Prescott to Flagstaff leg of training on Sunday, March 21st

This is the Garmin 705 data from the 91 mile, 8,100 feet of climbing ride from Prescott to Flagstaff while in Arizona last week.  I'll have more Garmin data later about the other training rides. 

I uploaded these data to the Garmin Connect online site while in AZ last week.  Brilliantly, I put my Garmin in the duffel bag being shipped home by FedEx and is not expected for the next 3 or 4 days.  So I won't have data for the other training rides until this weekend.
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Below is a link to the actual ride from Prescott to Flagstaff.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/27857918

Here's a Mapquest overview.
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-Vc39syOV
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These are some interesting data from the Garmin for the trip from Prescott to Flagstaff and back:

From Sedona to highest elevation (a few rolling miles with minimal climbs) before Flagstaff:
- 22.29 miles
- 2,709 feet of climbing
- 121.53 feet of climbing per mile

From the bottom of Mt. Mingus (going toward Flagstaff) to the top of Mt. Mingus (Mingus Recreation Area):
- 11.15 miles
- 2,044 feet of climbing
- 183.32 feet of climbing per mile

From Cottonwood to the top of Mt. Mingus (Mingus Recreation Area) on return trip from Flag to Prescott:
- 17.66 miles
- 3,731 feet of climbing
- 211.26 feet of climbing per mile.

The data above support my perception at the time that the return trip from Cottonwood to the top of Mt. Mingus was the most difficult of all three major climbs on the out-and-back from Prescott-Flagstaff-Prescott. (Interestingly, the most demanding of climbs is not on the RAAM/RAW route).

- Dan

Week of Training in Prescott, AZ - March 20 - 27

Monday the 15th I'll be shipping the bike and other gear out to our place in Prescott, AZ.  My wife, Anna, and I will get there on the 19th.  Plan is to assemble the bike and be out on the road the next morning per the training itinerary below:

All training rides will start and end in Prescott at the Safeway parking lot, 450 White Spar Road.

• Saturday (20th), 6AM. South on 89 to Aguila and back; 141 miles; approximately 11 hours. Lights fore and aft advised.
• Sunday (21st), 5AM. North on 89 to Flagstaff and back; 180 miles; approx 14 hours. Lights fore and aft required.
• Tuesday, (23rd), 6AM. South on 89 to Aguila and back; 141 miles; approximately 11 hours. Lights fore and aft advised.
• Wednesday, (24th), 5AM. North on 89 to Flagstaff and back; 180 miles; approx 14 hours. Lights fore and aft required.
• Friday, (26th), 7AM. Skull Valley loop twice: 1) first loop clockwise to Wilhoit; 2) second loop counterclockwise to Skull Valley; 110 miles.
• Saturday, (27th), 7AM. South on 89 to Congress and back; 100 miles.

The week during which I won't have the bike (15th - 19th) I'll be training on the elliptical.  This is an excellent indoor training alternative to the bike and works many of the same muscles. 

Steady on ...

The last few weeks has seen Chicago weather bearable for outdoor training.  Temps in the 20's to 40's.  Got in a 177 mile weekend last week.  Mighty cold and a stiff NE 10- 20 mph wind makes the windchill even colder.  Dressing in layers, sweating and changing into dry clothes, and getting the bike fit for outdoor work slows things down a bit. 

Some shifting problems caused me to recognize the need for a new chain and rear cassette.  Both were worn to a numb and causing problems.

Friday, yesterday, did 4 loops of 26 miles each.  Though the temp was supposed to be in the mid-50's it never got above 44.  The wind was manageable the first 3 loops and then howled in the steady 20 mph ranges.  Just as I finished the last loop it started to rain hard. 

Today I need to get a lot of charting completed for my work as a psychologist.  I need to know that my priority tasks are taken care of before I allow myself to `spin my wheels.' 

Tomorrow the plan is to do another hundred or so.  Temps to be colder and wind stiffer.