Phoenix has a A/B/C type RR every Tuesday night. 39 or 40 miles with 3,500 vertical climbing starting near Apache Junction and winding it's way past Canyon Res, Tortilla Flats on up to where the pavement ends. Then back. Not sure how steep the grades are, but the first climb is a big ring for stronger guys with a beautiful winding descent to Canyon Res. A mile of flat then a couple more miles of gradual big ring climbing followed by a short fast descent into Totilla Flats. After Tortilla is a steeper climb lasting maybe 5 miles. Tucking on the way down it's not difficult to reach 45 or 50 mph just to give you an idea of the grade. Again, nothing crazy but, the stronger riders will pull away here.
The heat is obviously a factor especially for weaker guys like me or larger gents. It's 108 in the back yard right now and we live on a golf course. Anyway, it's a great race for us weaker guys as we all roll together neutral with the pro, cat1 and 2's. Try to hang with them for as long as possible then time trial the rest of the way (for me).
The series starts in late May and last 13 Tuesdays. Prior to that there is a weekly crit that is also an A/B/C type format. Again good training for us weaker guys as we get to race with the P1,2 guys in an open parking lot. You can see the whole race and where everyone is the entire race as there are no blind corners/buildings, etc...That series last maybe 10 weeks or so.
The fall is slow down here. Not much on the schedule.
Last edited by within; 06-26-07 at 09:26 PM.