This is the longest day in the tour at just over 116 miles (too tired to translate to kilometers) and did 4000 feet in elevation. 5 miles in to the ride you cross the Arizona state line where the tradition of the company is to pour sand at each state line so the good fairies look after you and 4 miles after that you start the first 10 mile climb of the day. The first stop of the day was at 23 miles where we stopped just off the I -10 at a gas station to fill up with Gatorade and water. Back on to the I-10 do another 11 miles before we finally get off for good (yeah!). Bad news is that 10 of the 11 miles you climb!!
Once off the I-10 you take State Road 60 to Brenda Arizona which has pretty much closed now that the Snow birds have left for the year! Thankfully the van was there with all kinds of water / Gatorade and snacks. On I-10 we got caught by others in the group and agreed to form a Pace line which probably is the only way we survived the day. As the temperature was getting to 100F we were all dying of thirst and the store 18 miles after the SAG stop had closed. Wendy managed to get water for everyone from a trailer park guy who allowed us to get water from his sink. We made it to the next SAG stop 12 miles later and had all the Gatorade and water and snacks to help us on the way! Once we left there we were treated to 23 miles of false flat which means you are climbing the whole time a 3 or 4 degree climb. This does not sound like much but it is endless! The last SAG of the day was at mile 89 and we were treated to the usual snacks as well as pickles as they are high in sodium! 26 miles left and the first 21 all false flat but what a blessing at the end to have the last 7 miles of the day go downhill!
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