Although I did the El Tour de Tucson last year, I wimped out and only did the 66-mile loop. So this was my first "official" Century. I'm using Imageshack so I hope these all link correctly!
The "new" ride. Steel KHS frame with rattle-can paint job.
Worthless Ride Statistics:
Total miles: 98
Average speed; 15.6mph (was 19.2 until I started climbing
)
Top speed: 48.7mph
Ride time: 6 hours, 22 minutes
Actual time: 8 hours even (derailleur mechanical and weather)
Elevation:
Sunrise over Mt. Elden
About 13-miles into the ride, through Cosnino. You can see the San Fransisco Peaks in the background and the back-side of Mt. Elden above the "century 21 sign."
Heading north on 89A
North on 89A, in action! San-Fran peaks in background.
Slow climb to the first aid station on Sunset Crater Road. Still nouth on 89A.
Mile 45 (roughly) through the Wupatki National monument.
Doney Picnic stop around mile 52. Overlooking the painted desert.
Fast descent (and rough road) down into the painted desert.
Looking back at the Doney Picnic stop (rust-colored hill in the background.) And a few minutes after my 30-minute rear derailleur delay.
About 1/3 up the Sunset Crater climb, looking back.
Sunset Crater.
Still climbing. (Note clouds building)
At this point, I was using all of my energy NOT to fall off my bike, so my picture taking ceased. I regret that too, because there was some gorgeous photo-ops along this stretch. Lava flows, thunderheads building, etc.
As we worked our way back into Flagstaff, we got hit with a massive thunderstorm, complete with hail. Myself and a dozen other riders took refuge in an abandoned business' porch and waited at least 45 minutes for the storm to move past. Finally, it abated enough that a few of us rode the last 10 miles with a slight rain falling. So no pictures of the very end.
Who'll stop the rain...
The "new" ride. Steel KHS frame with rattle-can paint job.
Worthless Ride Statistics:
Total miles: 98
Average speed; 15.6mph (was 19.2 until I started climbing
)Top speed: 48.7mph
Ride time: 6 hours, 22 minutes
Actual time: 8 hours even (derailleur mechanical and weather)
Elevation:
Sunrise over Mt. Elden
About 13-miles into the ride, through Cosnino. You can see the San Fransisco Peaks in the background and the back-side of Mt. Elden above the "century 21 sign."
Heading north on 89A
North on 89A, in action! San-Fran peaks in background.
Slow climb to the first aid station on Sunset Crater Road. Still nouth on 89A.
Mile 45 (roughly) through the Wupatki National monument.
Doney Picnic stop around mile 52. Overlooking the painted desert.
Fast descent (and rough road) down into the painted desert.
Looking back at the Doney Picnic stop (rust-colored hill in the background.) And a few minutes after my 30-minute rear derailleur delay.
About 1/3 up the Sunset Crater climb, looking back.
Sunset Crater.
Still climbing. (Note clouds building)
At this point, I was using all of my energy NOT to fall off my bike, so my picture taking ceased. I regret that too, because there was some gorgeous photo-ops along this stretch. Lava flows, thunderheads building, etc.
As we worked our way back into Flagstaff, we got hit with a massive thunderstorm, complete with hail. Myself and a dozen other riders took refuge in an abandoned business' porch and waited at least 45 minutes for the storm to move past. Finally, it abated enough that a few of us rode the last 10 miles with a slight rain falling. So no pictures of the very end.
Who'll stop the rain...
