FORD ARIZONA IRONMAN THIS WEEKEND

As the temperatures edge to about 95 F tomorrow for the Ironman it is tough.
Last year it was so windy.
All week it has been windy but the Heat is almost here.
Yesterday on an easy recovery ride I felt real good!
I think a good nights sleep, great training and diet are putting my Ducks in a row.

Today in a little bit I will take a nice two hour easy ride.
Maybe up into the Hills and around just north of me.
Tomorrow the Pro's go first in the Ironman I think 6:30 AM @ Tempe Towne Lake.
I might go down to watch and shoot some shots @ the swim and transitions.
Or I could help out on a Bike aid station just east of me.
112 miles on the Bike for the Ironman crews, interesting. Then run a marathon.
It will be hot.
Less then two months to Escape.
Time to suffer on some 17 & 18 % grades I know around here.
Also hope to restart my Pool time. I backed off for Tour De Phx.
Two weeks to TTM and my Annual for two days the day after the race.
It is usually hot & windy in Marana for TTM.
And then May 18 th Tempe International Tri.
We get to compete as defending Champs!
Should be interesting.
Hope U all R well.
Bill.

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2008 El Tour De Phoenix is done!

Saturday was the first big open Cycling event of 2008. About 1,300 Cyclists entered overall and about 260 in the 25 mile race.
Starting in the front row I got cut off and stalled as the rider on my right banged wheels as we both slowly clipped in. The leaders were off and gone and I decided to just ride my race leading pack 2.
It was windy and hot but what gets your attention is Usery Pass.
About 11 miles into the race you hit a gradual up hill that runs for 5,600 meters at a 6 plus % grade most of the way.
It gets your attention and slows U down. Add a head wind to the grade and it is not fun!
My right calf and butt felt it and it was not fun!
I tried to relax and just ease uphill sitting in the top twenty!
3.5 miles later U get to the top and begin racing down the other side.
My new bike with the Zipp Wheels is scary fast so I descended just short of a mad man!
Again a head wind and about 4 or 5 sitting on my wheel!
Trying to work with the stronger riders in our group 4 of us rode past the right turn on University.
The cops on the course were Brain Dead and did not signal the turn.
We lost about 5 minutes as we turned just short of an extra mile south of the turn.
Time to play catch up and pass people U were in front of earlier.
I had looked forward to this part of the course because earlier and usually U get an East Tail Wind. I figured I could fly here.
Well I did catching and passing back into a wind.
As I repassed some they hopped on my wheel again and I got to pull them Again!
I didn't realy care because in the Big Triathlons and Time Trials U make your own way.
Probably this was the best part I rode.
At the finish one girl who sat on my wheel for about 10 miles said " You're a strong rider, Do U do Tri's."
Glad someone appreciated my work.
My goal was top 15. So with the several misadventures and no one really to sit on and get pulled I was beat by the final two straight aways. I wound up 30th overall and second in my Age Group.
On to TTM the 27 th in Tucson. I will be more prepared and race better.

But overall it was a good tough effort for the first of the year.

My Bike is Scary Fast with the Zipps.

Thanks Trek and Landis Cyclery.

My Calf and butt survived!