Soul

It is two weeks to the Soul Ride, so this weekend was my last long ride before the event. Really, it’s just an excuse to ride long. Not that I need one, anyway.

After last week’s hike n’ climb fest, I wanted to just get some miles in, hopefully without walking and anaerobic climbing. I am still not fully recovered from that ride–I can feel it in my legs. So I weighed the choices: Redington, east-side Santa Ritas, a return to Mt. Graham, TMP, and Oracle area. I had pretty much decided to not pre-ride any of the soul ride course, but soon realized that the area was perfect for the type of ride I had in mind–easy dirt roads that you can drain your legs on.

Thus, Peltonen S and I headed north on 77. We went out on the start of the course and were soon walking on Cody trail. There will be some hot heads at this point and people are going to tense up. The correct strategy is unknown, but it will be interesting. I’m certain the correct strategy is not to complain, though. The trail is slow going–1.5 hours into the race we’re still going to be in Oracle, not well on our way to ticking miles off the 100.

The Cat 1 roadie from Wisconsin was none too happy about the climb and the amount of walking he had to do. At the top I observed the silence as I waited for him. The San Pedro valley was filled with a light fog, and the air smelled fresh, like a recent rain. I was just glad to be alive, to be out doing what I love.

The descent to San Manuel had me falling to the follies of GPS. MR Sadow drew this section using aerials and topos from TopoFusion, which was bad (for us). Apparently there are a few dirt roads on the quads that do not exist in real life. I made the mistake of trusting the GPS over reality. Fie, what a fool.

So we followed a cow trail that was almost heading in the (GPS) correct direction and were soon hopping over cactus and cussing up a powerful storm. Didn’t I race the course last year? I don’t seem to remember anything.

After 45 minutes of bushwhacking we reached the gas pipeline and headed northwest to attempt a descent to San Manuel. Of course, my rear tire went flat at this point from all the cactus-bush-whacking. After the flat we were 2.5 hours into the ride and still basically in Oracle. We were making great time.

As we climbed a few pipeline hills (Sadow’s favorite) we saw another rider and quickly gave chase, hoping that he was on the course. We followed, but I missed the ATV track turn and instead dropped to the pavement on the most direct route. We came out in front of the other rider, who I assumed was to turn left, pre-riding the 30 mile course. To my surprise, he turned right, headed for the haul road climb.

Oh Fool Me. My next mistake: jokingly telling Shane to get into a paceline because we needed to drop our rider friend. He took me seriously and motored off down the road. Soon my legs were burning just attempting to draft off the roadie, finally back in his element.

It didn’t end when the elements turned more natural; as the haul road began he continued with the motor–in big ring. I dropped back, feeling the fatigue in my legs still fresh. Still, we maintained a good clip and were soon at the Control Road (an hour and 15 minues I think). Compared to last year’s Soul Ride, where my energy stores went negative on this climb, it was a cake-walk.

It was Shane’s bright idea to force a bonk on this ride, so he refrained from eating for the first 4 hours and also ate no breakfast. So, at this point, he entered a little town I like to call hoytsville. He slowed down considerably and for the insanity-inducing control road climbs I stayed with him or pushed the pace in places. We dodges endless piles of grasshoppers–both in live and carcass form.

It seems these suckers are cannibals–they like to eat their fallen comrades. So they pile on top of the bodies, soon to be smashed by another truck’s wheel. The cycle continues until large piles form. It was getting fairly to mostly disgusting after a while. For some reason, they only seemed to be present in the redder soil areas.

A few tire tuffy’s passed us out on this fine Saturday afternoon. Plus a pair of jacked up suburbans passed us doing 55. The consideration and common sense was astounding.

Numbers: 7 Hours (1 flat, bushwhacking), 57 miles, 6600 feet of climbing.

Overall a solid ride and a great day to get out. I absolutely love this area and cherish any opportunity to get out here. Some may think it strange, but I love riding the control and haul roads where there is little evidence of human kind. After the Soul Ride I will have to make it back out for a Control Road-Oracle Ridge ride.