El Tour de Tucson Race Reports

Gary Schobel

Greg Chmelik

Last year was my first time riding in El Tour de Tucson.  I had crashed turning onto Hughes Access so this year I was pretty nervous until I made that corner.  I kept a good amount of space around me until I got past that turn.  After that I was able to mentally settle in and be comfortable getting close enough to draft off other riders.

Last year we did not do the first wash crossing so that was a new experience for me.  I saw an amazing number of full bottles lying around. I figure they got knocked out unnoticed when people had their bikes over their shoulders for the crossing.  Seemed kind of funny at first but then I started thinking about how much that missing bottle could mess up somebody’s race!

Once the turn onto Hughes Access was in the books, I was able to settle in and relax. From there it was steady on and mostly uneventful.  I was able to catch a good group where several people were rotating at the front and taking good pulls. We made it around in a little over four and a half hours -- well within the limit for platinum.

Now I’m in kind of a weird place mentally because the whole reason I started cycling two years ago was to get platinum in El Tour de Tucson. Having been blessed to achieve that goal, I need a new focus to stay motivated. Fortunately, there is a lot to choose from here in the southwest.  Also, as a new member of the IC3 racing team, I can work toward team goals rather than just personal goals. It is going to be a great year!

Michael Hast

I rode the 55 mile event. It was good to see our recreational riders and pray with them before the start. I lined up with friends from the Shootout ride; Big Mike, Lorenzo, Richard, Chris, Conor and Bill. Before the gun went off, I was also able to pray with Conor and Bill, who are not IC3 members, but strong Christian brothers. We decided to put the hammer down up Swan Rd. and up La Canada in order to dwindle down the group to about 15 riders before we got on the Frontage road. That was a success and after Big Mike's unfortunate flat tire we had a group of 13 who were contending for the win. Going down the Frontage road, the participation in the pace line was spotty, as riders tried to save power for the final couple of miles. I attempted a breakaway at the corner of Congress. I was caught by the group just before turning on Grande. I could feel at that time that my leg strength was not the same as when I broke away at the CCCC. Nevertheless, Richard, Lorenzo and I attempted another breakaway on 22nd, just before 6th Ave. On 6th Ave. we were caught by the group and then everyone tried to line up for the final sprint. At that time we encountered a couple of riders from the 104- and 75-mile distance, which interfered with the sprint. I played it safe and didn't go all-out, finishing 7th. I had a safe and blessed ride, all praise be to our Heavenly Father!

Tony Russo

I rode the 104 mile event. Greg and I were starting at the front of gold and  we had two teammates Gary and Jimmy starting at the front in platinum. It has been my goal since I started riding in 2009 to make platinum at this event. In 2012 I crashed hard and was unable to finish and in 2013 I missed it by just 98 seconds. The weather was perfect so I decided to go as hard as I could from the start and see if I could get on Jimmy or Gary’s wheel. It took about 7 minutes but I was able to make it on to Jimmy’s  wheel and the ride was uneventful going into the wash. I dismounted and ran as best I could across the wash but my heart rate was approaching 190 bpm by the time I remounted. I settled into a group about 100 yards back from the lead group and we held that gap most of the way till we got to Kolb (about 23 miles in). By this time we had lost a bit more time on the lead group and our group was down to about 12. We kept a good paceline going all the way to Old Spanish Trail 34 miles in. A larger group caught us and we all merged together for the descent down Freeman Rd. As we got closer to the second wash crossing we still had a large group and I worked my way up front as best I could as I knew I would lose a bit on the steep climb on Snyder Rd. The second wash was in perfect condition and I was able to ride all the way through. My teammate Margo was on the other side with a fresh bottle which I grabbed and then kept going.

Once I got on Sunrise about 50 miles in I started cramping in both my legs. I knew I had probably not taken in enough fluids and electrolytes. I sat in as much as I could and drank a bottle over the next 15 minutes. The cramps continued for the next 15 to 20 miles but started feeling better the closer I got to home.

Our small group of 7 made the turn onto the frontage road but we were all tired and it was hard to hold 18 mph in the headwind. I started doing the math in my head and knew it would be close at this pace. I thought to myself, "not again." I took as long of a pull as I could when it was my turn to try to make up as much time as I could.  After a few miles a larger group caught up with us and I quickly jumped in. We were back up to 20+ mph and I knew I was gonna do it. About 8 miles to go I saw my wife, step daughter and newborn son on the side of the road cheering me on. I was feeling much better and made a good push all the way to the finish. My official time was 4:41:58. I cant wait to ride again with my new IC3 teammates!

Jimmy Davis