Here are some last minute notes about Saturday's rides. I know that there's a lot of stuff here, but please read through it so that you come prepared. Here is a link to Steve Atkins' ride report on the Desert 600k from 2020. It will be cooler this year so some of his challenges may be reduced this time around. https://cyclewhitney.blogspot.com/2020/10/2020-desert-600km-pre-ride.html
I pre rode the 200k on Sunday and the 400k on Tuesday.
- On the 200k: I found a couple small construction areas, but nothing to take note of. The route was fun and fast. Since almost all of you are from out of the area, remember to bring a camera (and sunscreen!!). There are some bike paths on this route. The GPS route is spot-on. The cue sheet is also correct. But, navigating with only a cue sheet might pose additional challenges in some areas where multiple spurs meet at an intersection. I suggest buddying up through here if you don't have a map. You can also view and/or navigate with the RWGPS app on your phone. Cell coverage should be good in this area.
There are some really picturesque areas that this route visits. Here is a ride forecast from www.randoplan.com that you can customize to your own ride pace. https://bit.ly/3EBCEvv
- On the 400k: It's almost hard to believe, but there is a forecast of possible rain. If that happens, it will likely be a pleasant surprise! The Saturday/Sunday forecasts look very nice. Here is a ride forecast from www.randoplan.com. https://bit.ly/3TdNDQ3
Like the 200k, there are some short stretches with construction, but nothing worthy of noting. One issue that I found was no public restrooms in Buckeye, the control town. There is a Porta-John at mile 71.9 and is now noted in the RWGPS and cue sheet. If that's not soon enough, then you will have to plan accordingly. There are numerous services at mile 45.
I will be out of town during these events, but Steve Atkins and Chris Schiffhauer will be there for you.
- Steve (602.549.5331) will be there for your Saturday start to give any last minute info and to answer any questions you may have. His name and phone number are on the cue sheets and Brevet cards. You should call him if you have any questions. He will also have a water stop set up for you on Saturday. See below for details and open times.
- Chris (602.510.7517) will have a water/snack stop set up for you on Sunday. See below for details and open times.
- IF YOU DOWNLOADED THE CUE
SHEET, RWGPS OR BREVET CARD BEFORE YOU RCVD
THIS EMAIL, DOWNLOAD AGAIN! I have just updated the cue
sheets and RWGPS files. You may need to refresh
your browser to see the latest.
- The 300k/400k/600k
courses are starting concurrently.
The 400k & 600k routes are identical for
the first 400k. The 300k route diverges at
mile 99.2, then again at mile 142. Make sure
you're not blindly following the rider in
front of you in case they're riding a
different distance.
- The Last 200k of the 600k
is the same route as the Saturday 200k. You
will notice that the intermediate controls on
that loop are Informational, and untimed. This
means that you can get some rest at the 400k
point of the ride without worry of missing an
intermediate control time. You will
have until 10pm on Sunday to finish the
600k. So, if you're tired after the first
400k, get some rest before you head out on the
final 200. Riding safely is always preferred!
- Parking at the Start:
THIS IS NEW!
If you're driving to the start, please use the
empty parking lot directly across Chandler
Blvd from the Motel 6. This is an empty
restaurant. Google map to the start: https://goo.gl/maps/Lm4Y1pftCdEHxpFj8
If you're riding your bike from this parking
lot, please use the green arrow to get to the
start. There is a light for you to cross
there. Then follow the red route indicated.
It's the same as your 400k finish.
- Support on the rides:
- There will be
minimal support on these rides.
Riders should be self-sufficient.
Food/water options are noted on the cue
sheets and on the RWGPS files. There are
resources at regular intervals. Please
study the route BEFORE Saturday so
that you know where services are
located. The forecast looks hot,
but not brutal. As such, there are a
couple stretches where supplemental
water might be helpful. Steve &
Chris have your backs!
- Saturday support:
Steve will be located at the top of the
"climb" on Maricopa Rd. At Mile 123.4
for the 400/600k riders. At Mile 119 for
the 300k riders. He will have water,
ice, soda and some snacks. Open
times: 12:30 - 15:30. These times
are based upon the previous fastest and
slowest times that riders reached the
Gila Bend control. It is ~20 miles from
that control to this oasis.
- Sunday support:
Chris will be stationed at Aztec Park on
Sunday. This is at Mile 279.7 into the
600k, or Mile 29.3 if you're following
the 200k route. He will be near the
restrooms there. He will also have
water, ice, soda and snacks. Open
times: 07:30 - 09:30. These times
are based upon 600k riders starting the
last 200k between 06:00 and 07:00 on
Sunday. Plan accordingly.
- Start Times: 06:00 for the 300k/400k/600k. The 200k will start at 07:00. Please be there early enough to get your bike and yourself together so that everyone can start on time. Steve will give any last minute instructions at about 05:55 & 06:55, respectively. Also, please check in with Steve so that he knows who is out on the course.
- Lights & Reflective
gear. 300k/400k/600k riders
will be required to have headlights
and taillights mounted to their bicycle and in
use during all low-light situations. Head
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. 200k
riders will be starting after sunrise and are
not required to start with lights and
reflective gear. But, sunset is 5:54 pm and if
you're riding after that time, lights and
reflective gear ARE required. Remember, be
seen, be safe!
- You
must bring your own documents.
- GPS files and cue sheets are linked at www.azbrevet.com, and the control cards are linked below.
- Every rider should be prepared to collect and submit proof of passage for this brevet. The current protocol is:
- Follow
all legal requirements for public health,
including wearing masks, where required.
- These
routes pass through multiple Native
American communities. Many of the
businesses located on the reservations
still require masks to be worn while
inside. Please respect these requirements
where posted. Have a mask with you in case
you need to wear it.
- PLEASE!
Let Steve know if you decide not to start,
or abandon your ride. Send an email or text
to Steve - 602.549.5331. We really
do worry about every rider on the course.
This extra few seconds of your time is
appreciated more than you know.
- Electronic proof of passage (EPP), by submitting a public track of your ride that shows the time it began and ended. NOTE: GPS devices can, and do, fail. If YOU choose this as your only method of verification, YOU also accept the responsibility that if something goes wrong, you will not get credit for the ride. Plan accordingly.
- Digital
photographs taken on your phone or digital
camera at each control, submitted via email
after the ride. The Controls where you see a
volunteer, don't require any additional
verification from you. We will have a roster
and record your time of arrival. That's all
that you need to do.
- A traditional control card with receipts from commercial controls and/or answers at information controls, submitted by email of the scanned information after the ride (no photos of the receipts and card - too hard to read). When the Control says "OPEN" that means that any establishment in the vicinity may be used as the control. All Info Control questions will be found on the Brevet cards. The control card can only be obtained by printing it in advance of the ride from these links:
- If you use a GPS for verification, a ride track from RideWithGPS or Strava is strongly preferred for EPP. Make sure that the settings for these tracks are PUBLIC. Don't make me contact you because I can't access it. If you need to, you may submit tracks from other apps, BUT, no track will be accepted that requires me to download an app or open an account. No gpx, tcx, fit, etc. files will be accepted. If you submit EPP that does not readily show the time your ride started and ended, your result for the ride will be DNQ.
- Photographic proof of passage includes photos from the beginning and end of your ride. You should write down those times to submit with your photographic proof of passage. At each control along the route you need to photograph the place you stopped, meaning the source of information for any informational control. At open commercial controls, you need to photograph something that indicates your location, which could be street signs at an intersection, or other distinguishing landmarks. No photos are required at staffed controls.
- A control card requires receipts from commercial locations or answering the Informational Questions (if noted). Your elapsed time is from the receipt at the opening control to the receipt at the ending control, unless a brevet official notes your start time at the opening control.
- Every rider has the stated amount of elapsed time to complete a qualifying ride, from the official start time. You may start a brevet any time within the designated start window, i.e. the published start time + 1 hour. Note that if you choose to start after your published start time, you may be starting alone and no one will be at the start greet you. You MUST text Steve if you start late so that we know to expect you at the following controls.
- Proof
of passage must be submitted to the
organizer @ mikesturgill@cox.net
All
proof of passage must be emailed within 72
hours of ride completion,
because results for all riders will only be
sent to RUSA after all results are received. I
know that most all of you will be traveling
here and back. If you can't submit by then,
you must let me know in advance.
-Mike
602.702.2132