El Tour de Tucson - 111 Mile Route - CycleTour

We flew out of downtown (once we finally got out of the starting area) at a pace that I heard more then one person say "I cannot keep this up for the whole race". I was included in that but it was a comfortable pace at the time and I knew it would settle down so I went with it. I jumped on some wheels when I could but I had a pretty hard time finding someone riding the pace I wanted to ride that I knew I could hold. They'd start that way then slow down. Or speed up. Lots and lots of accidents. I saw a lot of folks being loaded into ambulances, and other generally bloody folks waiting. I think more then one collar bone was lost during the race. What is funny is none were in areas where there were packs. There were a few riders around that were not so great but all in all it was ok. A few times I biked away from a pack feeling not so safe but for the most part folks were paying attention and letting you move when you needed to.

My pace was pretty on target for the first 40 miles. I was hoping to average 17mph for the whole race. But then the gradual climbs started and the legs were starting to feel the effects of the miles on so little training. I was still going but could for sure feel the miles. I think with more miles on the bike the average is obtainable.

I did end up with one extra stop I was not planning on making cause I waited so long in the start after two coffees. blah. If I had more food on me I might have been able to go longer before the next stop and only had to make two. Something to remember for the next one. Actually, depending on the day and how hot it is I might get away with 1 stop. Water would be the factor. One of my stops was a little long cause I stopped to eat a slushy. Hey, it was free. Who turns that down?

I was amazed at the support on the course. Lots of folks were out watching the race. All throughout the ride. It was great, I did not expect that. For sure some spectators were giving the females special cheering. Like they were amazed females were out there. Funny but appreciated. More rest stops then you could ever hope to have as well.

I did not eat well at the beginning stages of the race. I let myself get to hunger a few times. I couldn't easily get at my food with the packs so close without risk. Next time I will treat it more like a tri and make the food easy to get at.

I of course would train to ride 111 miles a well. I was a away for a few weekends which really cut into my long ride training.

Sat on the ground. lol I then got cold so went and changed as we waited for the rest of my friends to show up. Then just stood around until it was time to go get food and beer


Training. Isn't it always training? Better fueling would have helped as well.


Good event. Lots of police support. If you balk at the price understand what that is paying for. They were awesome out on the course and kept us safe. Be able to bike in crowds cause there were lots of them. If I ever ended up alone on the course it was never for long. More aid stations then you could ever hope to have. Which begs the question of why so many men still felt the need to use the bathroom on the side of the road despite all the warnings they were given.