Four days later I, indeed, find myself on yet another stupid ride. But at least I’m not hiking my bike; I’m pulling the Bob trailer on Jon Shouse and Chris Everist’s second “stupid ride” series. Number one was around the Rincons, this time it was the Catalinas. Paula also joined in on this ride, almost tripling her longest ride ever.
We pedaled down our driveway at about 5am, with the sun barely lighting the sky. At Alvernon and Pima we met Todd Sadow, followed by ‘the group’ of Jon, Yvonne and Rudy. Later in town we picked up Chris.
It was getting warm before we climbed Redington Pass. The Bob was loaded with frozen gatorade and water, so I wasn’t worried, though I was wondering how everyone else on the ride would hold up. The extra water (and food, tools, floor pump) cost me dearly on the climb up Redington. The ‘invisible hand of Bob’ — says Lee, holding you back at even the slightest incline. It kept me struggling to stay with Paula on the climb, which was fine with me.
Amazingly, Rudy did not ride a singlespeed–he switched gears for the climb! 🙂
I had gotten a very painful massage from Briana only two days before (my first for over a year), and my calves were not the least bit recovered from it. As a result I had knives in the calves throughout the climb. I was wondering if I’d have to ditch the bob in the desert, mark a waypoint and retrieve it on a later ride. Actually I wasn’t sure that even that would help–maybe my legs were just hosed.
At the top awaited another rider–on a road bike–Greg. He expressed keen interest in our Brush Corrals Epic ride this spring, claiming to have explored the Buehman wash area. He said to let him know when other rides like that were happening. Another possible fool for my fool-hearty rides!
The flats proved more tolerable as the knives were slowly removed from my calves (with perhaps a little twisting on the way out). The rollers and punch ’em hills were not quite as fun with the bob to hold me back, but some of the straight shot downhills were like getting shot out of a cannon (given all the extra weight). I rode near the back, waiting for Paula and Jon.
The first downhill corner that required some braking re-taught me to brake earlier with a trailer. My brakes just can’t slow down that much momentum so quickly.
Fat Saguaro canyon was nice as always. Paula and I stopped to snap photos, then rolled down to the junction to find everyone waiting. The next section north of here recalled harrowing memories for me — of “Over the Lemmon, part 2.” This was the only section that made me think twice about bringing the Bob because of the relentless and invisible washboards.
Today, it was a breeze. We all rode surprisingly well and made awesome time. I bridged up to Rudy, Chris and Todd, then blasted around them–just for fun. I was happy to be riding ‘knife free’ and through sections where the bob has little or no effect. It may actually help on the washboards–a bit more momentum can’t be a bad thing!
We climbed up to San Manuel and for an instant I was tempted to climb Lemmon rather than head to Oracle. But then I remembered the knives, and the still heavy load behind me–though it was getting lighter with Paula and I drinking and eating away.
In San Manuel we stopped for a good break. Everyone loaded up at the gas station while Paula and I just cracked open the Bob. Ah, ice cold gatorades. On the climb up Webb road we both stuffed frozen ones in our jerseys to keep us cool. For a few minutes devoid of wind it was actually hot, but a headwind was soon kicking up–a welcome change.
On the pavement near Oracle Todd reports Paula asking “where are we, are we to Oracle yet?” When informed we had made it (and knowing it was essentially downhill from there) she was estatic. We stopped in the shade to regroup, and the signs of fatigue were noticeable in nearly everyone’s face (except Rudy, who was well ahead of us having pounded it up the climb). Paula, on the other hand was looking fresh. It was awesome. She had surpassed her longest ride mark (about 45 miles before), and with each pedal stroke was extending it.
As we cruised almost effortlessly down Oracle RD she counted off the miles with excitement: 75, 80, 90! Woo hoo..!! It was getting hot, but 20 mph of wind was enough to keep the heat at bay… until we climbed out of Oro Valley. From here to the house it turned somewhat into a deathmarch. Gone are the days of low 90 degrees… we were near 100 today and we definitely felt it.
We melted down the rivertrail, bidding farewell to our companions who crossed the mountain bridge. Some of the group (all will remain nameless) did not complete the full loop, opting for some vehicular assistance through town. I can’t say I blame them though. The last 2 miles back to our house were painful. 3pm is not a good time to be standing in the sun, waiting for a break in traffic on Grant Road, all with 105 miles behind you.
I am very impressed by Paula on the ride. She kept up a nice pace and did not tire. It shows how far general fitness can transfer over to other sports. It’s also about mental fortitude, though, and she definitely has that. Things are looking good for our upcoming big trip: The Great Divide
105.5 miles, 7600 feet of climbing, 8 hours moving time
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