Kitt Peak Brevets Last Minute Notes 3-29-2025

3/27/2025 Update after Pre Ride:

Brian has completed the pre ride and I have made some changes to the 400k and 600k routes, as a result. I know it's a pain to be making these last minute changes, but each of them are for the betterment of the riders convenience, safety and access to food/water. Here are the specific changes made and some construction that riders on the 600k will find on the final 200k loop up to Oracle. 200k & 300k riders can safely ignore all of these updates. Nothing has changes on the 200k and 300k routes. I will also update the last minute notes link with all of this information.
LMN: azbrevet.com/assets/LMN/KittPeakBrevetsLMN_3-29-2025.htm

Route Updates made: Updates have been made to the Kitt Peak 400k, 600k and Oracle 200k (the final 200k of the 600k) route. The web is updated for the RWGPS, Cue sheets and the new 600k Brevet card is linked below.
1) 400/600k routes mile 205.8: Continue straight on the access road. You will be in the dark, so most of the benefit of riding the original section will be lost. This change will force you to pass some services that you would otherwise have missed. You will now have access to food/water in Green Valley on-route.
2) 600k route mile 287: I moved the Control from the Quik Trip (on the left) to the Maverik (on the right) about 0.3 miles later. This will make getting into and out of the control much easier.

New 400k / 600k / Oracle 200k routes: These are also linked on the AZ Brevet web. You may need to refresh your browser for them to be active.
Kitt Peak 400k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45371776
Kitt Peak 600k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45740685
Oracle 200k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45375427
New 600k Brevet card with new Control Location: KittPeak600kUofA_Card_3-29-2025.pdf

Construction Notes: Both items pertain ONLY to 600k riders. They are on the final Oracle 200k loop of the 600k route. I will give distances for both the 600k and Oracle 200k so that whichever you use will be referenced properly.
3) Mile 275 / 23.5: This is the bike path exit onto Avra Valley Rd. You need to make a LEFT here, but construction and newly added barriers in the middle of the road make that impossible. Brian was able to make a left here and ride the bike lane opposite to traffic for about 50 meters. He was then able to cross the road to ride with traffic as normal. If you choose to go right here (ride in the direction of traffic) you will need to find a suitable place to make a U-Turn to get back on route. Either option is acceptable.
4) Mile 288 / 36: This is on Tangerine Rd just after the new Maverik Control. There is road construction for about 1.5 miles. There is no bike lane here and portions of the road are pinched due to barriers. There are no reasonable detours available. Please use caution thru here. Most of this section has a center left turn lane, so cars have room to safely pass.

 

Original Notes:

Hello riders! It looks like you’ll have a sunny and pleasant ride on Saturday. Depending upon which forecasting service you believe, you could have net headwinds or net tailwinds. Who are we kidding?!?!? We’re cyclists, we know it’ll be headwinds, right?

Only the 600k route (which includes all of the 400k and most of the 200 & 300k routes) has been pre ridden. Brian is riding the last 200k of the 600k today. I’ll update you if he finds any issues. No issues were found on the first 400k.

The routes are really nice! Wildflowers are in bloom on the stretch to/from Sells. If you’ve never climbed Kitt Peak, I suggest that you settle into a comfortable pace and keep it there. It’s early in the ride and you could easily blow yourself up if you try to set a PR. It’s 12 miles of consistent 6% incline and climbs 3600’ to the summit at 6900’. I can also tell you that the descent will be COLD. Make sure you have some clothes/layers that you can put on. It looks like Saturday will be chilly at the top (Kitt Peak Forecast). The descent off of Helmet Peak for 400/600k riders will be late at night and it’s always cold up there. Plan accordingly.

After Kitt Peak, 200k & 300k riders will stay at lower elevations and will finish sooner, so the evening chill will be less of a factor.

1.      IF YOU DOWNLOADED THE CUE SHEET AND/OR RWGPS BEFORE YOU RCVD THIS EMAIL, DOWNLOAD AGAIN – ALL DISTANCES! I have updated the cue sheets and maps. You may need to refresh your browser to see the latest.

1.      600k riders may wish to break the route up into the first 400k + last 200k. If so, here is that option for you.

1.      400k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45371776

2.      200k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45375427

  1. Support on the rides: Brian McGuire will be supporting the rides. (THANK YOU, Brian!) You can expect him to be at the following locations. All riders will go thru the first 3 locations.
    1. Mile 34: 3 Points. Water, bananas, snacks
    2. Mile 62: Kitt Peak Visitor’s Center. Lunch – Water, Soda, sandwiches, snacks
    3. Mile 132: 3 Points. Water, soda, snacks + more
      1. For 300/400/600k riders (mile 132): Brian’s priority will be to get to Arivaca for the 400k/600k riders. The store in Arivaca closes at 7pm. So, he will need to leave 3 Points to get to Arivaca 1:30 after the first riders depart for Arivaca.
      2. For 200k riders (mile 90), Brian may not be able to get back to 3 Points for support on your return. He will remain atop Kitt Peak until the last rider leaves. If you’re a faster rider, please utilize the store there to refuel.
    4. Mile 177 (400/600k): Arivaca Mercantile. Water, soda, snacks, other food TBD

3.      Start Times:  05:00. Please be there early enough to get your bike and yourself together so that everyone can start on time. We will give any last-minute instructions at about 04:55. Also, please check in with us at the Starbucks so that we know who is out on the course.

  1. Lights & Reflective gear. All riders will be required to have headlights and taillights mounted to their bicycle and in use during all low-light situations. Helmet lamps are good as backups, but not allowed as your only light. Reflective vests and reflective ankle bands are also required and must be worn to start the events. Remember, be seen, be safe!
  2. You must bring your own documents.  GPS files and cue sheets are linked at www.azbrevet.com, and the control cards are linked below.
  3. Every rider should be prepared to collect and submit proof of passage for this brevet.  The current protocol is detailed here. 

www.azbrevet.com/EPP.html  Please read and understand this info!

If you have questions, ask BEFORE you start your ride.

  1. All Control information will be found on the Brevet cards. The cards can only be obtained by printing them in advance of the ride from these links. Note that a recent RUSA change now makes all Intermediate controls untimed. Yippee! I have left the reference closing times on the cards so that riders are able to gauge their progress against the Final control closing time, which is still required. Riders still need to execute the control instructions, but the timing is not important.
    1. 200k: Brevet card HERE  
    2. 300k: Brevet card HERE
    3. 400k: Brevet card HERE
    4. 600k: Brevet card HERE
  1. Proof of passage must be submitted to the organizer @ mikesturgill@cox.net  All proof of passage must be emailed within 48 hours of ride completion. The results for all riders will only be sent to RUSA after all results are received.
  2. If you are running late or can’t make it to the start, please text Me (602.702.2132) so that I know whether you plan to ride or not. If you do not let me know you’re running late, you will be listed as a Did Not Start.
  3. If you abandon the ride at any point, please text Brian (602.410.8091) to let him know. Please don’t go AWOL and leave Brian somewhere waiting for you. He’s giving up his entire day to support us, please be courteous.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.
-Mike