It's that time of year again kids. The 26th Annual El Tour de Tucson is getting close. Tonight is the last night to register and have free processing fee's.

I'm registered as number 1537 and I'm doing the 109 mile UMC tour.

Lessons learned from my first time last year?
1. Eat dinner the night before.
2. Eat breakfast the morning of.
3. Bring a frame pump. I flatted 3 times and ran out of CO2
4. Don't try to lead a group for 10 miles only 30 miles in to the circuit. Stay at the front for 10 seconds and drop.
5. Don't be afraid to meet people, but focus when you're doing 30+ mph.
6. Make sure your seatpost is good. I saw one guy who didn't make it 10 feet because his post cracked before he even got on.
7. Have fun.

Here's the link to register: http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/OnReg/ETTOnlineRegWelcome.html

Online registration ends Nov 16th and you may register at one of Perimeter Bicycling's offices or the expo until Nov 20th.

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/17/99/729980044/n729980044_1760060_5297.jpg
(Waiting for the sun to rise at the start line)

Looks like you learned a few lessons in '07!
This'll be my 25th El Tour (missed one in the '90s 'cause boss would not let me off work).
Will be riding Bike patrol.

Yea I learned a few things. Maybe I should be afraid of what I have to learn this year. *gulp*

Don't over-reach; go with the flow and enjoy the experience.

Are there any training rides scheduled for the late summer/fall?
I'd love to do the tour but I spread my 109 miles out over 5 days of commuting... ;-)

It's that time of year again kids. The 26th Annual El Tour de Tucson is getting close. Tonight is the last night to register and have free processing fee's.

I'm registered as number 1537 and I'm doing the 109 mile UMC tour.

Lessons learned from my first time last year?
1. Eat dinner the night before.
2. Eat breakfast the morning of.
3. Bring a frame pump. I flatted 3 times and ran out of CO2
4. Don't try to lead a group for 10 miles only 30 miles in to the circuit. Stay at the front for 10 seconds and drop.
5. Don't be afraid to meet people, but focus when you're doing 30+ mph.
6. Make sure your seatpost is good. I saw one guy who didn't make it 10 feet because his post cracked before he even got on.
7. Have fun.

Here's the link to register: http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/OnReg/ETTOnlineRegWelcome.html

Online registration ends Nov 16th and you may register at one of Perimeter Bicycling's offices or the expo until Nov 20th.

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v151/17/99/729980044/n729980044_1760060_5297.jpg
(Waiting for the sun to rise at the start line)

Thanks for the registration deadline; I love to procrastinate, but looks like I'll be doing the 109 with a friend. Why so many flats? I'm from out East and did the Montauk Century with no flats on Conti Grand Prix 4000's. And I don't exactly take it easy on the tube mounting (been known to pop a valve or two).

I really don't own a frame pump and have so many inflators. I generally bring 6 CO2's and three tubes on a Century, so I'm gonna roll the dice :D

Hope to see you there!

The flats are 'cuz the city of Tucson, apparently, has forgotten that the southern half of the city has bike lines/trails. I ride this part of town daily, there's hardly a stretch half a mile long without glass or other debris to try to avoid. From what I've seen in the northern half of the city, the bike lines aren't nearly so dirty. Hopefully the city will get the street sweeper vehicle out and clean up the roads before el tour.

I think a lot of it was bad luck too. No one else seemed to flat as much as I did as far as I heard.

In the 24 El Tour's that I've done, never had a flat. But fixed quite a few of themfor folks when doing Bike Patrol.
Asides from roadside debris and thorns what's there to worry about? Don't hug the side of the road, that's where a lot of the nasty stuff is.
One year, on a stretch from Sun City Vistoso to Oracle and up to Magee Rd. someone had dumped handfulls of tacks on the road. Lotsa flats for folks on that stretch of road.

I just read that there's a reroute due to construction on Oracle. What's the good word? Is the new route an improvement?

There's been construction along Oracle Road all year and more to come.
*Likely* detour could be left turn from Oracle onto First Ave toward Sun City Vistoso/Tangerine Rd..

I think this year might be running in the opposite direction then other years as well.

the route is not reversed.

There is a published re-route, and I wonder if anyone knows it?
pbaa.com, boys and girls

Rode the part of the route that's been changed. You'll head north on Oracle, do a left on 1st Ave (slightly uphill), then a right on Tangerine Rd. (nice near-30mph downhill) then left on Innovation Parkway (about 1 mile of uphill; you'll be shifting on that one unless you got a tailwind), thence left thru Sun City Vistoso, etc.
You can give your legs a little workout with the ups and the butt a break with the big downhill!

Will someone please advise on how to handle the start (on the 109 mile route)? Is there sufficent parking or does one have to arrive very early? If you do arrive early, is there any organization to how they start that many people all at once? I will probably be able to average 21-22 in a pack.

I imagine it will be pretty cool prior to the start. Assuming no storms or cold spells, will leg warmers and arm warmers be enough--or too much?

With almost 10 thousand riders, parking is pretty tight. Best bet is to have a motel near the start and pedal in early or have someone drop you off..
Yes there is a system. The lineup is where you choose/think you'll finish: platinum, gold, silver of bronze medal. Platinum: you must be pre-qualified and is for elite racers and previous winners. At your pack speed of 20/21 mph you could pick either silver or gold
It gets a bit cool in the early mornings in the desert. But being from Grand Jct you may be used to that.
Arm/leg warmers and maybe a vest would be fine. Or, no vest and stuff a couple layers of newspaper between body and jersey (done that). Coldest start was I think around 1983 when it was actually frosty, but that's rare.
First 20 miles be very attentive as it is usually fast (everybody wants to be first . . . ) and shoulder to shoulder riding. Watch the corners.
Route is extremely well policed/organized with an officer at just about every traffic light to (usually) wave you through.
There is Bike Patrol (cyclists with yellow T-shirts/jerseys with big black cross on the back) to help you in case you need it + lots food/potty stops.
Suggest 2 water bottles (low humidity) and bring some of your own favorite fmunchies.
Enjoy the ride!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Thanks, Rudy

How about mechanical support? If you don't carry tons of tubes and cartridges, will there be a place to buy them if needed? And if a tire needs replaced etc. etc.?

You are supposed to bring pump/inflator, tube, patchkit, water bottle(s).
However Bike Patrol can, and will, assist you if needed; there is limited support by roving bike shops. Or at any foodstop, they can call and get help.
Have personally only had 1 flat in the 24 El Tours I've done. But as Bike Patrol have assisted many folks with flats and minor mechanical issues as well as rudamentary first aid, etc.
Odds are you'll be just fine!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Today (Friday) several informational flashing sign were set up on some of the El Tour route with message:

Beware, Bicycles!
El Tour de Tucson
Nov. 22

I am planning in staying with relatives in Tucson. Will it work to leave a car near the start on Friday night and then have someone drop me off on Sat. morning near the start? Or will my car get towed?

Found this on the perimeter website... any locals want to comment how this might effect the start? I did this ride last year and had a blast and liked how the ride was staggered by speed and the wide lanes to start off... These roads sound pretty narrow for a mass of 4k+ of 109 riders to start.

http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1031

"Due to ongoing freeway construction, the 109-mile start direction of travel and configuration of Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze line up areas has been rearranged for 2008.

Cyclists will now begin line up, facing south, at the corner of Granada & Clark (at Cushing Ave). They will make an immediate right turn, westbound, onto Clark St, with travel in the south lane ONLY of Clark St, then riding under the I-10 overpass, then turning left, southbound, onto the eastbound Frontage Rd.

--Platinum and Gold cyclists, respectively, will line up on the WEST side of Granada.
--Silver and Bronze, respectively, will line up on the EAST side of Granada Ave.

There will be NO throughway sidewalk access for cyclists on the west side of Granada. This area will be fenced off due to the new configuration. Plan to access your starting area from Cushing St, using the sidewalk on the east side of Granada Ave. Placement of the finish line on Granada will not change from prior years."

Just shipped our bikes yesterday to Tucson, visiting a relative and can't wait!! Hope the weather is nice.

Western CO
Great you can stay with family. You could park your car the night before at/near the start at the TCC (Tucon Convention Center) where the packet pickup usually is. There is a parking charge but if I recall its under 5 bucks. I've actually done that. Just have relative drop you off near the start.

Pedaljeeps
Should not be an issue; extremely well policed/organized.

Have a great El Tour!
Rudy/zonatandem

Her is my plan, subject to change:

I intend to meet my brother and wife at a little after 10:30 where the 67 milers merge with the rest of the riders. Since this gives me at least 3 1/2 hours to go 42 miles, I don't see any reason to arrive too early at the start area. I will probably get there at 6:30, go to the back of the Silver Group line and wait until they tell me to go.

Rudy, what could go wrong with that plan?

What happens if I just join the fun somewhere in the middle, like where there's parking, like without signing up?

Western CO: Anything can go wrong with any plan; be flexible! El Tour *suggests* lining up a 4:30 a.m. for a good spot; however 6:30 should be just fine; at least you won't be cold too long. Long range forecast is 45 degrees going up to 75 (some of that is chamber of commerce optimism?)

Werewolf: Riding as a renegade without an El Tour race number is not recommended. While these are public roads you will be on your own without any support if you need it.
Seeing that you live here, why not just ride route in reverse?

I just registered this morning for the 109 mile route. I'm flying in from Chicago Thursday, and this will be my second Tour de Tucson.

With being from out of town and not knowing any local riders, I pretty much rode solo last year. However I am eager to ride this year with a group, if I am able to find a group with the right pace. Last year I finished at 6 hr saddle time, with an average speed just under 18 mph. With this being my second year cycling I am a stronger rider now, and have been averaging 5 hour centuries with local groups.

If those numbers are in line with any other riders pace, and there is room for another rider in the group let me know.

I just registered this morning for the 109 mile route. I'm flying in from Chicago Thursday, and this will be my second Tour de Tucson.

With being from out of town and not knowing any local riders, I pretty much rode solo last year. However I am eager to ride this year with a group, if I am able to find a group with the right pace. Last year I finished at 6 hr saddle time, with an average speed just under 18 mph. With this being my second year cycling I am a stronger rider now, and have been averaging 5 hour centuries with local groups.

If those numbers are in line with any other riders pace, and there is room for another rider in the group let me know.


Good luck on your 2nd Tour de Tucson! My 2nd one too. I'm flying in Thursday from Dallas!

You should do great this weekend..... with having other 5 hour centuries this year!! Get there early to line up in the Gold section for faster groups and you might make that 5 hour 'platinum' time... Should have no problem finding a group to ride with at this rally.

My buddy and I are hitting the road @ 5AM Thursday for the drive to Tucson. I'm #596. This will be my first El Tour and my friend's 4th. I'm going to help him finally break 6 hours. If all goes well, I'll aim to break 5 hours next year. We've been training since last December for this.

Hopefully my Ultra Gatorskins + Tuffies will be enough to avoid a flat. We'll probably be lining up around 4 AM.

I'm flying out from Charlotte tomorrow for my first TdT as well. I'd love to ride behind some faster wheels but I can't see me getting in line at 4:30. I hope to play a little golf as well.


Just saw this on the web site. Guess I should have practiced my dismount and sprint???? Zona-Is this true??


Lower Santa Cruz River Crossing At approximately 8 miles into the 109-mile event, cyclists must dismount their bicycles and cross the Santa Cruz River bed on foot. Approximately 1 mile before the river crossing, all cyclists should begin to slow down to avoid crashes before dismounting. Caution signs and guides are placed along Drexel, which is the road leading to the river crossing. The signs will notify cyclists of the upcoming dismount.

Pay Attention to these signs and slow down before dismounting.

Often this crossing area is dry with sandy conditions. You will be updated with current conditions at El Tour Safety & Orientation meetings, held at Bike EXPO.

Yes, there are a couple river crossings.
The first one ('usually' dry): just hoist bike over shoulder (like a bit of cyclocross) and get across. A few diehard mt. bikers have attempted to ride across, but few have managed it.
Second crossing: Sabino Creek (lotsa rocks), same method.
Yes, for a couple El Tours the river was running past ankle deep. Solution: remove shoes/sox, put 'em in jersey pocket. Hoist bike and get across. Then wipe feet dry with cycling cap/bandana, put on sox/shoes and pedal. Sand stuck on feet will cause blisters!
For the first couple years we even had a stretch (1/2 mile) of very sandy dirt road. Saw one guy doing an endo over the bars.
Fortunately weather forecast shows no rain, so river crossing should be OK.
As for doing El Tour under 5 hours, haver never managed that although have ridden several sub-5 hour centuries in my younger days. The first ET placed either 26th or 27th, but there were only about 190 riders then and less well organized and I was one of the oldest riders. This will be my 25th El Tour and maybe my last. Heck at my age (76 next month) am just glad to be still out there havin' fun!
When doing the river crossings, just picture an older couple doing it on a tandem . . . yup, we've done it 15 times on our tandem.
Enjoy the ride!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem


.

This will be my 25th El Tour and maybe my last. Heck at my age (76 next month) am just glad to be still out there havin' fun!
When doing the river crossings, just picture an older couple doing it on a tandem . . . yup, we've done it 15 times on our tandem.
Enjoy the ride!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem


.

Wow!!!!!!! So which one did you miss??

That is great that you and your wife are riding.. Good for you and your wife... I hope I am riding when I'm 76!! :thumb:



Cheers and have a good ride on Saturday!!

PS... love all the cycling stuff in the background of the pic!

I'm driving there from san diego, ca. I'll be in my UC Irvine racing jersey and I'll be aiming to break the 5 hour mark.

I am thinking about leaving a car near the convention center and riding my bike back to where I am staying--northeast of where the 66 mile route starts (northeast of where Tanqueverde ends and turns into something else). Will someone please advise on the safest route to travel? Speedway looks like the most direct route, but is there a safe place for bicycles?

Think we missed the one in 1994 . . .
Spouse has decided not to do ET anymore; she says "have nothing left to prove when it comes to cycling . . . been there, done that."
We still manage to get in around 100 miles a week on our tandem just to stay in shape.
She has ridden 220,000+ miles with me on tandems since 1975 and we are now on tandem #5.
'Growin' old is not for sissies' is our motto.
Good luck to all on El Tour!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Was watching the weather report for tomorrow as I sit here in the hotel room prior to cooking dinner. Looks like we'll have winds 10 - 15 mph out of the SE for tomorrow. Not ideal but certainly better than the winds today. The lunar landscape lead-in to the finish should be all that's full headwind. Good luck everyone. I had fun last year and it's brought me back for my 2nd TdT.

Winds *supposed* to diminish by noontime for El Tour.
Recall only one year of El Tour with a tailwind on the last leg on Silverbell Road.
Hey, when you are riding in sort of a circle eventually you'll get a favorable breeze . . .
Yes, a bit breezy today when I rode . . . but what about no rain, no snow, sunshine, low 70s and flowers till bloomin'?
Have a safe/good ride tomorrow!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

Hope you guys had fun. I know I did!

I'm driving there from san diego, ca. I'll be in my UC Irvine racing jersey and I'll be aiming to break the 5 hour mark.

I think I saw you. Are you a really tall guy? Did you get your sub 5?

Another El Tour under the tires . . .
As Bike Patrol, ended up assisting with one broken chain (shortened it) and one mt. bike flat.
Could not help a woman who was pedaling one-legged (really) as she had 'lost' a pedal . . . how in the heck do you 'loose a pedal??!' . . . luckily she was only 3 miles from the finish.
A few folks with cramps that declined ibuprofen.
Several riders turned down assistance as they had the correct tools/knowledge to fix their problem.
One guy had a slow leak in front tire and said 'I'll stop at a bike show to have 'em fix it'. He had no spare tube, no tools but did have inflators. Talk about someone being ill prepared . . . but he was travelin' light!
Hope you all had a great El Tour!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

My ride report:

Total time: 5:16:05. 20.6 mph avg. Damn! Missed the sub 5 platinum status.

Last year I didnt eat before the ride and bonked. I made sure to eat well this time. I went out for mexican dinner the night before and had a healthy bowl of oatmeal in the morning. I knew that wasn't going to hold me off for 109 miles, so I had several carb gelpacks in my jersey. I loaded up with 4 bottles of gatorade as well. They helped some.

My strategy was to be smart, and just let others do the work for the first many miles. I arrived at 4:30 and was one of the first 500 I'd say. My plan to let others do the work would have worked if not for the headwinds. They seeemed to do a good number on those pulling the line. I was in some pacelines where we were only doing 18 mph. I probably still saved some energy.

The roads seemed extra bumpy this year. I had to breakoff from the group I was with at the top of one of the first climbs as my seat adjustment screws came loose and the seat was able to rock back and forth at will. If this had happened at mile 90 instead of 20 I probably would have let it slide. I also eventually lost the top to my frame pump as it unscrewed itself. Fortunately, the good long pacelines are consistent on the tour and as soon as I was done fixing my seat another one was just cresting the hill.

The first couple pacelines were fast and disorganized in terms of rider ability. I think a lot of it was people being excited to start. After the first river bed crossing early on then things settled down and the pace lines were more focused to their respective skill levels.

I enjoyed this year a lot though. There were a few squirrels, but I worked with a lot of real good riders. What was real cool was while I would get split up from some people, somehow I ended up seeing them over and over again. My favorite was some guy wearing a 'flat tire' kit. On one of the more predominant hills it was just him and I as the pacelines were split up. I believe this was after the 2nd crossing where you end up going through a neighborhood, then spits you out. You make a left and another mile or two up the road is the hill. Anyways, he and I worked together to get things moving. It was just nice to meet riders that know how to work together without having to say a word. Of course he did say, 'nice pull' and I replied with a 'yup', but that's about all was needed and it was back to work.


BTW, anyone have the number of the woman dressed as the angel at the bottom of that hill when you make the right?

That was most of my experience in terms of rider quality. I got in some real nice pacelines where people meshed very well together. My only problem was hydration and eating. I carried 4 bottles and had planned on using one for every 25-30 miles. Of course I run out of water 10 miles before the end and I suffered. Since I was rationing, I was getting some pretty good cramps early on anyways. Oh well. My body was very happy to end the tour.

I can't wait to see the pictures for two reasons. The first is I was in some good spots for the camera guys I think. In one instance I was sprinting to try and bridge a quick 50 yard gap between two groups. So I was in full sprint and alone. I bet me crossing the finish line will be good too because I must have looked so relieved. The second reason is I want to compare my last years photos to this year. I probably look like a pro this year compared to my bonked state last year.

I heard a truck hit like 10 people and he ran off.

I heard a truck hit like 10 people and he ran off.

Sadly it looks to be true. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/268486.php

I find it hard to believe that none of the 60 riders caught the license plate of the vehicle; especially since the guy stopped and got out.

I know some people who saw it. One of them happened to be a some kind of doctor person. That is pretty sad though. Wonder why noone tried to stop him either if he got outta his car.

Another bad accident at Tangerine near I-10.
Cops made everyone dismount and walk through the mess of EMTs. Had quick glance at woman strapped to a board with big puddle of blood on ground by her head. Looked like coming from the ears and in my (non-professional) quick estimation was a severe concussion.
She was lucid enough to answer questions by EMT. Sobered up a few of the more hot dog type riders.
With a roving/speeding bunch of cyclists, crashes are not unusual. The first 25 miles are the most dangerous (yeah, I wanna be in the break-away and be FIRST!) and the last 25 miles folks are getting tired/sore and loose concentration.
All in all it is an extremely well organized/supported cycling event. Well received by the public and 99.9% of the motorists who give up 'their road' to us pedalers for one day per year..
After 25 years of doing ET, I still had a great time. I doff my cycling cap to my longtime friend Richard DeBernardis and all of his helpers/sponsors. Great job, again!!!
Hope everyone achieved their goal; if not, there's always next year!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

I think I saw you. Are you a really tall guy? Did you get your sub 5?

Yup. That was me. I also finished at 5:16 so I think I was in your peloton. I was riding the race with two of my buddies from san diego (not in UCI verseys). Unfortunately, one crashed early on (he was ok) and we lost some time there, plus we lost a fast peloton and I had to basically solo it with my buddy for about 30-40 miles. I also blame my performance on having a fever and fluid in my lungs. haha. (not too smart...) It was my first TdT so I am very happy nontheless. I had a lot of fun barreling into that final sprint!

Were you part of that team with the purple jerseys? They were really strong.

Yup. That was me. I also finished at 5:16 so I think I was in your peloton. I was riding the race with two of my buddies from san diego (not in UCI verseys). Unfortunately, one crashed early on (he was ok) and we lost some time there, plus we lost a fast peloton and I had to basically solo it with my buddy for about 30-40 miles. I also blame my performance on having a fever and fluid in my lungs. haha. (not too smart...) It was my first TdT so I am very happy nontheless. I had a lot of fun barreling into that final sprint!

Were you part of that team with the purple jerseys? They were really strong.

No I was not. I had black shorts and a red/white jersey that said 'Polish Post' with a sort of bird on it.

That purple team was pretty strong. They were helping to carry the girl on their team and slowed in one section. So I sprinted to bridge a gap between two groups. Eventually they caught up and meshed into that one big group. I finished literally right behind them. I was spent though. I was at the front of the group with about 2 miles left and it was myself, and the girl in the red top that was yelling encouragements, that were pulling. I was dehydrated and the group easily passed me by the end as I couldn't pull anymore.

Ha, I remember seeing you and thinking, that is one massive frame. Then I took a couple seconds to consider what UCI stood for, rather than focusing on my line.

Update: Car, 'person of interest' found in El Tour bike collision

By Leasa Conze - email

An attorney has identified a "person of interest" relating to the El Tour bicycle collision, deputies say.

Investigators confirm they also have the car that may have been used in the hit and run in Saturday's El Tour de Tucson.

The driver turned in front of bicyclists as they were riding downhill on Ina Road near Westward Look Saturday.

Ten bicyclists collided with the car. Five had to be taken to the hospital.

One, Garu Stuebe, from Surprise, Arizona, was critically injured.

He is now in a Phoenix hospital, in a medically-induced coma, after undergoing surgery yesterday to remove part of his skull and some brain tissue.

Witnesses say at the time of the accident, the elderly driver got out of his car, surveyed the accident, then got back into his car and drove off.

Sheriff's deputies had been searching for the driver and his vehicle ever since.



http://www.kold.com/global/story.asp?s=9413563

My ride report:

Total time: 5:16:05. 20.6 mph avg. Damn! Missed the sub 5 platinum status.
.

I probaby road with you and some others here at some point....I finished in 5:14:28......15 minutes slower than last year... For me this ride was much harder than last year, I think I just went out to fast and with the wind in the beginning my HR was sky high.

My report:
Started towards the back of Platimum and it was fast... I was trying to go my own pace and not go anaerobic, but that put me in the wind, I felt I was going backwards before the first crossing... but I did actually ride across the first crossing, that was really cool!!!

After the first crossing I get dropped in a cross wind on Nogales.... With another group and several hard pulls and efforts I made it to a giant pack on the frontage road before Kolb and flew down Kolb, that was fun, but just as soon as we hit the first hills I had nothing left... I was the tail end off the back of that big stung out pack....a tandem went by and I was able to get on with a few other singles, I flew for a bit until a guy in front turns off on the side of the road(he had friends on the road), I was on the inside and had to pull off as well....the tandem goes down the road... I was toast and alone again!!! I staggered to the 2nd wash where I stopped to refill, but my legs are done.

I crawled up the big hill after the 2nd wash(legs are already cramping) and many, many riders go by until I can only stay with a slower tandem that goes slow up and fast down!! I really was hurting and even wondering if I could finish... I just try and ride slow and refuel. A really fast big pack catches us..... and all is well.... flying down Tangerine, I end up tailed off this group (go figure) before silverbell but finished with a small group and was really happy just to finish!!!

I never even saw a crash this year and didn't even know about the car incident until Sunday, that is very sad... I hope the guy recovers.

All in all I'm pretty happy with my result even though I was trying to better my time from last year, I just wasn't strong enough this time.... on the up side of that I found myself alone several times which does make for getting in more pictures!! (of course I'm not sure I really want to see those pics!)

You must have been part of the small group that broke away with about 2 miles left from the large group I was in.

FYI - Pictures are starting to get posted. They have some disappointing shots of me on the small climb around mile 70/80. They don't have my finish line pics up yet. Go to http://orders.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/SearchBibNumber.aspx?EventID=713500&_AccountNumber=72027&EventName=tucson&EventDate= and search for your bib number.

You must have been part of the small group that broke away with about 2 miles left from the large group I was in.

FYI - Pictures are starting to get posted. They have some disappointing shots of me on the small climb around mile 70/80. They don't have my finish line pics up yet. Go to http://orders.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/SearchBibNumber.aspx?EventID=713500&_AccountNumber=72027&EventName=tucson&EventDate= and search for your bib number.

No I wasn't breaking away from any group at that point!! I was in a smaller group, but we were caught by more riders a few miles from the finish, one guy riding a mt. bike!!