After a couple days of working hard and riding in the Phoenix area I decided to make the trek down to Tucson on Thursday to ride the famous Mt. Lemmon. I was looking forward to the challenge and was excited to ride the same roads that the famous Lance Armstrong and his Discovery Channel team trained on, along with many other US Pro Teams and Riders. A 25 mile climb reaching an elevation of 9,157 feet, the summit is about 25 degrees cooler than the desert below. The change in scenery and temperature is very noticable. About every 1000 feet of climbing is like your traveling 600 miles North, going from desert cactus to pine trees and the brightest yellow leaved tree's I've ever seen.
About the ride... I started off not really knowing what to expect of my legs on the 25 mile (ended up being 30, starting from the car) journey to the top, I knew it was going to be more mental than anything. The only thing certain was that I was making it to the top: ride, walk, crawl. I had read on a local cyclists website that a good time was 2-1/2 hours from the parks entrance (25 miles), obiviously my goal was to beat that time. The mind games started early, I distinctly remember riding up on mile marker 3 and thinking to myself, you got to be kidding me I'm at mile marker 3 and I have 22 + to go. I decided at the beginning of the ride that it would be best if I saved the picture taking for the ride back down. I knew that if I stopped I would have a hard time getting my legs going again. I believe that it was aroung mile marker 16 that there was a distinct change in temperature and scenery. A 15 degree drop in temperature and strong odor of pine. At mile 28 I reached the town of Mt. Lemmon, I stopped and asked two local workers if this was the top. They noted that I had missed the turn to Ski Valley and would have to back track 500 yards and make the turn for the last two miles and 15oo feet of elevation gain. I chatted with these guys for a couple of minutes and decided that my time was up when one of the mountain men asked "That's a nice bike, where'd you pick that up?" I know this is bad, but by looking at this guy nothing about him screamed out cycling. How does he know this is a nice bike? At that moment all I could picture was me, 28 miles at the top of the mountain, in spandex shorts, shaved legs and this guy riding away in my $6000 bike. Really though they were two very nice and helpful guys, I enjoyed my chat with them, but I'd be lying if I said that thought didn't cross my mind. The short 5 min stop made the last two miles seem very long and painful, when I tried to stand and put pressure on the pedals, it felt like every muscle in my legs was about to cramp up. Finally I reached the top... 2:15 minutes from the park enterance and 2:31 if taking the time from the parking lot. After a moment of taking in the view I was on the hunt for some fuel for the way down. Off to the side was a very small store selling various candy, drinks and fudge. After remortgaging my house I walked away with a snickers bar, water and a pop for the decent back down the mountain.
The Ride Down... With the drop in temp I began to get a little chilled at the top, I put on my arm warmers, vest and hopped back on the bike. Finally... the part of the ride that I worked so hard for, there's just something about flying down a mountain at 30 - 40 miles an hour. (Mom don't read this... my top speed was 48 mph :) The descent was fun, fast and filled with road side stops to capture some memories. Finally I reached the car some 3-1/2 hours later, cleaned-up, changed clothes and hopped back in the car for the two hour trek back North to Phoenix and my legs are very thankful that Friday is a rest day.
My next venture is Saturday where I will be heading two hours north to Sedona for what is supposed to be the most scenic road in the country, state Route 89-A Sedona to Flagstaff, Oak Creek Canyon. Stay tuned for pics.
