Big Man Riding- Part II “Lessons From My First Worst Ride” Article and Photos By Tom Heath Part two of a scheduled series I was committed to riding my first El Tour and nervous about my conditioning, being on the road in a group and whether I could actually make a 40-mile journey on my “Mighty Schwinn.” So, the days of bike paths and subdivision streets behind me, I was now on the open road. Slight downhill from my front door for about 16 miles. The route heads out Old Nogales Highway, turns past the historic San Xavier Mission and to San Xavier Road. When you make the southward turn on Mission it climbs gradually from Mile Post (MP) 19 to 13 on lightly traveled and smooth back road. The short bridge at MP 13 offers a stopping point around 20 miles into the ride. The next five miles are a steeper climb through the backside of the mine on a less traveled and much less maintained road. MP 8 ends the climb and it flattens out for about a mile before a right turn and down a five-mile descent back into town. Another five miles or so back home and it's 35 for the day with a nice climb for a beginner. It was a route I came to hate, appreciate and finally enjoy. It was my "measuring stick" ride for years to see how my strength was progressing. I learned a lot on my first attempt, the kind of lessons you get only from a really bad day. Lesson 1: Keep the music off I never realized how many cyclists took advantage of the beautiful rides in my area so was I quite surprised by a group of 20 or so riding two abreast as they came up on me. I suddenly found myself in my first group ride and it was scary. I didn’t hear them coming because I was rocking AC/DC on the head phones, so as they whizzed past, likely more than doubling my speed, it startled me. Even when the group was well beyond me, I was looking for any others behind me so I overcompensated to the right and rode off the road onto the berm and then dirt. Bike and rider were bouncing uncontrollably and my commuter baskets (yea, I still had full rack and baskets on the bike because I was still making store runs) were rattling and coming unsecured. Lesson 2: Carry tools I had a spare tube and a bike pump, but no other tools, so I would have to complete the rest of the ride with my loose rack clanging, trying its best to separate from the bike. Lesson 3: Buy a speedometer/Odometer Until this point, I tracked my distance by driving the route first to get the mileage. This trip was an impromptu decision so I wasn’t sure Page 20
how far I was riding. I estimated 30 or so miles, not too far off, but I couldn’t determine how much was left at any given point. Unsure of the actual mileage, anxiety set in, creating a bigger challenge and causing me to pedal less, stop more and take longer breaks. From MP 19-13 I stopped three times to drink … Did I mention it was uphill? Lesson 4: Nutrition matters Twenty miles from home – riding below my average speed and moving later into the morning with a blistering sun beating down – my water Heath , (right) showing off a thinner self. was more than half gone. I was tired and had little Lesson 7: energy. No food, no "goo", no "gels" to Downhill is dangerous pick me back up. As I burned, and didn’t Having finally reached MP 8 the replenish, calories I got weaker and road flattened and soon turned to a everything negative in my body and rapid descent on Helmet Peak. Later, I mind was more exaggerated. estimated my basket-clanging bike was going around 25-plus mph. I had never Lesson 5: gone that fast and my reaction time was drastically shortened on a road I had Sunscreen never traveled. I wasn’t prepared for the The day's late start and slow pace pot holes. I hit a huge crack quite hard, put me out later than usual and my lack damaging my back wheel. I was of sunscreen would prove to be a fortunate again to have remained on my painful oversight. I was only half way bike, but my rear wheel was now through at a time when I was normally wobbling and rubbing against my done. As each hour passed, the sun took breaks. more of toll. Lesson 6: Make sure someone knows your route It occurred to me as I was moving up the less well-maintained road with my commuter baskets clanging, skin burning, stomach growling, and water running low . I may have taken on more than I was capable. I had no plan in place if I couldn’t make the distance. The area wasn’t isolated, but it was lonely for stretches of time. I had my phone, but no signal. There was nothing on me that would identify me in an emergency and no-one knew I was out here.
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Lesson 8: Accomplishment is its own reward My tired body – on a broken bike – took almost an hour to complete the last five miles. Altogether, my 35-mile adventure would take close to five hours. Tired, sun burned, sore, dehydrated and with a clanging, busted back wheel bike, it was the best I had felt in years. I had done something that just a few months ago I would never had attempted or likely survived. I was making progress. I would use the painful lessons to better prepare and in a few short months the Mighty Schwinn and I were in our first El Tour de Tucson. To Be Continued... November/December 2016
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Cycling Advocate Lyons Front And Center For New Safety Campaign Bicycle safety advocate Brendan Lyons is a man on a
to a lifetime of regret. Southern Arizona is a cycling paradise and with El Tour de Tucson, right around the corner, there could not be a better time to unveil.” The message was simple and concise: Don't drive distracted. And, give cyclists at least three feet when passing. His campaign includes six videos featuring community leaders who are cyclists. It makes people aware anyone at anytime something tragic can happen. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have teamed up to help launch a campaign through the wrapped patrol vehicles.
mission. And a man who doesn't know “no” for an answer. How else can you explain an advocate getting so much attention and leverage when it comes to dignitaries coming to his aid in helping making the streets of Tucson and Pima County more safe? In helping promote his non-profit Look Save A Life! He had Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Oro Valley Police Chief Daniel G. Sharp, Sen. Steve Farley and a number of others, including a packed house at the Tucson Fire Department downtown headquarters. It was all to raise awareness for “Distracted driving is more than an bicycle safety. Public Services enforcement issue, it’s a community announcements have been made and public safety issue,” said Pima police cars wraps have been placed County Sheriff Nanos. “For that with Look Save A Life logos. Police car wraps have been we are glad to partner with local “Bringing so many elected officials, and top leaders from our placed with Look Save A Life logos. law enforcement agencies and LOOK! Save a Life on this very community was extremely important message.” rewarding,” Lyons said. “This isn't Sen. Farley (D) was the first about one person, one Lyons knows all to well about organization or one agency. I wanted to distracted drivers. More than three years legislator in the country to introduce a bill to ban driving while texting. He has see the community come together to get ago, he and his then-girlfriend, Lorena, supported Lyons throughout his ordeal. behind one message. That message is to were struck by a distracted motorist. It “I know how important it is to have LOOK!, to paying attention while was his second time being struck. a state law governing distracted driving. driving. A moment's distraction can lead
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But a law alone will not work,” he said. “We need the kind of education and advocacy that LOOK! Save a Life practices every day. I am grateful for the lives they have saved through their outreach, and thankful that Brendan Lyons has transformed his personal tragedy into societal change." LOOK! Save A Life’s Public Safety Announcements were created in partnership with Dark Horse Media, Monsoon Production Services, and Steven Meckler Photography.
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
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November/December 2016
Advertise your race or event! email Tail Winds at info@perimeterbicycling.com
Calendar of Events
AR I ZONA Date Event 5-6 Nov Flagstaff CX 6-Nov Bike Ride Arizona: Tucson to Phoenix Dinner Bike Ride 5-Nov The Showdown at Usery Pass 9-Nov Christian Cycling Jam Session 12-Nov Colossal Vail 50-mile & 50k Ultra Run 12-19 Nov Indoor El Tour 12-13 Nov Bici Clasicas 13-17 Nov Virtual Israel Ride 13-Nov CLIF Bar AZ Cross powered by SRAM 15-Nov Urban Assualt Ride 16-Nov Silverbell Century 19-Nov 12 Hours of Fury 19-Nov Tucson Medical Center El Tour de Tucson 24-Nov Horse Lovers - Cranky Cross 3-Dec Hundo Mungus 10-Dec Tucson Marathon 10-Dec Himmel Cyclocross 10-Dec Dawn to Dusk 18-Dec Cycle for Good 14-Jan Bell Breaker 14-15-Jan P.F. Changs Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k 6-Feb Sedona Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10k & 5k 17-19 Feb 24 Hours int the Old Pueblo 20-Feb Havasu Havoc 25-Feb Phoenix Marathon & Half-Marathon 3-5 Mar Sedona Mountain Bike Festival 19-Apr Tucson Family Tri 26-Mar Tri 4 the Cure AZ - Women's Triathlon El Tour de Mesa 72, 28, 11 or 6-mile events 1-Apr 9-Apr Arizona Warrior Dash 23-Apr Tour de Cure Apr 23-24 Javelina Chase Apr 29-May 1 The Whiskey Off Road 6-May Whiskey Row Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10k & 5k 21-May Tempe International Triathlon
Sport Location contact phone Cyclocross Flagstaff, AZ cycling Tucson, AZ cycling Mesa, AZ cycling Tucson, AZ trail running Vail, AZ (602) 252-4794 cycling Worldwide (520) 745-2033 cycling Tucson, AZ cycling Tucson, AZ Cyclocross Tucson, AZ cycling Tucson, AZ (877) 228-4881 cycling Tucson, AZ cycling Fort McDowell, AZ (623) 330-0913 cycling Tucson, AZ (520)745-2033 cycling Phoenix, AZ mountain biking running Tucson, AZ Cyclocross Tucson, AZ mountain biking Fountain Hills, AZ (602) 312-4499 virtual Tucson, AZ mountain biking running Phoenix, AZ running Sedona, AZ mountain biking Tucson, AZ (520) 623-1584 mountain biking Lake Havasu City, AZ running Mesa, AZ mountain biking Sedona, AZ triathlon Tucson, AZ multi-sport Chandler, AZ cycling Mesa, AZ (520) 745-2033 obstacle race Glendale, AZ cycling Tucson, AZ (520) 795-3711 cycling Duncan, AZ mountain biking Prescott, AZ (520) 623-1584 running Prescott, AZ (928) 445-7221 multi-sport Tempe, AZ
website/e-mail azcross.com bikeridearizona.com mesabikerace.com christiancyclingtucson.com aztrail.org perimeterbicycling.com facebook.com/sandbox-showdown israelride.org azcross.com urbanassualtride.com bikegaba.com 4peaksracing.com perimeterbicycling.com azcross.com strava.com tucsonmarathon.com azcross.com dcbadventures.com tucsonjcc.com facebook.com/events beginnertriathlete.com sedonamarathon.com epicrides.com mbaa.net thephoenixmarathon.com sedonamtbfestival.com tucsonjcc.org triforthecureaz.com perimeterbicycling.com warriordash.com main.diabetes.org javelinachase.com epicrides.com whiskeyrowmarathon.com tucsonracing.com
C AL I FOR NI A
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Date
Event
Sport
1-Nov
Fat Tire Classic
mountain biking
Location
contact phone
website/e-mail
Walnut, CA
triplecrownseries.com
12-Nov
Pacifica Foothills Trail Run Half-Marathon
trail running
Pacifica, CA
marathons.ahotu.com
14-Nov
Palm Desert Century
cycling
Palm Desert, CA
shadowtour.com
16-Nov
Tour de Foothills
cycling
Upland, CA
tourdefoothills.com
16-Nov
Bike the Coast
cycling
Oceanside, CA
active.com
19-Mar
Salomon CITYTRAIL, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
trail running
Richmond, CA
retrailruns.com
1-Jan
New Year's Day Ride
cycling
Long Beach, CA
socalcycling.com
15-Jan
Honkers Motivational Marathon & Half-Marathon
running
Anaheim, CA
(714) 777-8092
honkersmarathon.com
21—Jan
Tour de Palm Springs 104-mile event
cycling
Palm Springs, CA
(760) 674-4700
tourdepalmsprings.com
28-Jan
SoCal Super Sprint Weekend
cycling
Pala, CA
spartan.com
4-Jan
Sean O'Brian Trail Runs 100k, 50m, 50k, 26m
trail running
Malibu, CA
sob5050.com
14-Feb
LA Marathon
running
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 542-3000
lamarathon.com
11-Mar
Rocky Hill Triathlon
multi-sport
Exeter, CA
(559) 592-9457
rockyhilltriathlon.com
11-Mar
Joshua Tree double Century
cycling
Twentynine Palms, CA
19-Mar
LA Marathon
running
Los Angeles, CA
19-Mar
Salomon CITYTRAIL, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
trail running
San Francisco, CA
running/multisport Orinda, CA
(213) 542-3000
mtnhighcycling.com lamarathon.com coastaltrailruns.com
25-Mar
Golden Gate Duathlon and 5k
2-Apri
Oakland Running Festival Marathon, Relay, Half-Marathon, 5k & Fun Run running/walking
Oakland, CA
9-Apr
Campagnolo Gran Fondo San Diego
cycling
Sn Diego, CA
29-Apri
San Diego Tour de Cure 100, 62, 29, 15 and 1-mile ride
cycling
San Diego, CA
8-9 Apr
HITS Triathlon Series
multi-sport
Napa Valley, CA
hitstriathlonseries.com
11-Apr
Tierra Bella
cycling
Gilroy, CA
tierrabella.org
6-May
Wild Wild West Marathon
running
Lone Pine, CA
15-May
Hope for Crohn's Blue Wave Triathlon/Duathlon
multi-sport
San Francisco, CA
(510) 371-5273
(619) 234-9897
(760) 876-4444
22-May
Sonoma County Background Challenge
cycling
Petaluma, CA
26-29 May
Great Western Bicycle Rally
cycling
Paso Robles, CA
Tail Winds
(917) 355-1317
wolfpackevents.com oaklandmarathon.com sdgranfondo main.diabetes.org
lonepinechamber.org hopeforcrohns.org backroadchallenge.com greatwesternbicyclerally.com
November/December 2016
13 Nov.
ARO UND   T H E  SOU T H W E S T & BE Y O ND Sport
Location
contact phone
Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon
running
Las Vegas, NV
7-Feb
Old Man Winter Bike Rally 50k and 100k ride
mountain biking
Boulder, CO
6-Mar
Moab Off Road Duathlon and Spring Trail Run
multi-sport
Moab, UT
19-Mar
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon and Half-Marathon
running
White Sands, NM
bataanmarch.com
9-Apr
Peterson Ridge Rumble 40 and 20-mile trail run
trail running
Sisters, OR
marathons.ahotu.com
22-Apr
Salt Lake City Marathon
running
Salt Lake City, UT
saltlakecitymarathon.com
6-May
Front Runner Century
cycling
Salt Lake City, UT
frontrunnercentury.com
30-Apr
Crested Butte Pole Pedal Paddle
multi-sport
Crested Butte, CO
crestedbutte3p.com
7-May
Colorado Marathon
running
Fort Collins, CO
thecoloradomarathon.com
20-May
Reach the Beach 100, 80, 55 and 28-mile ride
cycling
Pacific City, OR
action.lung.org
21-May
Santa Fe Century 100, 50, and 20-mile ride
cycling
Santa Fe, NM
santafecentury.com
19-21 May
Grand Junction Off-Road
mountain biking
Grand Junction, CO
21-May
Oregon Gran Fondo
cycling
Cottage Grove Oregon
(858) 450-6510
(970) 389-4838
(520) 623-1584
website/e-mail runrocknroll.competitor.com granfondo.com trainingrx.com
epicrides.com oregontriplecrown.com
REGIoNAL Bike Club Listings Road Cycling Arizona Phoenix Arizona Bicycle Club (602) 264-5478 azbikeclub@yahoo.com azbikeclub.com Arizona Phoenix Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club (602) 758-0722 pmbc-email@pmbcaz.org pmbcaz.org Arizona Phoenix Bull Shifters Bicycling Club garyandrochelle@cox.net bullshifters.org Arizona Phoenix EFAZ Cycling Team efazcycling@outlook.com efazcycling.wordpress.com Arizona Phoenix San Tan Shredders Group (480) 231-0028 santanshredders@outlook.com meetup.com/santan-shredders Arizona Tucson Cactus Cycling Club contact.us@cactuscycling.org cactuscycling.org Arizona Tucson Greater Arizona Bicycle Association (520) 990-1495 gabamail@comcast.net bikegaba.org Arizona Tucson Youth Tri Team (520) 299-3000 tucsonjcc.org Arizona Prescott Bike Prescott smonez@yahoo.com bikeprescott.com Arizona Saddlebrooke Saddlebrooke Cyclemasters hippos43@yahoo.com saddlebrookecyclemasters.org California Agoura Hills Planet Ultra Inc. embassy@planetultra.com planetultra.com California Antioch Delta Pedalers Bicycle Club matthew@poertner.net deltaped.org California Davis Davis Bike Club dbcpres@sbcglobal.net davisbikeclub.org California Fresno Fresno Cycling Club president@fresnocycling.com fresnocycling.com California Hawthorne LA Wheelmen schellhase@yahoo.com lawheelmen.org California Hercules San Francisco Randonneurs thteach@comunity.net sfrandonneurs.org California Los Angeles Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (213) 629-2142 la-bike.org California San Diego San Diego Bicycle Club (858) 495-2454 info_req@sdbc.org sdbc.org California San Deigo San Diego Cyclo-Vets cyclo-vets.com California San Diego Team Green teamgreenisgo@yahoo.com officialteamgreen.com Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club tandridge@netzero.net vegasbikeclub.org Nevada Reno Reno Wheelmen dan@renowheelmen.org renowheelmen.org New Mexico Albuquerque New Mexico Touring Society (505) 237-9700 nmts@swcp.com nmts.org Utah Salt Lake City Utah Velo Club stanswallow@att.net utahveloclub.com Mountain Biking Arizona Tucson TORCA (Tucson Off Road Cyclists & Activists) 520-591-1514 support@torca.org www.torca.org Arizona Tucson Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists dbarger1@cox.net sdmb.org Arizona Tucson Southern Arizona Mountain Biking Association (520) 623-9347 tbartlett79@earthlink.net sambabike.org California Los Angeles South Bay Mountain Bike Club (626) 840-8967 mtbike4@earthlink.net California Woodland Hills Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association rothma@earthlink.net corbamtb.com Nation Wide International Mountain Bicycling Association imba.com Nevada Nevada City Bicyclists of Nevada County (530) 274-DIRT bonc.org
November/December 2016
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Calendar of Events
Event
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Date
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