2014 Whitney Clasic Fund Raiser Appeal

Death Valley 2013

Yes, its that time of year again…The 33th Annual Whitney Classic Bike Ride, Summit Adventure’s main fundraising event, will take place on September 27th-28th.The Whitney Classic has traditionally started in Badwater, Death Valley. Due to an ongoing safety study by Death Valley National Park, athletic events will not be permitted in Death Valley this summer. For that reason, the Whitney Classic route is different this year. This year, the ride includes 2 climbs of Horseshoe Meadows Rd, 2 climbs of Tuttle Creek Rd, 2 climbs of Granite View Dr, and a final climb to the end of Whitney Portal Rd.

The new route is more compact this year, 20 fewer miles with 4500 additional feet of climbing: 20,000 feet of climbing over 115 miles! While we will miss Death Valley this year, the entire route will be in the Alabama Hills and Whitney Portal area on the Eastern Slope of the Sierras near Lone Pine California.

Sound too good to miss? Go here to register and join the Fun!

New Route for 2014

This is my 15th Whitney and 16th fund raising ride for Summit Adventure! What, are you nuts? Yes, nuts and addicted to this awesome ride. I love to ride, I love Summit Adventure, and I love this event. Nothing matches the awesome course, camaraderie of the participants, and incredible support from the Summit Staff and volunteers. Many of you have been loyal supporters of Summit all these years. I cannot thank you enough!

2013 Finish

This year I will make my 9th solo effort. My awesome wife, Debby Atkins will provide support and encouragement! After a year consumed by the merger of Hunt Construction Group and AECOM, I am ready for a weekend of worship, prayer, and riding!

In the past 15 years, through your generous support, we have contributed over $150,000 to Summit Adventure! Thank you! Here’s where you come in: I have set a goal to raise $10,000 for this year’s Whitney. Course income provides for only 45 percent of the Summit budget. The rest comes through fund raising events such as the Whitney Classic. I served as a member of the Summit Board of Directors and know how critical a successful Whitney is to the financial health of the ministry. Debby, Mark, Michael and I have all participated on Summit courses over the years and have been deeply impacted by this great ministry! We all love Summit. That’s why I ride!

Already thinking about next year!

Please join my support team and make a donation today! (Donate online by clicking here)
Note: As a thank you for donations over $100, I will send you a Whitney Classic T-Shirt after the event! Please pray with me for a safe, successful event. If you have any questions, or would like to just catch up, please call me at 602-549-5331 or at home at 480-775-1682. I would love to hear from you. Thank you and God bless!

Click here to see my 2010 Ride Report

Click here to see my 2011 Ride Report

Click here to see my 2012 Ride Report 
Click here to see my 2013 Ride Report

Check out Summit’s web page by clicking here             

Thank you for your continued support!

Tombstone Wine Country Brevet of 600km

Ride Report
April 12-13, 2014

I'll take this one!

Pre-ride

Most brevet riders would be all packed and ready to retire early for a 600km brevet. That would be most riders, your humble correspondent just barely had the van packed and ready for the trek to the start in Marana Arizona. With Michael arriving home from college, and my boss hosting a party at his home the night before the event, my night before the ride was spent enjoying the party with Debby, admiring RG's car collection, then running off to the airport to pick up Michael. I was in the sack just before midnight.

Day 1

Carlton runs the preride brief

For a 0500 start, the alarm went off at 0315 for the 1.5 hour drive to Marana. Heading down the I-10 I realized I had not packed a headlamp, important gear to be able to repair a tire or read a cue sheet at night. I pulled into the Love's truckstop and found one that would work. Soon I was back on the road to the Cortaro Road Exit. Pulling into the McDonalds to use the restroom, I recognized Carlton's (our RBA and Trail Boss) van in the parking lot. About 10 riders had assembled around the outdoor tables. This would be the start of the event! The weather was balmy, but with only a few hours sleep, it was already feeling like Day 2!

Patrick and Tom descending Gates Pass

After the pre-ride brief and lengthy discussion about loose dogs in Sierra Vista, we were off at 0500. A small group of 3 formed at the front (Patrick Rinckey and Tom Baker) and we were off down the historic cobble section that is also known as Silverbell Road. We quickly reached Sweetwater and started the climb up and over Gates Pass. It was nice to climb this section with fresh legs. Several brevet routes go through here, but normally Gates Pass is later in the ride. Also, being just after dawn, winds and  traffic were light and we had the road to ourselves. In a blink of an eye we were rolling past the Desert Museum and into the first control at Three Points/Robles Junction.

Carl manned this control, note the flag!

Carl rolled in just as we arrived. We were able to check in and reload without having to head into the store. The wind was blowing hard out of the southwest, a heavy headwind right on the nose. We took 1 mile pulls and congratulated ourselves when we could pull a mile in excess of 10 mph! Yes, it took hours to cover the 23 miles to the right turn to Arivaca.

Its easy to take pictures rolling at 11 mph!

With the turn to the east, the pedaling was easy and we covered the next 7 miles of rollers to Arivaca in short order!

Baboquivari Peak

The volunteer fire department had set up a rummage sale across from the mercantile store and lots of folks were out and about on this sunny morning. We reloaded our bottles and Tom picked up a small flat of strawberries. First time for me on a brevet, delicious! We rolled out together, and with a nice quartering tailwind, and generally downhill terrain, we covered the next section quickly and at our own pace. Normally, heading west toward Aravaca on this road is a sufferfest. Now we knew why, heading east with a tailwind and a slight descent we soft pedaled almost all the way to the I-19. Patrick rolled off the front, and Tom and I regrouped at a Border Patrol checkpoint and were able to work together for the turn south, back into the wind, and on the shoulder of I-19. Not a high point: heat, wind, and traffic.

Downtown Arivaca!

After hunting and pecking through the Mercado, we finally found the control at Tubac and had a light lunch. Patrick was there and left shortly after we arrived. Back into the wind for another 12 miles of heat, wind, and I-19 frontage road. Between Rio Rico and before entering Nogales, thankfully the route turns east on AZ 80. The route headed up to to the Arizona Wine Country, the traffic lessened, and the wind switched to a tail/crossing tail. The desert gave away to lush riparian habitat and grasslands. This section was spectacular and well worth the suffering on the I-19!

Riparian area just outside Patagonia

Historic site just outside Patagonia

Family shrine hewn into a cliff near Patagonia

Tom dropped off on the climb to Patagonia, and we regrouped at the general store to check in and enjoy a light meal. I was sorely tempted to head into the Wagon Wheel Saloon, but an extra hour here would translate to an additional hour of night riding. So it was a Sobe drink and a can of Campbells Cream of Potato Soup served cold on the sidewalk outside the market!

Riders check in, but do they check out!

All day I had been looking forward to the run from Patagonia to Tombstone. The views are spectacular and the road surface is good. The elevation is over 4000 feet, and with the wind still strong out of the west, it was easy to hold 20-25 mph nearly the whole way to Tombstone.

Finally - High Plateau Tail Winds

Normally, I would stop and reload at either Sonoita or Mustang Corner, but with the wind and the great meal in Patagonia, I was able to continue non-stop for 50+ miles to Tombstone!

Cochise Stronghold, from the road just outside Tombstone

Arriving at dusk, I put on layers and reloaded at the Tombstone control, The direction of the course changed, but I figured that the winds would tamp down with sunset. Nope, I was stuck with them all the way to Sierra Vista!

The route continued through Tombstone and climbs all the way to Bisbee. About 10 miles out of Tombstone, Sierra Vista comes into view, about 20 miles away. It was a mental challenge to continue toward Bisbee, with the sleep stop slowing disappearing into the distance behind  me!

The route enters the mountains and the real climbing begins. Finally reaching the top, soaked from the work, and now descending into the cold, I stopped and put on all the layers just between the tunnel and historic Old Town. The control was a few miles further up the road. By the time I rolled in to the control I was shivering uncontrollably! I jumped into the store, poured a ton of sugar into a hot coffee, purchased a can of beans and a chocolate milk. The convenience store clerk was happy to have some company, so I enjoyed my picnic on the floor in front of the coffee machine.

I packed up, bought a chap stick, and headed back out. It was still 28 miles to the sleep stop, normally about 90 minutes of riding, but the wind continued and it was 2+ hours to the control in Sierra Vista. Carlton drove by a few miles out of town and was at the hotel when I rolled in about 20 minutes after midnight.

I was feeling the effects of being on the bike for the last 20 hours with only 3 hours of sleep Friday night. I checked in and found Carlton in the brevet room. He mentioned that Patrick had arrived about an hour earlier and Tom had suffered numerous flats and was at his hotel in Bisbee. Patrick heard me stumbling up the hall and asked what time I was planning on leaving. Normally I would take a 3-4 hour nap, then head out about before dawn, but I told him I was going to leave after dawn and try and grab 5-6 hours of sleep. I walked to the IHOP restaurant and loaded up on eggs, hash browns, and orange juice. I skipped preparing my bike for Day 2 and simply showered, put on my compression gear and crawled into bed at 0130.

Day 1 - 258 Miles, 20:16 hours, 11,054 ft climbing

Day 2

I had set the alarm for 0700; but woke at 0530 and decided to get moving. I grabbed some coffee in the lobby and returned to my room to pack up and leave. Patrick was rolling out of his room as I returned. With the sun up, I put my reflective gear and spare lights back in my drop bag. I checked out, left my drop bag with Carlton and rolled out under a cloudless sky.

Just a few miles from the hotel, the route enters the Ft. Huachuca Army base. Several of my friends have been stationed here, but this was my first time on the base. After checking my ID, I was cleared to pass.

Historic Buffalo Soldier Gate

The base is nestled at the foot of some spectacular hills that reminded me of the Solvang area of California. It was an enjoyable way to start the day. The route included a series of steep rollers, but with great views and perfect weather I soon reached the West gate and exited the fort.

Heading toward the West Gate at Ft. Huachuca

Leaving the base, the route enters the Coronado National Forest. The road surface was unpredictable, with lots of broken sections. Add many sharp turns, grazing livestock, and cowboy vehicles, this was a section to stay alert.

Off  the base, near Elgin AZ

Rolling into the control in Sonoita, I was surprised to find Patrick still there. He was taking a long break. I went into the store to get some food and when I came out Carlton rolled up to check on us. We rolled out together and soon were at the last Border Patrol checkpoint on the ride. We stopped to check a clicking noise on Patrick's bike. He thought it was his pedal cleat. We remounted and started again, but Patrick decided to stop and totally remount the cleat. He told me to go ahead, so I rolled on figuring he would catch me in Sahuarita at the next control.

The next 30 miles to the Sahuarita control would go by quickly, dropping 2000 feet back to the desert floor. The wind was back out of the southwest, but with the gentle downgrade, it was easy to take.

Sahuarita Road, Helmet Peak in the distance

The last control is a large convenience store in Sahuarita. I enjoyed some soup and chips before reloading my bottles for the last 38 miles to the finish. Carlton sent me a text mentioning that Patrick had to DNF (did not finish) because the clicking sound we heard was his crank arm failing on his bike. We were lucky he found it before the descent on AZ 83!

Helmet Peak road is about 6 miles of 3-4% climbing and went by easily. Reaching the top it was back on Mission Road with a slight tailwind all the way to Congress Ave in Tucson.

Cactus flowers on Helmet Peak Road

I was not looking forward to the last 10 miles to the finish. After all the rural riding with no interruptions, and great views, it was stop and go with heat, traffic lights, and rough road surface until reaching the Marana city limits. Added bonus: The wind shifted and was coming hard out of the northwest for the first time all weekend!

I reached the finish in just under 9 hours for a total brevet time of 34 hours 10 minutes. Carlton was there with some hot pizza and an O'Douls! I completed the requisite paperwork, thanked Carlton for putting together a fantastic route, and headed back to Tempe. After unpacking and cleaning up, Michael (home for spring break) delivered me to the Newman Center in time to catch the 9 pm Mass for Palm Sunday!

Day 2 - 116 miles, 8:52 hours, 4,512 feet climbing

Steve Atkins

Around the Bend Brevet of 400km

March 8, 2014
Ride Report

Tom Baker at the rider briefing

60-46-28. Is that the combination to my middle school gym locker? No, its the number of participants on the first three 2014 Arizona Brevets. As the distance increases, the participants decrease!

28 riders gathered in the parking lot of the Casa Grande Walmart for the 0600 start of the Around the Bend 400km Brevet. This is the third edition of this Tom Baker designed route. Based on 'prevailing' wind patterns, this route's clockwise layout should provide tailwinds throughout ride (winds out of the north east with the sunrise, and out of the south west in the afternoon and sunset). Alas, we will have to wait another year for that perfect wind day, as a huge weather cell parked over the Four Corners area, providing building and gusting winds out of the North and East most of the day! 

Dick Wiss and Roger Peskett descending into Sacaton

We rolled out of the parking lot in predawn darkness and by the time we reached AZ 387 about 7 miles into the ride, a group of 7 had formed. The usual suspects were there, Carlton van Leuven, Dick Wiss, Roger Peskett, Mike Sturgill, plus two newcomers, Greg Sarbo and Patrick Rinckey. The group was evenly matched and worked well together. So well that, combined with the building tailwind, we reached the first two controls a few minutes before they opened.

Entering the Sonora National Monument

Ready to start the descent to Gila Bend

Curios at the Control in Gila Bend

The control in Gila Bend is a Texaco Convenience store with covered tables and ample rest rooms. A great place to check in, peel off layers and apply sunscreen. It also has one of the finest selection of authentic Mexican curios in the Southwest! Mike Sturgill flatted and dropped off from the group in the Sonora Monument, but he rejoined before we rolled out, so our group of 7 left Gila Bend together. Another route change had us wander through parts of Gila Bend that were clearly off the beaten path. Soon we were back on the Old US 80. The worst portions of the pavement have been recently resurfaced. However, we were greeted with a strong block headwind that we would fight for the next 40 miles to Palo Verde. 

At least the worst sections of old US 80 were recently repaved

Before we reached the Gillespie Dam Bridge, Greg and Mike Sturgill decided to exit the group and fight the wind, mano a mano!

Gillespie Dam Bridge

 After crossing the bridge, there are a series of short steep rollers, then you enter a valley of stark contrasts; the floor lush with heavily irrigated crops, and the upper slopes, Sonoran desert!

Desert and Farm Country near Palo Verde

The rollers provided a brief respite from the wind, but soon we were battling it again for the last several miles to the lunch control at the village of Palo Verde. This is a manned lunch control, and Tom Baker promised plenty of food for the riders.

Nearing the Palo Verde Control

Carton had gotten a call from Tom Baker as we entered the Palo Verde valley. A rider had crashed on the descent into Gila Bend. Tom was escorting the injured rider to the medical center in Buckeye. The rider was released later with a severe case of road rash and a concussion.

Patrick and Carlton enjoying the Baker's covered camp chairs

When we rolled into the control, Mrs. Tom Baker was there. She met Tom, traded vehicles and got to the control with enough time to spare to set it all up. Food, water, and shaded camp chairs, and great company made this a hard stop to leave.

Dick repairing his flat

The route turns east, and the wind rotated to a perfect cross-wind. Dick organized us into a rotating double pace line to fight the effects of the wind. Along this section, Dick says, "hey Steve check out my rear wheel when I pull through." FLAT! We stopped at a shady spot and Dick and Patrick removed the wheel, found the guilty thorn, and were ready to go after a quick repair.

Last year NASCAR was in town!

The wind and the heat was taking its toll. Like last year we decided to stop at the Circle K near the PIR raceway. It was less than 30 miles from the lunch control, but bottles were going fast, so we stopped to reload. Unlike last year, the NASCAR race was not going on, so it was a lot less busy. We refilled and continued on.

My faithful steed near Laveen

We made our next stop at the convenience store just inside the Gila Indian Reservation on 51st Avenue near Laveen. We were all one bottle down, and we were concerned that the wind and lack of services for the next 17 miles would leave us dry, so we stopped for a quick reload.

Dinner at the BK!

Soon we were back into town (Sun Lakes, Chandler, Queen Creek), getting stopped at traffic signals every mile or two. At least there was a little protection from the wind. The sun was setting, and we still had a few miles to make it to our planned dinner stop at the Burger King in Queen Creek. Dick suggested we stop and put on our lights and reflective gear. We were glad we did, Rittenhouse road was narrow and traffic was heavy.

We rolled into the BK and ordered dinner and dug out the layers we stashed in Gila Bend. While the drive through was hopping, the inside 'dining room' was ours for the taking. So we spread out over several tables, enjoying our meal, reloading our bottles, and putting on our night layers for the last 45 miles to the finish.

With the cooler temperatures two bottles were plenty to make the it to the finish. Also, with the route turning south, the wind (still surprisingly strong at 8 pm) was strong from the north and helped push us along at a great pace.

We stayed together and our group of 5 rolled into the finish just a few minutes before 10 pm (15 hours 57 minutes total time). Tom and his wife were already there enjoying some Denny's fare. We turned in our paperwork, shared stories of the event, and ordered some post-ride grub.

It was a great day with old and new friends! Thanks Tom, for organizing another great 400.

Roger and Tom at the finish - Denny's in Casa Grande

Steve Atkins

Click here for Ride with GPS data

Gila Monster 300km Brevet

Ride Report
February 1, 2014

Registration at the Coolidge Walmart 

46 riders from 8 states and 2 countries lined up for the inaugural running of the Gila Monster 300km brevet. It was Carlton Van Leuven's birthday (Arizona RBA); and his family volunteered to man controls (Ruth Ann, Stassja, and Nate) and help out today's trail boss, Paul Layton so he could join the peloton for this ride.

Paul gives the riders last minute instructions

This is another new route for the Arizona Brevet series. It is based on Paul Layton's permanent, although at the rider briefing, he said he suggested the route as a joke, and if you don't like the route, its Carton's fault!

We rolled out as one large group at 0700 and headed past the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument into to downtown Coolidge. Several of the riders noticed and appreciated the new pavement on Arizona Boulevard, but turning east on Kenilworth Ave, it was back to the rough stuff to the Pinal Parkway. This section of the route was also part of last year's 300.

Long pace line on Pinal Parkway

The 'climb' up Pinal Parkway is traditionally the place where the big paceline splits apart. It is a steady but gentle grade that goes for about 30 miles. Passing the Tom Mix monument, the grade picks up and generally this is where the pace picks up and the group thins out. As riders were spit out the back one by one, I found myself behind Stephen Kinney of the Speed Theory Team from Alberta Canada. It was his turn at the front, with me in the second position, he turned up the heat. I was hanging on for dear life!

Normally when someone finishes their pull at the front and make their way to the back, I like to say 'nice work' or 'great pull.' When Stephen finished his, all I could say was 'thank God you're done killing us!' I took my turn at the front, and returned to the back of the paceline. Trev Williams flatted shortly thereafter and the Speed Theory team dropped off, much to the relief of us mere mortals.

Traffic was heavier than normal, and after navigating a construction section, we soon reached the control at Oracle Junction. Paul Layton was there to sign our brevet cards and provide water and refreshments. I was in and out of the control quickly and started the next climb to Oracle Arizona. This was a new section of road for me, and it was spectacular. The pace line did not reform as everyone was climbing at their own pace. A few miles out of the control, the Speed Theory team flashed by on the climb and disappeared into the distance.

Oracle, the high point of today's Brevet

The route leaves AZ 77 and continues to climb on American Avenue through the business district of Oracle. I didn't really notice the decrease in the temperature because of the climbing. But once you hit the center of town, the route descends back to AZ 77. In just a few miles I was shivering from the cold, made worse by sweat generated from the climb! I pulled off AZ77 to put my vest, arm warmers, and warm cap back on. Just as I was zipping up Tom Baker flashed by.

Tom Baker on AZ 77 

We were treated to 11 miles of a 7% downgrade. I bridged up to Tom and we worked together all the way to the next control. Work on a downgrade? Yes, the wind was strong and really held us back, especially after reaching Mammoth AZ.

Yes, I have every item of clothing with me on!

Shortly after leaving Mammoth, the route enters a large valley. While Winkelman was still 10 miles off, we could clearly see the large smoke stack from the old Winkelman copper smelter works. The air was crystal clear from the rains that had passed through earlier in the morning. A few miles from the control, we passed the Speed Theory team. They were again on the side of the road repairing a flat, we slowed to make sure they were good and continued to the control. I later joked with Stephen at the next control that his team had hit a least 3 of the 4 stop sticks we put out last night! Flat tires were the only thing that slowed those guys down today!

Ruth Ann and Stassja Van Leuven at the Winkelman control 

Quite a few riders were there enjoying the ample refreshments provided by Ruth Ann. From homemade sandwich wraps to the Starbucks Frappachino's there was something for everyone. I quickly reloaded my bottles and slammed down a Frappachino. Carlton rolled in just behind me, but he wanted to take a long break.

Speed Theory guys at the Winkelman Control

I left and as I was chowing down a Honey Stinger waffle rolling through Winkelman, a small group formed (Roger Peskett and Toby Jones from Tucson, and Tom Baker). We worked together into the wind to the base of the climb at the Ray works. I dropped off for a natural break and settled into my own pace as the rest of the group headed into the distance.

ASARCO Ray Works

The End of the World climb is a 'double dip' affair. After 6 or so miles of climbing and the passing the Ray mine, the climb tilts up to 10% for a mile, crests a saddle and drops again at 10% for another mile. After coasting through a small valley the road turns up and left for a little more than a mile of 10-14% grades! Nate Van Leuven set up a water stop and warning signs for drivers to watch for bicyclists on the road. Nate flashed a thumbs up as I passed through.

Roger waiting at the top!

I made up some of the distance on Toby, Roger, and Tom on the first pitch, and with my triple chainring, I was able to finally bridge up to them as we reached the top of the climb. It was back on Tom's wheel as we rode into Superior. Tom said that it was 36 years ago that he won the Mining Country Century by cresting the climb with a three bike length lead and 'whipping it with everything I had to hold off the field' to the finish in Superior. By the time we rolled into Superior we were again freezing and stopped at the Circle K for water and to put layers back on again!

Gonzales Pass, last climb of the day

Roger and Toby flashed by while we had stopped, so Tom and I worked together up and over Gonzales Pass and into Gold Canyon for the control at the Basha's store.

Superstition Mountains from US 60

We arrived at Bashas' to find Roger guarding their bikes while Toby pulled receipts and purchased supplies inside the store. Tom and I also did a quick reload and we rolled out in time to catch them at the light at US 60 for the return to Coolidge. We formed a 4 man pace line and made good time out of town. While the shoulder is relatively new, the designers did not seem to account for guardrails placed over washes. They were place such that every half mile, or so it seemed, the guard rails 'pinched' the riders off the shoulder and back onto the main road. We would hug the fog line and jump back on the shoulder when the guard rails ended.

As we neared Florence Junction, Roger and Toby dialed up the pace, Tom dropped off first with some stomach problems and I backed off to a more comfortable pace. About half-way to Florence I saw Roger and Toby roadside fixing a flat, I continued on and soon rolled into Florence.

After missing a turn in downtown Florence and returning to the route, I reached AZ 287 for the last 8 miles of the event. I was heading due west into the setting sun. The shoulder was rough, but I was able to switch on my lights and put on my reflective vest back on without stopping. With a few miles to go, the faint outlines of the big box store that was the finish came into view.

I was greeted by Paul Layton and his daughter and hot pizza! Tom rolled in a few minutes later followed by Toby and Roger.

It was a great day on the bike. Thanks to Carlton, Paul and their families for organizing and putting on a great ride.

Next month: Around the Bend 400km!

Steve Atkins