Power of Gu

Last night I hurt my shoulder and wrist some as I removed the tire and tube from the bike.I found Rick this morning and he was gracious enough to help me putting on the tire and the tube.

Each day the flat tire team meets at the start and leave the hotel together.

Today was mostly uphill. We bicycled around 5 miles and then for the next 7.3 miles we climbed. It started out as a false flat. Although it looks like you are on flat ground when you look behind you you can see that you are climbing. When I was training , I sometimes biked on Ventura Blvd. I noticed when I went east I was going downhill, but when I was going West it seemed flat. It was similar to that feeling. That continued for awhile until we started a climb. My wide tires enabled me to climb fairly well. That took us into the SAG stop at around mile 24.

Mile 24 to 37 had some small uphills and downhills. It was fun and not too strenuous.

Al Newman from Michigan (Ronda - he is a Wolverine) joined our group today. Al was not feeling well yesterday and was taken to the hospital. Everything checked out fine and Al was at it today. He was no worse for the wear and did well.

Miles 37 - 43 were false flats. There was a "corner" grocery store where we purchased some liquids and sat on the bench outside. We knew that the next 15 miles would be mostly climbing and wanted to rest.

During our rest stop I was speaking with Mack who works with CrossRoads. I was telling him how when I took GU (carbohydrate supplement) my stomach did not feel too good and I crashed as the GU wore off. Mack told me that the benefit is to take it about 5 minutes before you will start an climb. I took the Gu before we started the ascent and I left the rest of the group behind. I kept on looking back, but no one was there. The Power of GU:

After I waited at the 4 mile mark for the rest of the group. There was one more relatively steep climb. Below is a picture after completing that climb.

At around mike 53 we found the elevation.

At around mile 57 we stopped in at a local bike shop. As I needed a tube, I purchased one just in case.

We made it back to the hotel and there were no flats in the group !!!!

Another surprise awaited as we do not leave the hotel until 9:15 tomorrow. Hopefully I can sleep until 7:00.

For anyone posting comments, thanks for your interest. I may not answer, but I am reading them.

Alec mentioned how Burger King helped him through the day yesterday. After our ride I went to Jack ion the Box for the first time in 20 years. It will be the last time.

Wickenburg, AZ - Prescott, AZ

Total Miles 59.746

Ave. MPH 12.2

Actual riding time 4:54:11

Left hotel: 7:15

Arrive hotel: 2:20