Riders wanted by MetroGnome Music & Cycle to Go for El Tour de Tucson

My home store Metrognome Music & Cycle to Go is looking to form a group to do the 55-mile ride at El Tour de Tucson.  The ride is occurring on November 21, 2015 and attracts people from all over the world.  There is a discounted link below for you to sign up with Metrognome.

I won't be able to ride this year, but I've done it in years past and it has always been a great time.  Hope that you can make it out here!

El Tour De Tucson - 55 mile event for folding bikes and friends! View this email in your browser   When: Saturday November 21st Start Time 10:30am Ft. Lowell & Swan Event: El Tour De Tucson 55 mile event Distance: 55 miles Description: It looks like we have a group interested in doing the 55 mile version of El Tour De Tucson!  GET A DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION RATE BY USING OUR SPECIAL REGISTRATION FORM (SEE LINK BELOW)!  This event is open to folding bikes and friends.  The discounted rate for the event is $135 (Reg $160).  Register in our store, or mail / bring your registration form to: El Tour 2609 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716   You need to use this REGISTRATION FORM to get the discount. We will have some longer group rides coming up to help train for the event.  Feel free to forward this on to anyone else you know who may be interested in doing the event.  To be eligible for the discounted rate, payments and applications need to be received by Oct 23rd, 2015.  If you are dropping off the registration at our store make sure it is here by 1:00pm on the 23rd so we can get it down to the office!   About our rides: If you are looking for a casual fun weekend ride, the Metro Gnome Music & Cycle To Go group ride is for you!  These rides will go to various locations around Tucson, and will vary in distance to accommodate riders of all abilities.  These rides are open to all types of bicycles, but are a great chance to try out a folding bike and meet with other folding bike enthusiasts!

Tragedy at El Tour de Tucson

The weather was the worst it's ever been for this year's El Tour de Tucson.  Usually the weather is just about perfect, but this year it rained pretty hard and the temperature was about 50 degreees F.  This was the first year it had ever rained substantially during the 107-mile event.  A number of riders had to be treated for hyperthermia after the race.

In addition, a cyclist was killed in an accident near the end of the race.  John Henderson was struck from behind by a Nissan Leaf.  The incident is still under investigation, but it was believed that the driver had a medical episode that caused him to lose control of the vehicle.  This was especially sad because I have friends who know John well.

Additional info at Tucson Velo.

New GoPro Hero 3, aka How I spent my REI 20% off coupon and dividend

On Friday I went ahead and spent my annual REI 20% off coupon and dividend on one of the new GoPro Hero 3's, black edition (which is the flagship model).

I won't get into too many detail with the specs and such since there are practically an infinite number of sources online that showcase the new features and performance of the Hero 3.  

I will say that the smaller size and lighter weight makes a HUGE difference in the usability of the video I can record.  The following two clips are from GoPros mounted on top of my helmet.  The first video is of the new Hero 3.  The first part of the clip is of me going under a bridge to show how it transitions from light to dark.  The second part of the clip is of me riding on a bumpy road. 

The clip below is of me riding in El Tour on a bumpy road (watching a unicyclist) with the Hero 2.  While not exactly apples to apples with the first clip (different roads), the two roads are similarly bumpy.   You can see and hear the excessive movement of the Hero 2 inside the case in the second clip.  I think the lighter weight and smaller size really helped reduce the rattling.

I am really happy in the improvement in footage I can get with the GoPro Hero 3.  I plan on using it at the Brompton US Championships in Minneapolis this summer!

2012 El Tour de Tucson photos

I ponied up the money and bought the set of photos with me in it for my (and your) enjoyment.  I know being a photog is a tough gig, especially one with approximately 9000 participants in it, so I feel they've earned it.

Walking up to the start area.

The happiness before the pain!

I think this is on Tangerine Road...

Hauling ass down Freeman Road.

Walking through the World Famous Canyon Ranch

Still walking...

High speed corner (well, it's supposed to be high speed).

Silverbell Road sucks! 

Me & my soccer teammate Tyler on my left shoulder.

Passing the Santa Cruz Church.

Thanks Bike Patrol!

Finish line!

Time to celebrate!

111 miles on the B, aka El Tour de Tucson

El Tour de Tucson is the biggest cycling event around these parts, attracting cyclists from all over. The main event is the 111 mile race that runs around the perimeter of town. I've done this ride twice before on a road bike, but of course this year I had to do it on the B!

Let me rewind a couple of days... I was getting flats on both tires a few days before the event (even though I had Flat Attack in the tubes).  I took the rear tire off and for the life of me I couldn't get it back on.  Had to go to the LBS to get it back on with a new tube and sealant.  The front tire went back on just fine.  I also snugged up my headset at BICAS since I could feel it coming loose.

Back to race day...

First of all, the weather could not have been better!  It was overcast all day, and the morning wasn't very cold.  As usual, all the participants were cheery and ready to roll.  I arrived to the starting area around 6:00, about an hour before the start.  I chatted up with a couple of guys who flew in from Kansas City.  I was able to park the B with the rear folded until just before the start.

Parked!

The B ready and waiting and getting some stares.

Riders getting anxious.

The dudes from KC checking their phones.

Testing out Apple's new panoramic feature

Let's go already!

Before I knew it we were off and running. I didn't see any other folding bikes... I did see an unicyclist and three elliptiGO-type bikes, along with a hand full of recumbents and hand-powered cycles.  It was relatively uneventful 100 miles in... I did spontaneously find my soccer teammate about 40 miles in, then we parted ways soon after, then met up again with about 15 miles to go.

Me passing the unicyclist

I was beginning to struggle at about 10 miles from the finish.  I ran out of water in my Camelback hydration pack with about 7 miles to go.  I stopped about 5 miles to go and ate another gel, which in hindsight was a mistake because I didn't have any water to wash it down with.  Another 2 miles down the road my body (and especially my arms) were getting severely tingly and numb...I had to pull over again.  A couple of minutes later a bike patroller stopped, gave me some water, made sure I was ok, and escorted me to the finish.

Crossing the finish line

Many thanks to Bike Patrol #11133, who gave me water and escorted me to the finish.  I made Silver status (under 9 hours) by less than 3 minutes thanks to him.

I was hoping to get some cool acquisition data using the GPS from the iPhone, but it didn't work out... the battery ran out before the finish and my external battery kinda malfunctioned.  Oh well.  Luckily the GoPro just barely hung on long enough to get the finish.

One lesson I learned was to keep eating and drinking!  I ate 3 Clif Bars, 3 Larabars, 2 half-bananas, 7 gels and a handful of pretzels, along with 3.5 Camelback's worth of water and it wasn't enough.  And I know that amount was way more than I had last year.

Healthy post-race meal!