Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Pactour Elite Southern Transcontinental: Day 3

Day 3: Gila Bend AZ to Globe AZ
Mileage/Ride Time: 143 miles 8:52 Time Lv/Arr: 6:00am/4:18pm
Climbing: 6000ft Avg Speed/Work: 16.0mph/3784 kJ

I was nervous and a bit uncertain after a very tough day yesterday.

Only got 5 hours of sleep last night. I was wondering how my legs might respond given that there was significant climbing today.

Fortunately, the first 80 miles to the lunch stop was basically flat largely without headwind. I participated in several pacelines, making the job easier. After lunch, the climbing begins through Superior onto Gila, then down to Globe. I climbed solo. I find it's always better that way when the grade gets as steep as it did today.

Profile is here:


Route 60 was scary in places. High speed truck traffic plus a 800 ft uphill tunnel (shown below) with cars passing at > 60 mph.

There was a water stop just beyond the tunnel. I really needed it. I drank 48 fl oz in 18 miles.
Up against the rocks for almost no shade:

Overall I had a pretty good day considering. No punctures (unlike the 4-puncture nightmare of yesterday). Legs weren't completely toast.
Onto I-8 early in the morning, it seemed like someone was stopping every few minutes with a puncture. Tomorrow is a big climbing day: 11,000 ft and the Salt River Canyon.

Course (MapSource and Google Earth):

5 comments:

  1. That is one hot section of road. email me about your plans once you make it to the east coast. I am just 2 hours north of your final stop in the Atlantic.

    Erik Singletary

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  2. Extraordinary: the whole thing.
    Please say hello to my friend Puddy.
    (... read yr stuff, but I think the non sci-fi of I Banks - no M-
    is better.)
    Eat, sleep, pee (in restircted places), ride.
    Have a safe trip.

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  3. Sandiway, best of luck to you.

    I suppose you could have used those Campy aero bottles that I posted about on eBay, at cyclingforum.com, but then they are in Italy and you are not! Oh well, they would not have been big enough, anyway.... ;-)

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  4. Andrew Puddy from Australia?

    He reminded me a couple of times to take my gloves off and wash my hands at the stops.

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  5. Erik, I believe Jim Montgomery will/has contacted you.

    ReplyDelete