Tumacacori

Me with my start of the ride 'warrior pose'.

Sam and I rode in the Tumacacori Century today. It was hard. I've done Tumacacori five times so far and this was the second most difficult time I've had riding it (On the hardest time I rode 120 miles instead of 104 after making a wrong turn in Nogales in 101 degrees). On the way out I flew like the wind and felt very strong. There was a headwind and the final 30 miles was some of the most grueling riding I've had the pleasure of doing. Still, it was an enjoyable day and aside from being mentally defeated I feel pretty good physically.

I haven't been doing much riding this year compared to last year. Last year I rode in a 500 mile cross state ride and a 220 mile loop through the White Mountains on the eastern side of the state. I also trained like crazy for those two rides to try and become a hill climber. After the Grand Canyon ride my motivation dropped steeply (didn't help I had a baby on the way) and I have basically been riding to maintain my new slower status rather than improve. I've been trying to kick up the pace a bit for the El Tour de Tucson if only so I can keep up with my brother. I've been a stronger rider the last couple years but I'm pretty sure he's passed me up this year. He's been riding all the time and he's really been rocking and rolling. This year's El Tour is shaping up to be an intense experience. :)

Kris, Eva (and Elias' body) in the car at one of the SAG stops.

For this year's Tumacacori we arrived a wee bit later than usual. I misjudged how long the drive from our house to Sahuarita was and we arrived just as registration opened. After unloading the bikes, pumping the tires, holding the baby while the wife used the restroom, etc. It was 7:15 am when we started. Sam and I rode the first few miles together while I warmed up and then I sprinted ahead to the first turn around point.

Sam hasn't been riding many long rides this year but her skill has been improving quite a bit. It really showed today. She just got braces and her mouth has been bothering her so I didn't expect her to feel highly motivated, but she really went for it. Kristin and I kept suggesting that she cut a few miles here and there off the ride but she'd have none of it. She followed a few miles behind me all the way to the second to the last SAG. For this version of Tumacacori the second to the last SAG was at 57 miles with a 10 mile ride out to the last SAG, then back to the beginning for a grand total of 100.2 miles. She rolled in to the 57 mile point and felt great. Unfortunately it had been a strong tailwind before that point and many of the returning riders were bemoaning the fierce headwind they encountered on the way back. Sam wanted to go for it but the wind picked up in ferocity and she decided to turn around there and settle for an 80 mile ride. She arrived at the end feeling energized and not too fazed by the wind and now she wishes she'd rode the whole thing. Even though that part was disappointing for her, Kristin and I were incredibly impressed with her tenacity and endurance. I think she can do the 109 mile El Tour de Tucson. I didn't before this day! :)

Sam ready to tackle a century.

Kris, Elias and Eva followed Sam and I around the course in our own personal support car. Elias enjoyed getting out of the car at the stops and playing in the dirt. It's his favorite pass time. Eva was pretty cheery every time I saw her, but Kris tells me she got tired of being in the car on the way back to the start line. It was nice having my family meet me at every SAG stop. They didn't manage to to make it to the last one and a couple of guys that were riding around me remarked "Your family didn't make it to this one?" I think they were envious of my cycling supportive family. :)

I did do the whole 100 miles and I kind of wish I hadn't. My shoulders are sore, my hands are sore, my back is sore and my legs are wobbly. There were two factors that allowed me to finish. I had a strong sense of macho pride compelling me to finish, but more importantly I had given Sam my cell phone and I really had no choice. :)