tour de tucson - pix and "results"

[mimitabby]

Well, we ended up doing the 80 mile ride. The idea of having to dress so warmly and then having to undress just didn't appeal to us, nor did the idea of waiting in the dark and cold in line for 2 hours. besides, we'd heard that the 80 mile group was much smaller, and they left at 9 (be there at 8 and wait)

and we were off

we rode with MTKitchen, who apparently spends more time on bikejournal.

As we left, we joined the ranks of the slower 100 mile riders. we saw the fast ones go by; they looked like the tour de france!

and then we began to climb


they had most traffic completely stopped for the event. there were massive lines of cars to pass. It was exhilarating to fly through stop signs and stop lights with police holding the cars back.

the first 10 miles were pretty hard for me. we were going 20 mph half the time! It was already hot (i'm from Seattle, home of the cool and damp, remember) and we had hours and hours to go. But i kept being able to put out that kind of speed! it was nuts, crazy really. We'd go up hills, and I slowed down of course, but on every hill I passed a lot of people. Donald cooled my ego trip by reminding me; this is the beginning of their season!

since we did the 80, I only had to cross one river bed. We walked about 1/2 a mile through sand. there was a refreshment stop in the middle of all that!
lots of water and good fruit. Oh, the watermelon was fantastic!



for me an important part of every ride is the 1/2 way mark. and at 40 miles, that's when i started to believe i could really do it. I was still riding 18-25 mph on mostly my own steam (and some 1% grades)

The last 8 miles were tough, because i was tired, we were joined by all the 25 milers (and their lack of experience and fresh energy) so it became much less safe, surrounded by bikers of every kind of experience level.

Donald stuck with me for the last 12 miles, because he could see I was flagging (but riding 14-16mph!!!!). I started to feel chills (and it was 90) so i rode a bit more and at 3 miles to go, i stopped in the shade and drank everything i had. Then we finished.




We discovered thatthey handed out beautiful medals!!!
So we walked over to the booths where they were being handed out, but first the shoes came off, and oh did THAT FEEL GOOD! here I am with
one of Raleighdon's BJ buddies, GT


here's the three of us. MTKitchen was an incredible rider, even though she has not been in training, she kept up with Donald almost always, and I worked to stay with her. She was a safe, pleasant, good riding partner; I'm glad I got to meet her.



and last but not least, here I am with one of my new friends

[kelownagirl]

Awesome pictures - awesome ride! Congratulations Mimi - I knew you could do it!!!!!

[salsabike]

Mimi, that is just fabulous. Congrats to you!

[maillotpois]

Great report and photos!! Good job!

[Blueberry]

Congratulations!!

Sounds like a great ride!!

CA

PS - Do you have a generator hub on your bike? Thought I spied a light

[mtkitchn]

Thanks for the great ride report and pictures, Mimi! You forgot to mention how I mooched a bed off you guys the night before the ride, and I slept like a baby while you two didn't!
It was an absolute pleasure to ride with you and Don. I'm glad you guys made the decision to do the 80 miler. Looking forward to riding again sometime!

BTW, most Arizonans ride through the summer, so it's not *really* the start of our season. You were riding really strongly!