Arizona Camp 2008 Day 3 MVP Checks Back in on Day 4...

Wed., March 19th- Corresponding  Secretary “RUBS” (aka Bruce)

After the 6:15 Starbucks workout,  the boys headed over to Sabino Canyon Recreation Area for a 90 minute run up Bear Canyon/ Seven Falls trail.  After the early week downpour, the streams are running full.  4 creek crossings each way assured cold wet shoes. Eric, with his new Zoot beauties with the holes in the bottom, had great drainage. Others enjoyed that “sloshing” feel…. The sunrise over the Santa Catalina Mtns.  was stunning. The trail was rocky and challenging. The scenery was desert lush. This is the southwest desert equivalent to running in the High Peaks region in the Adirondacks. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.

After a quick refueling at Jamba Juice and a bagel (or 6, in Jeff’s case), we prepared for the Kitt Peak ascent. We made the 50 mile ride over to the base (via truck). The day was setting up perfectly. Facing this 8000 ft. elevation, 12 mile, 8 percent grade ride, it was easy to unzip the jersey and get ready to work up a good sweat. The temp was now in the high 70’s and continuing up. The wind was at our backs. Perfect. I took off a little early to see how my legs/hip would handle the pressure. Everything felt good. I popped in a little of Eric’s “The Best of Frank Sinatra” and was really motivated to ride – wow!!

Around the 4 mile marker, I felt someone sucking my rear wheel. I had worked up a great sweat and was not going to look around for fear of riding over the edge. I figured that anyone who needed to draft an old fart (me!) was in need of all the help they could get…

Eric finally came up parallel and I asked him if he was using a compact crank – he was spinning too quickly/easily to be riding a normal crank… Needless to say, that was all of the inspiration he required to drop me like a hot tamale. He was around the next rock outcropping and gone in minutes. BTW, this 'thoughtful' question came up later that night at dinner…'Mr. Eric' took it as an insult!!. Big Rocks – I got him going!!!! A rare feat.

The panorama on the way up was incredible. As slowly as you are going, you can take in all of the sights. It was funny.  As I was riding up,  watching my heart rate monitor to avoid redlining,  I had a good rhythm going and it felt like it was getting a little easier. Maybe as it got cooler I felt better. The steepness was very consistent so that wasn’t it. Mile 6 (hooray, half way up), 7,8,9… With 2 miles to go, snow appeared in the shadows. The cooler wind was picking up. The Kitt Peak Observatory was in sight – those big white orbs. A few super fast cyclists were bombing down – no fear in that group. Up around the final bend, the end was in sight. I let out a “roar” of satisfaction. With off season marathon prep and little bike training, I actually made it to the top faster than last year. Maybe there’s something to be said for getting stronger after taking some time off. Or maybe the cumulative effects of 5 years of longer biking are paying off. Who knows. It felt great.

I may be the only guy who descends slower than ascends… pitiful but not too far off the mark. I do not enjoy descending this mountain on a tri bike. Never have. Probably never will. Once I got past the early stage “death grip”, I settled in okay. Eric was the first one down and well on his way across Rte 86 back to Tucson. I met Gus and Jeff at the bottom. They picked up a ride in Jill”s truck to catch up to Eric and avoid the “no shoulder” road from Kitt for approx. 16 miles back toward Tucson. . I decided to ride the 50+ miles back from the base. The heat of the day reached somewhere in the low 80’s. There was a light headwind.. Rte.86 is a fairly straight, flat, not particularly scenic ride – particularly after what we just visually experienced on Kitt Peak. The cars/trucks were very rider friendly. I got aero and settled into a good cadence for the push back. We passed a border patrol checkpoint – these guys are truly looking for illegals! And I received an earful from a policewoman about riding thru a construction zone away from the traffic. Otherwise it was a pretty uneventful return trip.  Even in the 18-22 mph zone, it was a mentally challenging ride.  Boy did it feel good to get back to the hotel and settle into a sweet Tacate!

Another training day done. After another run in Saguaro Ntl. Park at 6:30am,  we hit Mt. Lemmon tomorrow. 27 miles to the top of that beauty. But it’s an easier incline vs. Kitt.  I plan on taking in the awesome physical beauty on the way up. And I hope to avoid getting blown over around the 22 mile mark. The strong gusting wind won’t catch me off guard again this year J.