in Marana. We decided to take 1 mile pulls into the building headwinds, and with our 4 man group working at a steady pace we soon were passing Picacho Peak and looking forward the fresh pavement that was ahead of us.

At this pace we figured we would be in before sunset, and with a shot of finishing under 11 hours, Brian and Mark picked up the pace a little, but that was a little too hot for Carlton, so he dropped off. The banana I ate in Marana was not sitting well so I was more than happy to dial it back a little as I dropped back to join him as Brian and Mark headed off to shoot for a 5 pm finish. Carlton and I figured we could easily get in under 12 hours, so we backed it off and started trading pulls.

We were there!

With Carlton doing most of the work, soon we were at the Circle K in Eloy topping off our bottles for the final run to Casa Grande. The winds were not particularly strong, but were generally right on our noses from Marana to Eloy and quite annoying. Combine that with rough road, heavy freeway and train traffic, and enjoying scenic Eloy by day; it all adds up to 30 miles of severe brain damage!

With an unremarkable 8 miles to the next controle, and 11 more to the finish, we each took one mile pulls into the cross-wind and pulled in to the Round Trip Bike shop at 11 hours and 24 minutes after we started. We packed the bikes, signed our cards and were ready to go a few minutes after we arrived. A passer-by asked to borrow Carlton's cell phone to arrange a ride to 'a meeting' and he obliged. She wrapped up her call and we pointed the Suburban back toward Phoenix and headed home.

It was a great day on the bike with strong riders and good friends. We both wished that somehow this route could be done without the I-10 Frontage Road of Brain Damage!

My trusty steed, and a daytime finish!