the tour de phoenix (which never enters phoenix) goes over usery pass and i do this every year. TdP was my first race ever a couple years ago and i made it, so i know you can. i remember riding side-by-side that first year with a kid of about 12 riding the same bike as me. i think we were going about 8 mph up that hill. it also makes a difference if you do the route clockwise or counter. its a challenge, but its really nothing to fear, i didnt see anybody walking their bikes, and you get the greatest sense of accomplishment when you finish. you might be able to get an elevation chart from perimeter bicycling (pbaa.org), they have a TdP route map so maybe you could email them and see if they can provide an elevation sheet.

oh, and october is perfect riding weather here! absolutely perfect!

we have the Tour de Scottsdale in October and el Tour de Tucson in November. this is really the heart of our riding season, due to the perfect biking weather.