Lon's Route Description
Today the good thing is the route will be mainly flat. The bad thing is that we ride across the burning desert all day. A 1,000 foot climb over Telegraph Pass near Yuma, Arizona is the main climbing for this section. With a little luck we could have good tailwinds the last half of the day.
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Today the good thing is the route will be mainly flat. The bad thing is that we ride across the burning desert all day. A 1,000 foot climb over Telegraph Pass near Yuma, Arizona is the main climbing for this section. With a little luck we could have good tailwinds the last half of the day.
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Ride Recap
Today's ride developed into one of those epic struggles against a combination of stiff head winds, rough pavement, and scorching heat. This is one day that I thought might be tough, given the long distance through the merciless desert ... and I would have to say that the challenges today exceeded my expectations. In today's first 100 miles, we had unfavorable head winds with temperatures that started reasonably comfortable. Thankfully, I was able to hook up with Ed and Fred again, so at least I didn't have to fight those headwinds by myself. By the time we reached today's climb up to Telegraph Pass, the temperatures can best be described as a BLAZING INFERNO. I found it very difficult to eat enough while riding in this heat, so I ended up spending a lot of time at the rest stops to get replenished. By the time I reached the lunch stop around mile 100, I was concerned I might not get in before dark which would mean a ride in on the SAG wagon. Fortunately, the wind changed to a tailwind, and I was able to motor along at 20+ MPH. I thought I was home free but with just 10 miles to go, the wind changed again, and my pace slowed to a crawl. I did managed to roll into the hotel parking lot, just as the sun was setting around 7:30PM, squeaking just under the cut-off limit. Today's challenges took it's toll on our group -- about 20 or so riders had to take a ride to the hotel in the SAG wagon, either because of the heat, or running out of daylight. As I finished today's ride, I was thinking that it was one of the toughest 1-day rides I ever did. But with the limited amount of time to recover from such a hard effort, it could be that tomorrow's ride could prove even harder.
Today's ride developed into one of those epic struggles against a combination of stiff head winds, rough pavement, and scorching heat. This is one day that I thought might be tough, given the long distance through the merciless desert ... and I would have to say that the challenges today exceeded my expectations. In today's first 100 miles, we had unfavorable head winds with temperatures that started reasonably comfortable. Thankfully, I was able to hook up with Ed and Fred again, so at least I didn't have to fight those headwinds by myself. By the time we reached today's climb up to Telegraph Pass, the temperatures can best be described as a BLAZING INFERNO. I found it very difficult to eat enough while riding in this heat, so I ended up spending a lot of time at the rest stops to get replenished. By the time I reached the lunch stop around mile 100, I was concerned I might not get in before dark which would mean a ride in on the SAG wagon. Fortunately, the wind changed to a tailwind, and I was able to motor along at 20+ MPH. I thought I was home free but with just 10 miles to go, the wind changed again, and my pace slowed to a crawl. I did managed to roll into the hotel parking lot, just as the sun was setting around 7:30PM, squeaking just under the cut-off limit. Today's challenges took it's toll on our group -- about 20 or so riders had to take a ride to the hotel in the SAG wagon, either because of the heat, or running out of daylight. As I finished today's ride, I was thinking that it was one of the toughest 1-day rides I ever did. But with the limited amount of time to recover from such a hard effort, it could be that tomorrow's ride could prove even harder.
One of our crew members, Ken Bartholic, at one of morning rest stops. In the background, you can see the flags getting whipped by the headwinds we fought all morning. Ed Pavelka, below, offers a great wheel to follow in these headwinds.
We crossed the Great American Canal several times today, as we rode on busted up frontage roads. The heat from the relentless sun causes the pavement to heave into rough patches that are very difficult to ride over.
Riding over all that bumpy, rotten pavement can take it's toll on the body over the course of a 190-mile day. A sign on of the support vehicles, offers some good advice.
It was great to finally see the Gila Bend, after such a hard day.
