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

Vulture Mine 300km Brevet

Ride Report
February 14, 2015

25 or so riders lined up for the second "minimal support" brevet on the 2015 Arizona calendar. Perhaps there should have been a warning label : This ride occurs on Valentines Day, prepare accordingly!

It was great to see some of the usual suspects (Gerry Goode, Roger Peskett, David Brake), an assortment of Bullshifters, a few newbies, and a good number of out of town riders!

Carlton van Leuven checking in riders with Mike Sturgill and Chris Popovic

We rolled out as a large group and made our way west to Sun City and the first checkpoint on Grand Avenue.

Quiet Streets in Sun City

The first checkpoint was only 25 miles into the ride, and the group rolled in and out in just a few minutes. A large paceline of about 12 riders formed on the US60. A quartering headwind was starting to build, but with all the horsepower in this group we were able to hold a steady 20-21 miles an hour all the way to Wickenburg!

Large pace line on US 60

We made our second stop at a convenience store in Wickenburg and after a parade detour that added a few bonus miles, we were out of town and on the climb up Vulture Mine Road. It was about 8 miles of climbing to the high point of the ride. With the building wind out of the northeast (quartering tail), and a 1-2% downgrade, we covered the next 30 miles holding speeds of 23-25 miles an hour!

Heading down Vulture Mine Road

TA Truckstop at I-10, Chris repairing his 4th flat of the day!

After a reload at the TA truckstop we were soon on our way. The route continues south, joins part of the Around the Bend 400 route to Palo Verde, then heads north for a long pull north on Palo Verde Road to the Sun Valley Parkway.

Michael Mooney, Roger Peskett, and Chris Popovick on Sun Valley Parkway

Once back across the I-10, the road becomes the Sun Valley Parkway. A 4 lane divided boulevard with a huge shoulder. It was quite handy, because with the wind (quartering head), we were able to form a small echelon and work our way through it.

Reaching the next checkpoint Canyon Springs, we had 145 miles behind us and 45 to go. Our group had dwindled on the long slog up Sun Valley Parkway, but soon the checkpoint was filling with riders. I decided to make a quick reload and rolled out. Bob Larsen was ready to go and we headed out together.

Soon after leaving the checkpoint we started the gentle descent back into town, and the wind actually shifted to a light tailwind as the sun made its way to the horizon. Bob was fired up and taking long pulls toward the barn. We rolled through Sun City together, but hitting the flats, near the last checkpoint, I couldn't hold his wheel.

I dropped off and hit the checkpoint at 67 avenue just as Bob was rolling out. I reloaded quickly and was out a few minutes later. The last 20 miles was urban riding and I figured if I could hold 18-20 mph between traffic lights, I had a shot at finishing under 11 hours for a PR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Finish at 10 hours 56 minutes

Bob had arrived about 10 minutes before me, and Roger, Lee Wilkening, and Michael Mooney rolled in about 10 minutes after I rolled in. I grabbed a Coke, fries, and burger at the In 'n Out and headed home.

Luckily for me, Debby's sister is in town, so I was off the hook for Valentine's Day!

Next up is the Around the Bend 400!

GPS data: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/4102503

Steve Atkins