Paul Kramer's blog

98.6 miles 2133 feet climbed

Reversing yesterday’s uphill ride to the hotel gave us 6 downhill miles to begin today’s longest so far ride. Except for a small stretch as we turned north near Columbus, we had to plow through crosswinds. Again. 

Continue reading “Day 11: Portal, Arizona to Columbus, New Mexico”

85.3 miles, 2225 feet climbed

Our day began with breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club. Then approximately 18 miles of generally downhill riding toward Douglas. A quartering headwind kept speeds in check. After Douglas, traffic was very light, allowing us to ride at the edge of the traffic lane when the shoulder was bumpy with upthrusting cracks or intruded upon by roadside vegetation (weeds).

Continue reading “Day 10: Bisbee to Portal, Arizona”

24.3 miles, 2165 feet climbed

We woke to the prospect of significant rain if we were to leave at our normal starting times. Departure was pushed back to 11 am. At 11 it was raining in Benson. Our leader recommended shuttling to a starting point in Tombstone, which would avoid the rains. A few riders opted to start in Benson, wanting to ride every inch of the tour route (known in the business as “EFI”). I chose to shuttle. For those who started in Benson the rains let up after about 7 miles but strong headwinds gave them a workout.

Continue reading “Day 9: Benson to Bisbee, Arizona”

59.4 miles, 3234 feet climbed

Today we were looking at the possibility of rain but it didn’t materialize. We skipped a side loop into the western portion of Suguaro National Park because its roads were likely affected by recent rains. Our lunch stop was moved to the hotel to reduce our exposure to potential rains. Some rooms were ready when we arrived, others were not.

Continue reading “Day 8: Tucson to Benson, Arizona”

Today is for laundry, chain lube, and a massage. And updating these pages. As you’ve seen, I’m not taking many photos this time. I’ll be stealing some from the postings of other riders on our WhatsApp group. We’ll see how it goes but I’ll probably be posting in bursts as I can put together blocks of time.

Continue reading “Day 7: Resting in Tucson, Arizona”

75.5 miles, 1894 feet climbed

I use the Epic Ride Weather app preview the conditions each day. With the exception of a light tailwind on the first part of Day 1, it has shown us facing a combination of headwinds and crosswinds. Headwinds were predicted for the entire route today, increasing to 8 mph getting into Tucson. I’m not a big fan of riding in groups/pacelines but tagging along at the end of the faster group helped knock down those headwinds. And they seem to stop every 6 miles or so for a roadside break.

Continue reading “Day 6: Casa Grande to Tucson, Arizona”

72.4 miles, 1636 feet climbed

First rain of the trip towards the end. The spray kicked up by passing trucks was at least as strong as the rain itself. With overcast skies and rain threatening, just a couple of photos.

Continue reading “Day 5: Gila Bend to Casa Grande, Arizona”

88 miles, 1509 feet climbed

18 or so of our miles were again on I-8, still well-paved and remarkably free of exploded tire tread debris. My “recovery” shake today came mid-ride, at Dateland, a date shake, of course. They have other flavors and I think they said their ice cream is made on site. Worth a stop, feed your monster.

Continue reading “Day 4: Welton to Gila Bend, Arizonia”

97.2 miles, 2177 feet climbed

Another hot day at the finish. More time on I-8. Another recovery milkshake. Settling into a pattern, I guess.

Continue reading “Day 3: El Centro, California to Welton, Arizona”