tour de tucson - pix and "results"

[slmdunc]

Hi! I'm not sure if I should post here or start a new one - but Mimi - I'm just gonna follow your lead and post my pics here...

El Tour was so much fun! This was my first century and I had a blast. I did it with Team in Training, and I tell ya - I'm hooked. I did the full 109 miles, and I am proud I finished, although my time is probably nothing to be impressed by with a lot of you gals!

I finished with an official time of 9:18:37 and place # 3709 - but at least I finished! I did rank enough to get a silver medal - so that felt great. The ride time shown by my group's computers showed that we had actual RIDE TIME of 7hours and 25 minutes, give or take. Between SAGs and river crossings... the final time was obviously more. (anything to make us feel better, right??? )

MY computer (garmin 305) decided to STOP WORKING the day before the ride. Figures. I'm not sure what it was. I only got it this past July, but it was as if it was getting no juice from battery. Just... nothing... I am now trying to figure out if it was better or worse to ride without a computer. I couldn't count down the miles - I just asked at SAG stops where we were and held on and pedaled through the rest!

It was a hillier route than I expected. At first it took me offguard and as I struggled up the first of them, I had a cute gal from North Carolina pass me with a twang, hollering "wee got sum heeels in North Carolina, gurl!" It was all good natured, and I cheered her on. Later, I did quite a bit of passing of my own as I got my groove going up hills - and that felt great.

Here are some pics:
(I can't figure out how to comment under each one - so - 1-4 are as follows: My partner and I at the start line; Me at the first river crossing - Still Fresh!; Me at mile 85 SAG - the endorphins have me over the edge!; and finally - my partner and I happy and FINISHED!

P.S. - Mimi - I hate I didn't get to see you or meet you, but congrats on your success with the ride!

[mimitabby]

Hi Slamdunk
I am happy that you posted pictures here! DH took a picture of a couple of gals your age at the riverbed from team in training and for a moment, i thought it was you. (but then we checked and they're someone else.)
they;re great photos!!!

congrats on your first century! but you have to cut down on the off the bike time if the total count matters to you.
Bummer about your computer!

I'm sorry i didn't get to meet you either. I'll post a few more photos later myself.

(anyone else please feel free to post your photos here from TdT!!!


Wahine, I am very happy about doing a fast 80 instead of a worn out frazzled 109!

Zen, thanks

[slmdunc]

Thanks Mimi! I have to say, I've really found a love for this whole cycling thing. I do want to work on going faster and with fewer stops. I see you carry a backpack/camelback. I have one, but did not carry it with me for this ride. I think I may try that for my next century.

The last 10 miles did suck. Between the pot holes / messy road and the combined short-ride riders, kids, and exhausted long-ride riders - I don't know how I didn't bite it! I also got the chills at the end... ugh - dehydration.

[PinkBike]

nancy, on the dry creek bed crossings, most people just go across with abandon. i put my cleat covers on because i wear speedplays. last year i didnt and the sand just packs in around the spring and you cant clip in for nuthin. you can tell the speedplay users - we're the ones crowded around the entrances and exits putting on and taking off cleat covers!! i finally stopped at a SAG stop much later and actually took off my shoes and socks and emptied out the sand, and cleaned the sand from the cleats.

thanks so much for posting the great pictures guys. i posted my report on the 11/17 rides thread, but i'm still basking in the aftermath. DH just asked me this morning out of the blue what my speed was on tangerine, so he's still reliving it also.

next year . . . (sigh) . . . under 6 hours . . . hmmmmmmmmm

[mimitabby]

Nancy, I have spd's and they did not get jammed up or anything from the sand. i wear SIDI MTB shoes, so they are really pretty nice to walk in.
At the end of the sand I sat down and shook the sand out of my shoes. I also wiped down my wheels where the brakes drag because i did go through one muddy place (from the water they were giving us)

i did see some cleat covers IN THE SAND.. i guess they don't stay on that good.

[mimitabby]

Pinkbike/Laurie

I passed someone on a pink bike, but she was not wearing pink. Further, considering your time, i don't t hink i could have passed you and you not passed me again later!

so i guess i didn't see you.

[coyote]

You all are an inspiration. Next year I'm doing it!

Thanks Mimi and SD for posting pictures. It looks like a lot of fun. Congrats to you all.