First, a little Samaniego news. Due to numerous requests, a GPX file for Samaniego Ridge is now available here:
http://topofusion.com/GPX/share/Samaniego Ridge – Nov 2010.gpx
That’s my most recent track. The next MTB crew not only cleared more trail (even trail beyond Walnut Spring is getting work), but they took bike-eneering to a new level:
photo by Duncan Caldwell — more pictures here
They got their bikes and selves successfully down the cliff, thus avoiding the “corkscrew of death” section. I’m speechless.
It’s great to see so much renewed interest in the trail, not only from mountain bikers but hikers and runners, too. My friend Doug ran up the trail (a reverse shuttle!), and it only took him a bit over five hours! Sirena took a solo backpacking trip on the ridge, and has shared her experience, including some very nice photos. Check it out on her blog, Sirena’s Wanderings. Another crew of riders is planning to climb the Control Road and descend Sammie this weekend, followed by more MTB maintenance crews in early Dec. And Max Morris is planning a Sammie assault, one-upping the 14 hour ride Chad and I did a few weeks ago (and I am all for one-upsmanship).
Paula and I spent the weekend in the Santa Rita mountains, at the AES Kentucky Camp event. This race has never been timed well for me. November’s cool temperatures always tempt me into big rides, and by the time this event happens I’m cooked.
I’ve always said that over-training is under-rated, though.
This year was no exception, with Coconino, Sammie epics piled onto Sammie epics, and an overdose of Fantasy Island just for good measure.
Luckily the pace started out mellow, as everyone warmed up. I was happy because it meant Beto Villegas (undisputed king of Kentucky Camp) was caged, for the moment. We rolled through the initial stretch of Arizona Trail, and eventually Beto and I ended up at the front. Pretty much as soon as it turned to 2-track Beto took the lead and increased the pace. I responded, for a while, but knew my chances of survival in such a melee were little to none. I actually felt pretty good, but knew that my top end potential was limited, at best.
I had a big ring to his 1×9 setup, so I figured I’d catch him on the 7 miles of road that followed. The wind ripped us hard, and I struggled to keep him in sight, never making up any ground, even when mashing the big ring. I’m not the most aerodynamic of riders, but I was still surprised I couldn’t reel him in.
My only chance was to focus on consistency and hope he faded. I studied his tracks intently, not only because they showed me the way (I had a GPS track, of course, but there are some tricky turns out there), but also because they told me how far ahead he was. Whenever I’d pass another cyclist or horse rider I’d pay attention for the spot where his tracks were again on top. I knew I was never far behind, and I let myself believe the gap was closing.
Speaking of letting myself believe things, I did a lot of work on my bike before the event. It was a long time coming, and well timed because I was able to fool myself into thinking I had more composure than I did, simply because my bike was running well. New tires, overhauled pivots, new grips, re-tuned suspension, new brake pads, a new rotor, slightly different position. I had more confidence on some of the rubbly/rutted stuff out there than ever before, and I think it transferred over to the entire ride, even climbing smooth dirt roads. Confidence = confidence, it spreads.
In the past I have always slummed my way through these trails. I’ve either ridden from Parker Lake or Mexico to get here (and it’s already dark), or I’m in the middle of an all day loop around the Santa Ritas. I’ve never had energy, and never ridden them at speed. As I continue to learn, some trails really come alive when you are pushing it, and the AZT here is no exception. I saw them in a new light, and was thoroughly pleased by the revelation.
I was even more pleased that I never tanked. I couldn’t push a scorching pace, but I could hover below there, seemingly forever. It’s not my usual style for racing, but it meant I was able to enjoy the riding with seemingly a minimum of suffering. I think my expectation (of suffering badly and tanking early) helped color that perception.
photo by Mary Reynolds
Read the article on the race by Mary for the Tucson Examiner, with more pics too. Very cool to see coverage of AES events.
I never caught sight of Beto again, but I did hold the gap at roughly five minutes for the last 2 hours of the race. I was also able to hold Krista off, who I knew was not far behind. Speaking of Krista, check out her women only clinic in early December, up in Phoenix. So I ended up second place, and 4:25 for 46 miles.
Half the appeal of these events is getting together with all the cool folks that show up. It was great to put faces to a bunch of people I have only met online, and reconnect with others I don’t see often. We had a great night and good food.
Paula and I were the last to get up, and most everyone was gone by the time we got out of the tent! We continued to focus our efforts on being as lazy as possible. Cloud watching from the tent, napping, eating, more napping. Eventually we did end up on bikes, for Paula’s first mountain bike ride since surgery!
Look out! This time she’s out for blood.
The AZT from Sahaurita Road to Swecoville was the perfect re-intro ride for her, and the perfect recovery ride for me.
Smooth and swoopy, fast and fun.
Except when you’re pushing into strong wind. But we took it super easy on the way out, and then let the wind push us on the way back down.
Big views. The AZT is going somewhere — to those sky islands!
Paula was getting more and more excited as we went, giggling at little bumps and rises. It’s been too long for her. For a while she was exceeding my recovery pace. But she reeled it back in and made the choice to turn around even when it was getting fun. Good by me — I didn’t need to ride more than the 1.5 hrs we were out there.
We’ll be riding this piece of AZT, and more, as an Arizona Trail benefit, in the second annual AZT Jamboree. Jan 15th, 2011 is the date. Details here:
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