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Howdy all,
We're just about a month away from the 25th Annual El Tour de Tucson. I just signed myself up for the 109 mile route. This will be my first time at the tour, as well as my first large organized ride. Just this last sunday was my first group riding experience. I can't wait to be there riding with thousands of other cyclists. I was a bit surprised however that my race number is 2946. I thought there'd be more riders signed up by now. They were predicting close to 10,000 right?
Anyways, just wanted to get this thread started. Anyone else signed up yet?
Matt
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I'm signed up and loking forward to the Mt Lemon challenge on Thurs. Also looking for a carpool from San Diego.
Oh Yeah! My favorite ride is coming up! http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!ETT/eltourtime.html
Hotel's booked, dinner with friends on the books, selected route into town carefully planned (because the I-10 construction closes all exits on an 8-mile stretch - you might look this up. It's pretty clean, I was through there last week, but it's going to monkey up a LOT of people trying to get to the TCC).
It's a GREAT ride! I'm sure we'll hear from the pundits but it's still my favorite. And I've been doing a fair number of rides out-of-state to compare.
remember the simple things like "on your left" and don't-draft-too-close and cleat-covers, you'll likely agree with me in 44,770 minutes or so
I'm super stoked... first time doing the ride.
Lol...nice countdown. Quick question - Do the timing chips record when I cross the start line? I don't want to be stuck in the back of the line waiting for 2 hours to cross the start line while my official start time is accruing interest.
When's a good time to line up for the 7 AM 109 mile start?
Is there a place that counts how many riders they have registered yet? I'm 2946, but expected more by now. Only a month left, ie 43593 minutes.
Calm down kidz!!!
This will be my 24th El Tour. Missed one because boss would not let me off work.
There are different colored numbers/sequences for the different distances.
My number is 14069, but I will be riding it as Bike Patrol, not racing it.
Raced it the first 2 years and yes, there were only about 190 of us that first year, and placed 26th, if memory serves me right. And it did then include a stretch of dirt road asides from the crossing of the washes/river.
Remember: sunscreen/drink/eat/pee!
Now projected to have about 11,000 riders.
So be careful out there, don't want to have to stop and take care of you in a pileup!
Timing chips being used automatically record your leave/finish time. So the first one over the finish line 'may' not be the winner (but usually is), but timing chip will tell.
So matters not where in the group you start. Heck folks tend to line up way before daybreak, but that's not really necessary with timing chip.
Still one of the best organized one-day rides.
My wife has ridden it about 15 times with me on our tandem as Bike Patrol.
Remember: YOU will not be first! . . . so go out and ride it and enjoy El Tour!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
WOW 24! Awesome.
Do you know how the numbers are working? I'm 2946 and you're 14069, but you're a bike patrol person. Was I only the 2946th person to register?
Know what the elevation change is gonna be like for the ride?
Generally speaking, we don't find out how the numbers worked until afterwards. Blocks of numbers do things.
The timing chips all start on a given time. Try not to wait two hours to cross the line. But guess what, you will be OK no matter what. I usually get out at 20 mins. and don't cry about it = my computer gives me my real time.
Elevation is on the website. Your only real problems are, one cools down at the sabino-creek stop and is not ready for the climbs, and one burns up and is not ready for oracle climb - and of course, one is not fueled up for the last 20 miles. Sounds like every other centry ride, huh?
Do not know quite how the number system works. But each distance gets its own color and does not start up from number 'one' all over again. You will be getting your bib/number when you pick up your registration packet.
With Bike Patrol have had number as low as 4 (last year). Registered at beginning of September the past half-dozen years . . . so no real pattern there.
Altitude in Tucson runs around the 2200' mark and up (Oracle Road/Sun City area +/- 2640') and yes there's a few hills to climb, but no mountains. If you've been doing hillwork and miles for the past few months and don't come from sea level, altitude is not an issue.
Depending on your climbing ability/fitness, you'll be doing a fair amount of shifting, but there's also some great long/fast descents that you can either coast or get into your 54/12 gear and pedal (your choice!).
#2946 does not indicate you were the 2946th rider to register . . .
A lot of folks come to this event and 'want to be first' . . . it only happens to one person! If you can pedal a sub 4 1/2 hour century then its only 'maybe!'
The main thing is to enjoy the ride; pedaling in a huge pack can be dangerous so be aware of your surroundings and make no sudden maneuvers. Have always found the first 20 miles to be the most problematic as everybody is hustling and all pumped up and maybe not as careful as they can be.
By the end of the century some folks are a bit pooped and loose concenration.
Having said that, crashed only once on El Tour when someone changed their line suddenly on a fast curve. Leaning way too hard to avoid crash, bopped my pedal on pavement and went down with only minor road rash.
So we'll let you young ones do the hardnose stuff; at age 75 am glad to be still out there!
Pedal on!
Rudy
Supposedly the hardcore riders (but not quite Platinum-hardcore) get there at 3 am...
Howdy all,
We're just about a month away from the 25th Annual El Tour de Tucson. I just signed myself up for the 109 mile route. This will be my first time at the tour, as well as my first large organized ride. Just this last sunday was my first group riding experience. I can't wait to be there riding with thousands of other cyclists. I was a bit surprised however that my race number is 2946. I thought there'd be more riders signed up by now. They were predicting close to 10,000 right?
Anyways, just wanted to get this thread started. Anyone else signed up yet?
Matt
im signing up next week. The 10k estimate was based on total show for all rides so maybe yours just represents the 109 distance. Im kind of bummed cause my kids have soccer so my wife cant drive me down there and ill have a 10 mile ride to get there. Id hate to try to park down there anyways, thats a real congested area.
I'm signed up and loking forward to the Mt Lemon challenge on Thurs. Also looking for a carpool from San Diego.
Mt lemmon challenge? that sounds cool, I really love that ride..
How do the rest stops work? Is it usually a pain to stop and wait for other riders to fill up their water bottles? Do they just hand you a poland springs bottle or something? How does it work?
P.S. - This will be my first real timed century. Only other centuries I've done were on my heavy, loaded, touring bike where it took all day. That's why I'm worried about start timing. I want to see what I can do on my new carbon fiber frame.
Elevation is on the website. Your only real problems are, one cools down at the sabino-creek stop and is not ready for the climbs, and one burns up and is not ready for oracle climb - and of course, one is not fueled up for the last 20 miles. Sounds like every other centry ride, huh?
For some reason I can't find the info containing the route and elevations. Mind sharing a link?
http://www.pbaa.com/!ETT/ETThome.html
For some reason I can't find the info containing the route and elevations. Mind sharing a link?
http://www.pbaa.com/!ETT/ETThome.html
http://www.pbaa.com/!ETT/eltourmap.htm
Yeah, rest stops (especially the first ones) get crowded, but I expect we'll get through in just a few minutes. I rode HH100 this year (11000 riders) and one rest stop took a whole 5 minutes, somewhat worse than the average El Tour. But the cookies were worth it!
Rest stops are limited, but the crews are great - often there's people with pitchers of water out by the road, you just drift in, fill up and ride off. If you have any special requirements you'd best pack your own. Think fruit, water, cookies at the 30-mile stop, and really that's all you can count on. Maybe we'll luck out and get some gatorade, maybe not - maybe it'll be like STP and all they have is pukish-bananna sport drink that you're better off without! I also remember a moldy PBJ sandwich, and fresh fruit is just fine with me, no point in getting picky. (But I do like the pancake stop at mile 70 fire station)
As for the start - if you line up in gold/silver, you'll be over the line in just 10 minutes or so. Start your bike computer then and/or note the time on the clock as you roll by, because there's really not a lot else you can do. Unless there's been a change, all timing chips start at 7am. Every year it is debated - every year PBAA declares "it's a ride not a race" and that's how it is. Someday when you're truly fast, you'll qualify for platnium, and then you won't have to be like the rest of us - but for now it's a ride, not a race, and I wish you luck with your personal-best but please try not to hurt anybody.
Yeah it's congested down there (especially this year) but it's not hard to find parking at 6am. Don't pull into a parking garage with bikes on your roof! If you do choose to line up very early, be careful about watering the bushes there, that's a federal building. Those black things on the posts are cameras. They've had security out there before and I'd hate for you to get sent to gitmo!
Momod: Suggestion for you. Drive to TCC in car with bike the day before El Tour. Park car and pedal home. So, you'll have car waiting when you're done. Been doing that for years as finding a parking place on ride day is nearly impossible and having someone pick you is also a hassle . . .
Original El Tour started at Sabino Canyon for several years, then it moved to El Conquistador (Oro Valley) and now for years has been at TCC downtown. Lots more parking there, more hotels and lots more riders!
Rest stops are not much of a problem. Sometimes the porta-potty line can be a bit long; water stops do not hand out bottled water, but at some stops volunteers will hold your bike or bring a water jug/cup with water for refill. If stopping, do pull off the road surface as there's a couple more 100 folks right behind you.
If you are not used to riding in high desert area, be forewarned that you need to drink more than what you would elsewhere, due to usual very low humidity. It has only rained on El Tour once, so odds are aginst that.
Have had some colder morning starts. You could get chilled standing around for an hour or so before the gun goes off.
Here is a system that has worked quite well for me. Grab a couple pages of newspaper, fold it and tuck in between your chest and jersey; great insulator an disposable at a rest stop. Or, if you have them, use arm warmers/vest that you can peel off and tuck into jersey pocket/bag.
If you do not plan on using too many stops, bring 2 bottles of water or a large camelback. A good suggestion is to pack some of your favorite munchies (gelpax, fruit, p-bars) just in case what they have at rest stop is not to your taste/liking.
As for timed centuries, have ridden well over a hundred of them. Fastest was 4:45 in Canada with the next day's return trip century at 4:50. However was only age 39 then; now at 75 it takes a mite longer!
Main thing is, enjoy El Tour . . .
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Momod: Suggestion for you. Drive to TCC in car with bike the day before El Tour. Park car and pedal home. So, you'll have car waiting when you're done. Been doing that for years as finding a parking place on ride day is nearly impossible and having someone pick you is also a hassle . . .
Original El Tour started at Sabino Canyon for several years, then it moved to El Conquistador (Oro Valley) and now for years has been at TCC downtown. Lots more parking there, more hotels and lots more riders!
that sounds like a reasonable idea, the thought of riding home after the ride with all the cooling off was not very appealing.
Rest stops are not much of a problem. Sometimes the porta-potty line can be a bit long; water stops do not hand out bottled water, but at some stops volunteers will hold your bike or bring a water jug/cup with water for refill. If stopping, do pull off the road surface as there's a couple more 100 folks right behind you.
If you are not used to riding in high desert area, be forewarned that you need to drink more than what you would elsewhere, due to usual very low humidity. It has only rained on El Tour once, so odds are aginst that.
Have had some colder morning starts. You could get chilled standing around for an hour or so before the gun goes off.
Here is a system that has worked quite well for me. Grab a couple pages of newspaper, fold it and tuck in between your chest and jersey; great insulator an disposable at a rest stop. Or, if you have them, use arm warmers/vest that you can peel off and tuck into jersey pocket/bag.
If you do not plan on using too many stops, bring 2 bottles of water or a large camelback. A good suggestion is to pack some of your favorite munchies (gelpax, fruit, p-bars) just in case what they have at rest stop is not to your taste/liking.
As for timed centuries, have ridden well over a hundred of them. Fastest was 4:45 in Canada with the next day's return trip century at 4:50. However was only age 39 then; now at 75 it takes a mite longer!
Main thing is, enjoy El Tour . . .
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandemgreat advice, thanks! I was thinking about getting one of those bottle cage mounts that attach to the seatpost. I could wear my camelbak but id like to keep my load light on my body
How are support vehicles with support to riders who flat or other mechanical problems?
No support vehicles allowed. However Bike Patrol will help with mechanical/minor accident issues. Required to bring your own repair/patch kit/pump or inflators. Most experienced cyclists can do most of their own fixing of flats, dropped chain, broken spoke etc. There will be a couple spots with bike shop personnel to do stuff if needed and EMTs/Ambulance are on call. Yup, stuff happens!
So keep your wits about you . . . and have fun!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Momod:
We don't like carrying camelbacks/backpacks on our backs. Keep stuff on the bike frame. Seatpost mounted cage(s) is fine. I have one cage mounted on handlebars (with plastic straw for sipping) and one on downtube on my single. You can also carry spare full bottle in jersey pocket, but recommend keeping the spout pulled open . . . in case of a crash and doing a paratrooper roll over the bars, the water will be able to squirt out on impact.
On our tandem we have bottle cages on front and rear handlebars and room for 5 more on the frame.
El Tour is so well supported you don't really need to load up your jersey pockets with chow!
The only other ride we've been on that is as well organized/supported is TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley) in Ohio.
Will be doing part of GABA's Tumacacori Century this Sunday on our tandem.
Keep it rubber side down!
Rudy
Momod:
We don't like carrying camelbacks/backpacks on our backs. Keep stuff on the bike frame. Seatpost mounted cage(s) is fine. I have one cage mounted on handlebars (with plastic straw for sipping) and one on downtube on my single. You can also carry spare full bottle in jersey pocket, but recommend keeping the spout pulled open . . . in case of a crash and doing a paratrooper roll over the bars, the water will be able to squirt out on impact.
On our tandem we have bottle cages on front and rear handlebars and room for 5 more on the frame.
El Tour is so well supported you don't really need to load up your jersey pockets with chow!
The only other ride we've been on that is as well organized/supported is TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley) in Ohio.
Will be doing part of GABA's Tumacacori Century this Sunday on our tandem.
Keep it rubber side down!
Rudy
I really thought about riding that, I need to get involved with GABA for sure. I have close to 5k but have only been riding a about 15 months and I hardly ever group ride.. I did the Tour De phx and felt real comfortable in the pelaton and I do handle my bike pretty well but I would like to get some group rides in. Im real close to Udall park and I they have some practice rides.. heading up north today I think, its beautiful as usual..:)
Pick up a GABA Update at almost any bke shop. Several rides listed for each week including El Tour training rides that start at Udall Park
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=56815&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1192682243
You look really familiar. My friend is doing the El Tour I think...
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=56815&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1192682243
You look really familiar. My friend is doing the El Tour I think...
Who ya talking to?
fuzzzbox:
Have been riding in this town since 1978 and primarily ride a tandem. Member of GABA and ride all over town.
Then I most likely have... Interesting.
PBAA is predicting 10,500 to 11,000 riders this year - possibly as much as 11,200 riders! Yahoo! Bigger than/equal to Hotter 'n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, and that was a LOT of fun
PBAA is predicting 10,500 to 11,000 riders this year - possibly as much as 11,200 riders! Yahoo! Bigger than/equal to Hotter 'n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, and that was a LOT of fun
dang... my training has really deteriorated unfortunately.. a 10k peleton is just what the doctor ordered..:p
Hows everyone getting there?
I figured id take Zona's advice and drive down the night before.. should be a blast guys.. I need to go register right now..
If you don't have yer hotel, you may be far, far away.
Registration & packet pickup close on Friday. No saturday registration
answer me this fellers..
When I go on a longer ride I often listen to my ipod, just one ear of course unless im in a deserted area. I would assume that is frowned upon in El Tour?
Yes, I do believe it would be frowned upon, especially in the elbow-to-elbow first 20 miles. In most of the big organized rides, I notice riders' attitudes lean towards "that guy's unsafe." They've probably just avoided a crash with Mr. Full-Volume-Oblivious, so even one-earbud is likely to set 'em off. The rules say that both-ears-blocked is prohibited.
This isn't the middle of nowhere - I'd be surprised to find myself alone ANYWHERE on this course, even when it gets all strung out near the end. I'm not a hater, but I would stress that it's a good time to be fully aware and in-the-present. Who knows, you might even converse with other interesting riders! Last year I rode a stretch with an astronomer, and learned all about why Pluto isn't really a planet
Yes, I do believe it would be frowned upon, especially in the elbow-to-elbow first 20 miles. In most of the big organized rides, I notice riders' attitudes lean towards "that guy's unsafe." They've probably just avoided a crash with Mr. Full-Volume-Oblivious, so even one-earbud is likely to set 'em off. The rules say that both-ears-blocked is prohibited.
This isn't the middle of nowhere - I'd be surprised to find myself alone ANYWHERE on this course, even when it gets all strung out near the end. I'm not a hater, but I would stress that it's a good time to be fully aware and in-the-present. Who knows, you might even converse with other interesting riders! Last year I rode a stretch with an astronomer, and learned all about why Pluto isn't really a planet
no, I understand completely and thats pretty much what I figured.
I rode in Tour de Phoenix and noticed lots of guys wearing ear pieces so i was not sure. Id rather do the right thing and certainly dont mind the sound of my spinning or simply chatting with riders, it was fun for me last time.. Im kind of stuck between taking it real seriously and trying for platinum and/or just enjoying another beautiful day and meeting people..
take care
Anyone ever driven down the night before, slept in their cars, then biked from wherever you're parked?
Sleeping in car would be do-able, but do bring a blanket as the desert night air can be a mite nippy!
Aerobars are also prohited. Would not advise to even wear one earbud . . . you'll be too busy trying to stay out of someone's way. El Tour de Phoenix is nowhere near as hectic/crowded as the one in Tucson!
Have talked/ridden with some nice folks on El Tour: Lon and Sue Haldeman, Pete Penseyeres, Elayne Mariolle, Deb Haas, Marv Christy (all RAAM riders), LeMond, Tatsuo Okada (this year's El Tour honoree) from Japan, and others.
So chat it up with your fellow riders and have a great time . . . I will!
Sleeping in car would be do-able, but do bring a blanket as the desert night air can be a mite nippy!
Aerobars are also prohited. Would not advise to even wear one earbud . . . you'll be too busy trying to stay out of someone's way. El Tour de Phoenix is nowhere near as hectic/crowded as the one in Tucson!
Have talked/ridden with some nice folks on El Tour: Lon and Sue Haldeman, Pete Penseyeres, Elayne Mariolle, Deb Haas, Marv Christy (all RAAM riders), LeMond, Tatsuo Okada (this year's El Tour honoree) from Japan, and others.
So chat it up with your fellow riders and have a great time . . . I will!
yea, I think thats probably the best way to approach it..
thanks
What's the best outfit to ride this with? Will a long sleeve and shorts be fine, so long as I can unzip the shirt? Do people usually dump a shirt somewhere at a rest stop eventually because of the heat? Advice?
What's the best outfit to ride this with? Will a long sleeve and shorts be fine, so long as I can unzip the shirt? Do people usually dump a shirt somewhere at a rest stop eventually because of the heat? Advice?
im riding at 5;30 tomorrow, ill let you know..
as of now im just wearing one of my sleeveless jerseys with arm sleeves that I can take off and stick in my jersey.. expect it to be in the low 50's around 7:00 and the 70's by 10:30-11:00..
Arm warmers/vest, or as stated before, fold up some newspaper and stick it between your chest and jersey, effective/cheap/disposable at rest stop.
My wife Kay resorted to arm warmers a couple morning rides here in Tucson this week for about the first hour, while I opted not to. Depends on your cold/heat tolerance.
If you don't own arm warmers, get a pair of old tube/knee sox and cut off the toe part; slip that over your arms . . . works like the real thing!
But as chilly as you could be early morning, once the sun beats on you for an hour or in so, you'll be just fine in short sleeve jersey/shorts. Even just pedaling, you'll put out some body heat within the first half hour. There is normally a 30+ degree difference between first morning and afternoon temps here in the desert.
Quit worrying and enjoy the ride!
I'm coming from the Midwest to ride in the Tour for the first time. I will be riding my road bike, but I question changing out my pedals and shoes from my mountain bike. Do others do this, or is the wash portion such a small part of the ride people just hobble along with there road shoes?
Thanks
Each river crossing is only a few minutes. Get cleat covers (depending on your model of cleats) and don't worry too much.
Start working on your curls & bench-presses, you'll be be better off carrying your bike! Platinum riders whip through at speed, followed by chase motorcycles and whatnot, and it's pretty churned up by the time gold gets through. I'd hate to have some guy behind you shuffling his lazy feet & kicking dirt all over your pretty drivetrain
Wash crossing are not much of an issue, unless it rains or is flooded (been there, done that). Grab the bike, throw it over shoulder and play cyclocross for a short distance. Then make sure cleasts are clean and hop back on bike and pedal!
Enjoy the El Tour!
Wash crossing are not much of an issue, unless it rains or is flooded (been there, done that). Grab the bike, throw it over shoulder and play cyclocross for a short distance. Then make sure cleasts are clean and hop back on bike and pedal!
Enjoy the El Tour!
I was wondering about that.. thanks. I think ill do the Gaba 90 this sunday from the east side.. I rode to catalina yesterday, it was really beautiful outside. Good info guys
Whats the typical distance for a wash? If its that big of a deal I imagine it wouldn't be terrible to take the shoes off completely and go at it in your socks. If you're going for speed it's probably less awkward that way too.
Eh, first one's a few hundred yards, 2nd one not much longer. And you can pretty much roll your bike on the 2nd one, not so crowded, not so powdery. Maybe you don't need to work on bench presses after all? :)
But really, those with speedplays or looks or some other delicate cleats might want to bring cleat covers. That about sums it up
Sabino Creek crossing is a bit rocky. Usually let the wife go across solo, while I hoist tandem over shoulder.
Not really productive to take off shoes/socks unless there is water running. One of the first few years that's exactly what happened. Took of shoes/socks, tucked 'em in jersey pocket, waded across with bike over shoulder. Then used cycling cap and bandana to dry off feet before putting on socks. Don't recommend sandy feet and then putting on socks/shoes; it'll soon feel like sandpaper!
Been having prolonged dryspell and temps this week hit 90 degrees. Maybe it'll cool a bit for you folks coming from cooler climates.
So bring/use sunscreen!
What is an event like this usually like in terms of people taking photos? I'm pretty interested in getting a pro shot of myself on the bike since this is my first big ride. It'd just be a cool keepsake. Do I need to signup to have someone track me before? Do they take a shot of all 11,000 riders?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
What is an event like this usually like in terms of people taking photos? I'm pretty interested in getting a pro shot of myself on the bike since this is my first big ride. It'd just be a cool keepsake. Do I need to signup to have someone track me before? Do they take a shot of all 11,000 riders?
Thanks in advance,
Matt
your going to have to ask a vet.. I know in the tour de phoenix they tried and if you had your number visable they supposedly had a good chance at getting you. I was presented with two different pictures but they didnt look that good so I declined buying them.. should be a sea of colors and a lot of fun.
btw, I rode 84 solo sunday, pretty much riding the north side of tour starting in the east side. I was a little chilly at 7:00 in my short sleeve base layer and sleeveless jersey. I put on some arm warmers and it was pretty borderline for my tolerance level. By 11:00 I was totally warm and just in my sleeveless jersey.. Coming down tangerine was great, sure glad we dont have to go the other way. The worst part was silverbell I think, I was semi bonked and it seemed like every 12' there was a sharp little bump.. it was irritating me.. good luck!
For years they've had a pro photographer taking shots from by the roadside in a couple different places.
Your ride number should be visible and they will send you a couple thumbnail photos and for $$$ you then can order more, all the way up to 11x14". No, you don't need to stop to get photo taken, these are taken on the fly, so don't worry . . . just either grimace or smile! You'll be so busy riding you'll likely not see the dude with the camera!
Better yet, at the finish line have someone you know snap a couple shots of you with your camera near the finish line banner (after you're done riding).
Tucson's long range weather forecast for El Tour day: Low 51, high 78 . . . however, this is a chamber of commerce type prediction . . . may be a few degrees warmer/cooler.
Bring/use sunscreen and a good attitude . . . you'll do a ride to remember!
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