200 km Ride Report, October 14, 2006
by Mick McCombs

This was my third brevet, having ridden this course back in January and the 200km Durango, CO brevet that Val & Robyn Phelps organized in August. I had been a little concerned about the weather for this one since we had fairly strong thunderstorms roll through the night before and the forecast had been for scattered thunderstorms. However, the weather at the start was mild temps with no rain but lots of clouds and wind. So, off we went at 0730, following Susan's truck out of Casa Grande.

It was not a large group this time and we stayed pretty much together for the first few miles but soon started to spread out as the faster riders gradually pulled ahead. Before we got to the first I10 crossing I found myself riding with Dave Peashock and discussing past rides. Just before we got to I10 on 387 we came upon Sandiway Fong changing a flat tire. Little did I know that was a precursor to things to come for me. After Dave and I had crossed I10 and started up the long hill to the top of the mini-pass on 387 here came Sandiway flying past us in an attempt to rejoin the lead group. Not long after that I suffered the first of my two flats that I would have that day. I told Dave to keep going and I would try to catch up. After repairing the tire, I rode alone the rest of the way to the first checkpoint where I joined back up with Dave and a few other riders including Bruce Chandler and John Kolacz. Susan was there to sign our cards and snap a few pictures. I didn't spend much time at that checkpoint and was soon working my way through Coolidge and back toward Casa Grande.

Someplace along Woodruff I was caught by Bruce and John and we rode together into the wind the rest of the way back to the bike shop and Checkpoint #3. Before getting back to the checkpoint, however, I suffered my second flat and Bruce and John were kind enough to stop and keep me company while I changed the tube and booted the tire for the second time.

When I arrived at the bike shop I found my friend, Tom Baker, reclining in the back of the truck and waiting for my return. He had been back for quite a while and had a burger and lemonade waiting for me which was very welcome. After signing in, topping off my rear tire with air and washing off my face, Tom and I took off for the last part of the ride into the reservation. Although Tom could have easily been riding with the lead group at this time, I was very happy to have him with me as we continued to pace into the wind and out to Susan's truck at the turnaround checkpoint.

I think Indian Route 15 is a really excellent road to ride on; it has plenty of shoulder and a generally smooth road surface. Going out, however, tends to be kind of a grind because of the normal headwind and it is slightly uphill all the way.

Perhaps halfway out to the checkpoint we started to see the leaders heading back to the finish. I think Kevin Arps and Dave Lehnen were the first we saw then not too far behind them was George Begin who was riding in his first brevet and doing a great job. About two thirds of the way out to the checkpoint, we had stopped for a bite to eat and here came Bruce Chandler who waved as he continued on his way. Tom and I resumed our ride and eventually caught up to Bruce in a few miles as he had stopped to deal with a leg cramp. At that point, Bruce joined our little train and we finished the ride to Susan's truck together.

After stocking up on a variety of food and drink as prepared by our tireless RBA, Tom and I headed back toward the finish, enjoying the tailwind, smooth road, and slight downhill. Bruce must have started out right after we did since he soon had joined us and we finished the ride together without incident. We saw Susan one more time as she snapped a few more pictures on her return to the finish checkpoint. Bruce and I were grateful to have an engine like Tom Baker in front of us most of the way back. Tom has five PBP's under his belt and he is a wealth of information on that ride if anybody is considering qualifying for it next year.

All in all, I thought it was a very good brevet, with only the flat tires and occasional headwinds detracting at all. Tom Baker was riding with a power meter for the first time and it was very interesting to see the difference in power being generated in spots where we were climbing against the wind as compared to riding with the wind at our backs. It's a remarkable difference and more than I would have guessed.

Thanks once again to Susan for organizing and overseeing the brevet. We're lucky to have her as our RBA in AZ.