</intolerance>

I competed in the El Tour de Tucson yesterday. It was my first cycling event and it was a blast. I rode the shortest version which was 35 miles and featured a nice elevation drop for the first 15 miles. This race was my goal when i started riding in August.

Here is a view from the starting line:


1,517 people competed in the 35-mile distance. I ended up starting about 50 yards from the front. Within 5 minutes it had opened up enough to ride any way I wanted. Earlier this week I started a thread asking for suggestions for riding in a group and mass start type event. Everyone said it really wasn't a big deal, but to just protect the front wheel. They were right of course, it really wasn't bad at all.

I did see one accident on the route. It happened right before the pack I was riding in came though the area and the bike patrol riders had us ride single file through the area. One lady was bleeding pretty good, but there was a guy who appeared to have a head injury and as we were riding away he saw an ambulance coming to pick him up.

I only stopped at two SAG stops and each time it was just to refill my water bottles and make a phone call to my wife telling her when I thought I would be done.

Here is a shot of me heading for the finish line. It doesn't look like it but I was moving pretty good.


I ended up finishing 299th out of 1,500 riders with an official time of 2:17:26. My in saddle time was 2:09. It also happened to be my fastest pace yet.

The ride also showed me that I need to get proper cycling shoes. I rode is a pair of sketchers and toward the end of the ride my foot was really feeling bad. I am sure I'll be seeing cycling shoes and clipless pedals under the Xmas tree this year.

I am hoping to ride the full 109-miles next year.

In a really unfortunate note about the race and elderly man turned left in front of a pack of 60 riders and sent several to the hospital, one is in critical condition. Apparently the driver got out of his car, looked at the damage to his car and then drove away. You can read more about that here.

Overall I am really glad I did it and am already looking into my next ride!

flip18436572

GREAT JOB and thanks for the pictures!!!

wandalynn

You did great with your time and love the pics!

My husband and I rode the 35 as well. We got to the HS a little over an hour early but moved back in the pack at starting time. I didn't know what to expect and didn't want to be in anyone's way. I'd never seen so many cyclists in my life - at the start, on the road, and at the finish! The sheer mass of riders was almost overwhelming. After we passed the first accident my husband and I split so I could focus on riding and position and not worry about where he was, and the same for him. He finished in the 500's, and I was in the 900's. I'd like to improve enough to do the 67 mile event in the future.

Enjoy your 109 mile ride next year!

Neil_B

Congratulations on the great result!

I agree with you about getting different footwear for a ride/race like that. Even switching to shoes with a stiff sole but retaining the platform pedals will help.

mkadam68

Good job. Hope to see you next year in the 109.

I had a couple friends who did the 35-miler on a tandem. They hadn't ridden in awhile and their butts were very sore afterward.

socalboomer

And if you don't want to get up at butt-crack-pre-dawn, you can join us on the 80 mile! Just couldn't bring myself to get up to be there at 5:00. . .sigh. 7:00 for the 9:00 80m start was early enough (esp since it was really 6:00 my time. . .)

Nice job! That was a good pace! We need to get as many of us clydes out there to show those skinny people how to do it!

Missbumble 

Awesoem job to both of you! Love the pics. How wonderful to have a giant group like that. I know when I have ridden with a ton of riders it feels awesome to see so many cyclists...an to be one of em! Bravo!! Great time too!!

Pamestique 

CONGRATS! The Tour was my first century years ago. I also had a blast. They put on a nice event and I loved all the people who line up (sitting in lawn chairs) to cheer the riders on. Its has great sags and I kept meeting interesting people... and the 2 "river" crossings... most interesting! Have fun next year!

Pamestique 

I know they are expensive, but invest in a paid of Sidi's - most comfortable shoe ever!!!! They also have wide width is needed.

</intolerance>

Thanks for all the kind words!


I was just looking at a pair of Sidi shoes. I found them on Amazon, but I am going to try to find them at a local shop to try them on.

I also found these Shimanos I tried on a SH-R086 and these are 085.

Any thoughts?

socalboomer

I went to a LHB and tried on shoe after shoe until I found one that felt right. Do that!

Turns out it was one of the least expensive ones there. . .but it actually FIT my FOOT! So much better than the ones that were the "right size" (and that fit, locally) but didn't fit when I bought them from the Internet.

My foots are wider than normal, but still. . .

cohophysh

Thanks for the story and the pix. I love it when I see someone roughly my size and shape on a bike!