Hello riders!
Here are some last minute notes regarding the 300k & 400k
events. Please read all of them. There are important bits
throughout.
About the routes:
- First,
I really enjoy riding these routes and I hope you will, too.
- Sunrise & Sunset.
Arizona has some of the best. Your sunrise should be over
Saguaro National Park. Don't miss it! Sunset may be on your
back, to your left or in your eyes, depending on your speed.
Faster riders may hit sunset on Sahuarita Rd. If this is
you, make sure you have all of your reflective gear ON
and all of your taillights ON. Cars will also have
the sun in their eyes and you want them to see you!
- Cue sheets and RWGPS have
been updated and are linked on the web (www.azbrevet.com).
If you previously downloaded them, do it again! Some things
have changed based upon the pre rides. The cue sheets will
say "3-4-2023_Final" on them.
- I will NOT have
printed cue sheets or Brevet cards at the start. You must
print your own documents if you want them.
- COLD!
A lot of you are here from colder climates, but I implore you
not to think that AZ doesn't get cold. The weather on Saturday
looks like it will be similar to my pre ride and I spent the
first 2.5 hours in below freezing temps with 1+ hours at 27
degrees. As soon as you leave the parking lot, the temp will
drop for the next 2 hours.
- COLD!
Wait, didn't I just say this? You will also be in Arizona's
high desert as the sun starts to set. Sonoita is notorious for
causing cyclists to shiver for 3+ hours as they try to get off
the mountain. I'm not telling you any of this to scare you. I
want you to be able to properly prepare for conditions you may
not be expecting.
- Trolley Tracks
as you go thru the University area. These are bike eaters!
Make sure you cross them perpendicularly. Then, be aware that
you will be riding parallel to them for about 1 mile. You will
ride this road in both directions - early and late. It will be
dark both times for 400k riders and possibly for 300k riders.
Warnings are noted on the cue sheet and RWGPS in both
directions.
- Lunch will be
served at mile 125! I will be sending out a
separate email with a menu of sandwiches from which you can
choose. It will be ready and waiting for you in Tubac. We have
some wonderful volunteers from the "Friends for Life" group in
the Green Valley area. Please show your appreciation for their
efforts to support us!
- The 300k & 400k routes will diverge here.
- 300k riders will CONTINUE
thru the patio area to the rear of the buildings,
then turn left into the parking lot and continue from
there.
- 400k riders will U-Turn
back to the Frontage Rd and continue South, the way
they were going.
- The Sonoita
Control for 400k riders is at mile 174. The
Dollar General Store is the latest open store for refueling.
It closes at 9pm. Just past the Dollar General is a Fire
Station where you can get water, if you need it. You need to
be aware of this limitation and plan accordingly. It WILL be
cold here.
- In Patagonia, at mile 161, is a
Market that closes at 8pm and a Saloon that closes at 2am if
you need anything.
- In Sahuarita, at mile 202, is a
Market that is open until 11 pm
- Rumble Strips
when descending from Sonoita for 400k riders. These are nasty
and there are 10-12 of them. They stretch all the way to the
white fog line. If you ride the white line you can miss most
of them, but must use extreme caution because of plants
growing into the road. They are all in the first 2.5 miles of
the descent, so don't take your hands off the bars during this
section! They are hard to see, even in daylight. There is a
cue in the RWGPS, and on the cue sheet, to warn you.
- You will be
finishing your rides on the bike trail. I'm not
normally a fan of bike trails for these events, but this one
is easy to follow and oh-so-nice! I wasn't familiar with it,
but found it trivial to follow in the dark. It really felt
good to get out of the traffic.
- For those
finishing very late, the latest open food will
be In-N-Out Burger right at the finish. They are open till
1:30 am. Other options in the finish plaza:
- Chick-fil-A, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen,
Walmart: 11 pm
- As you're coming thru the University,
there will be a couple options open till 2am where you can
stop to get food if you need to.
- There are 24 hour Convenience Stores
within a mile of the finish.
- You don't need a receipt for the finish
control. A photo of your smiling face at the Starbucks will
be perfect!
- Proof of passage
for RUSA/ACP credit. You have 3 options and you
only need to choose one of them. You MUST read the
specifics so that you understand what is involved in each
option. As Brad said, "Learn it. Know it. Live it." They
are linked on the web and may be found here: https://www.azbrevet.com/EPP.html
- GPS Track of your ride
- Photos at each control
- Traditional brevet card with receipts
and/or Informational questions.
- Brevet cards
may be found here. If you want a Brevet Card, you must print
it yourself.
- 300k: https://www.azbrevet.com/assets/brevetCards/Arivaca300k_3-4-2023_Card.pdf
- 400k: https://www.azbrevet.com/assets/brevetCards/Arivaca400k_3-4-2023_Card.pdf
- Remember
to look for a menu selection email for lunch. You will need to
respond with your sandwich choice.
- If you are
running late to the start, you MUST text (602.702.2132) me to
let me know you plan to ride. Otherwise, you will be listed as
DNS and will not receive credit for the ride. I will also be
riding and need to know who is on the route.
Let me know if you have any questions.
-Mike