2012 El Tour de Tucson Role Call
 

Who is in and what mileage?

I’m in for 111.

111 here.

anybody else?? This subforum is full of crickets!

I'm in for the 42.

The Tour de Tucson is a nice warm-up for the Tour de Cookie. :)

Dave

Tour de Cookie???

Hopefully the Tour de Cookie is on for 2013.

http://www.active.com/cycling/tucson...de-cookie-2012

So, how many layers of clothes do I need to wear? Been downright chilly here in Phoenix the last couple of mornings, so it has to be even colder in Tucson. Going to make for a pretty uncomfortable first hour or two if it doesn't warm up a bit.

Vic:

We should be going through a warming trend this week. The projected high for Saturday is 77degF. Not toooo bad.... :)

It will likely be cold at the start but 2 hours in, it will be fine.

I can’t remember if they have a bag drop at the start. Anyone?

No bag drop at the start. Most riders who are worried about warmth pickup some sweats at good will and then leave them on the side of the road once the riding starts. The individuals of extreme poverty take what they find... and its essentially a re-donation.

Same goes for every sag stop... MAKE SURE the person you hand your bike to for the latrine has the OFFICIAL shirt on... otherwise you might have just donated your bike and it will not be there when you are done peeing.

Personally 52deg F is NOT cold enough for me to wear ANYTHING above jersey and bibs... I cook, so I will have standard kit on. If you are absolutely set on wearing some sort of layer, I would do a windbreaker; something that rolls up to the size of a bottle and fits in your jersey pocket. I have one I picked a long time ago that, when rolled up, is no bigger than a 24oz bottle: Love it... it takes me down to about 48deg before I start freezing other places.

I AM contemplating some junk tennis shoes [also from good will] for the dry-washes to improve footing, then after the second wash just dump them in a trash at the next feed stop.

as for ROLL CALL: I'm in for 111

Thanks for the tips guys! I may just have my wife meet me at a sag stop around 40 miles in and hand her everything I've peeled off. :thumb:

In for 111 as part of the Rotary riders. First time riding the Tour de Tucson. MikeyBoyzAz's tips are helpful. Anything else it would be useful to know?

Personally I will be doing all liquid nutrition. I have tried foods, and they just sit in my stomach the whole time anyway. Likely a light breakfast will do some good over an hour before start time. SOLID stretching will go a long way. Loosen your IT band before you need it; perhaps a massage today or tomorrow to really push out the lactic acid for super fresh legs if you are planning on high throttle riding (I am not)

The forecast calls for 96% overcast so it should be an awesome day... don't forget that UV goes through clouds :D ie sunblock.

Picked up my number at TCC tonight. I was hoping for more free stuff, esp. nutrition samples that I could take home. I only ended up with a tire lever.

Dang. That's like getting a rock at Halloween.

This will be my 29th El Tour.
At age 80, this may be my last one.
Will be riding as Bike Patrol again.
Grab a couple pages of newspaper and stuff 'em between your chest and jersey. Good insulation.
Disposable arm warmers? Grab a pair of knee socks/tube socks and cut off the toe part. Instant and disposable arm warmers.
Been doing that for years. Works fine/cheap/disposable.
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Rudy:

You are the man and great inspiration!

All the best to you on the ride!

Get a good night sleep and have fun tomorrow!

4:37

Was that your time? :0

yup

Great weather today btw.

I heard that the front group was on a record pace until a train stopped them and they lost about 7 minutes!

WoooooHoooo! Awesome, awesome time, robabeatle!!!

Indeed, great weather. Great riders and support, too. Today was an overall excellent experience.

The only major bummer I noted was a bike stolen from a Bike Patrol man. That really stinks.

i clearly was way behind robabeatle. I finished in 7:33, but given it was my first century, and my first Tour de Tucson, I'll take it. Great ride, great ride organization. I witnessed one major accident that took out a few riders early on, and at different parts of the course came across 4 other riders down. Then saw one guy wipe out at the finish line. There were times when riders were going a little crazy and just trying to draft without knowing how to do it well, but by staying clear of all that, I had an enjoyable ride. Tucson put on a great show, and we were treatednicely wherever we went. Would definitly come back down to do this ride again.

6:28 for me. Awesome ride! My brother in law lead me out for the sprint (He's way freaking awesome). As stated by everyone else: Awesome event. Only thing I wish they could do is improve the Tucson road through the west pass... even with 25c tyres it was a rough ride.

I saw the wipeout at the fishline too, what a sad moment. They had to put him on a board and then a gurney, through I did see his knees start to sway after a few minutes which was encouraging. It was subdued for quite a while after, I don't think the crowd ever really recovered it's vigor after that.

Traffic the night before was pretty awful though.. apparently swelling the consumer population by 6k+ people can have a drag on the roads...

To the Bike Patrol... You Guys ROCKED! I never needed it but I saw plenty of people get aid fast, which was way cool. While going up the climbs a younger man had a 30+lb Bike Patrol pack on his back riding merrily along... That was quite impressive.

7:02 for me.

I must be spoiled, some of the worst freaking roads I've ever ridden on. I think I lost two fillings. My first El Tour, and not sure I'm going to be in any big hurry to come back.