Hello Randos!


Welcome to Arizona’s high country! Areas you will be visiting – Coconino National Forest (NF), Kaibab NF, Grand Canyon National Park, Little Colorado River Gorge, Wupatki National Monument (NM), Sunset Crater Volcano NM, Walnut Canyon NM, Lowell Perkins Telescope, NPOI Telescope and Lowell Discovery Telescope. This is a lot to pack into a couple days of riding. I hope you have your camera with you.

 

Here are some last-minute notes about Saturday and Sunday’s rides. I know that there's a lot of stuff here, but please read through it all so that you come prepared. Ask questions for anything that is unclear or not covered.

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

2.      Notes from the Pre rides:

1.      The first loop of the ride is challenging. Don’t burn too many matches during the first section getting to the Grand Canyon (GC). You will be tempted to smoke it because of the nice cool temps and friendly terrain. But, after you reach GC, the route gets climby and temps will go up. Be smart.

2.      Services are available at regular intervals, but there is very little in between. Make sure you take every opportunity to top off your bottles or grab food as needed. Locations are noted on the cue sheet and the RWGPS map.

3.      The Grand Canyon is a national park and, as such, has an entrance fee associated with it. You will need to pay the entrance fee when you enter, or present your National Park (NP) Pass for entry. If you have a NP pass, it is good for yourself and 3 additional riders. Wupatki is a National Monument. There may also be a fee associated with entry there, but I have never been asked to show my pass there while riding thru.

4.      You will be riding at elevations between 4400’ – 8100’. Summer storms are common and can occur without warning or prediction. When it rains at these elevations, it can be refreshing or freezing! Make sure you carry a light jacket in case a freezing storm rains down on you. I have been caught out in a few of these storms and temperatures can drop 40 degrees in a few minutes.

5.      Bring sunscreen! The sun’s intensity in Arizona is intense and unforgiving.

6.      On my pre ride to GC, it was 46 degrees in Flagstaff when I started and cooled to a crisp 36 degrees about 20 miles later. The hot spot will be Cameron (mile 152). It may be close to 100 degrees there, depending on when you arrive. It will cool down as you climb back to Flagstaff.

7.      All intermediate controls are untimed. This means that the only control times you need to note are the start and finish times. So, if you’re riding the 600k, take time to rest when you finish the first loop. When you’re rested, then head out for the final 240k. The final control closing time for the 600k is at 9pm on Sunday evening.

8.      The Coconino Explorer 240k (2nd part of the 600k) is far less challenging than the GC loop.

9.      The dirt section is 2.8 miles in length. Here is the pre ride description of that section.

1.      There is actually 2.8 miles total and there were 3 short sections that were challenging to get a good line. He never had to stop, but did unclip on these sections. Some gravel and some sand. 25s should be ridable, but it's always hard to say given that skill on this terrain varies among riders. The pre rider is a novice on gravel/dirt roads.

3.      The 600k/360k courses are starting concurrently. The 600k/360k routes are identical the entire distance back to Flagstaff. The Last 240k of the 600k and the Coconino Explorer 240k are also identical.

4.      Walnut Canyon NM: may be closed when you arrive there. If the gate to the Visitor Center is closed, just turn around at the entrance station. It’s only a few hundred meters from the entrance station to the VC.

5.      Start location: We will start in front of Basha’s (2700 S Woodlands Village Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001). If you’re going to park there, please park far enough away from the entrance so as to not interfere with customers parking there. Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aVBDpzVWmi5cHfo66

  1. Support on the rides: There will be no organized support on the ride. Food and water may be obtained at regular intervals. Here is a quick synopsis of what’s available.
    1. Mile 52.5: Valle Travel Center
    2. Mile 74.7: Town of Tusayan. Many options
    3. Mile 88.8: Hermit’s Rest snack bar. Grand Canyon Spring water is found here.
    4. Mile 97.6: Grand Canyon Market Plaza and Grill
    5. Mile 120.8: Desert View Market & Deli
    6. Mile 152.2: Convenience stores and Burger King. Make sure you get enough food here. It will be slim pickings until you get back to Flagstaff.
    7. Mile 160.3: Gas station store. Only 8 miles from your last stop, but FILL YOUR BOTTLES.
    8. Mile 186.3: Wupatki Visitor’s Center. Water only
    9. Mile 205.4: Sunset Crater Volcano Visitor’s Center. Water only
    10. Mile 212.9 – the finish: Regular services available thru Flagstaff
  2. Start Times:  05:00 for the 600k/360k. Please be there early enough to get your bike and yourself together so that everyone can start on time. Brian McGuire will give any last-minute instructions at about 04:55. Also, please check in with him so that we know who is out on the course.

8.      The 240k on Sunday currently only has 1 rider signed up. If there is a consensus start time on Sunday by some of the 600k riders, please let me (602.702.2132) know so that I can inform her. It would be nice for her to start with a group instead of starting solo.

  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 Brevet 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.
  4. 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. 600k: Brevet card HERE
    2. 360k: Brevet card HERE
    3. 240k: 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 Brian (602.410.8091) so that he knows whether you plan to ride or not.
  3. If you abandon the ride at any point, please text me (602.702.2132) to let me know.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.
-Mike