Not so Bad news and some Very Good news

Well, let's start with the ...

Not so Bad news. 

Sebring is out for me this February.   The logistics and cost just don't justify it.  5,000 mile round trip driving (I'd be taking two bikes and lots of gear so onliest way I'd do that is with my trusty Ford Ranger).  Gas, lodging, food, etc., would put it easily into the $3K range.  I can (and will) put that money to much better use in my neck of the woods.

Very Good news:

I'll be getting two `Time' and `Distance' courses measured out here to be considered for official sanctioning for the UMCA.

Time courses can be used for 12 hour and 24 hour events;
Distance courses can be used for 100 mile, 200 mile events. 

The Prescott Cycling Club will be heading up the course measurements and submitting them for sanction and approval.  We're expecting to complete the measurement process within the month and submit the data and materials to UMCA. 

Each course

• Has almost no traffic;
• Few and no intersections;
• Is flat;
• Almost straight as an arrow;
• Has an excellent shoulder (wide, no rumble strip, minimum road debris).

Course # 1:  

• 50 miles: Aguila to Brenda, AZ, on Highway 60.

This course is almost entirely on the RAAM / RAW route.  In the AZ desert, with elevation from to 2160 feet to 1350 feet above sea level.  The temps are what you would expect: 100 - 110 F range 8 months out of the year.  Tolerable the other 4 months.  No snow.  Ever.

Only two or three intersections going west and one intersection coming back east.  All can be navigated well by a crew that drives ahead to make the transit safe and fast.  A few towns (3?) from start to finish on the 50 miles.  Aguila is about 60 miles from Phoenix. 

Course # 2:

• 25 miles: Paulden to Ash Fork, AZ, on Highway 89.

This course is not on the RAAM / RAW route and climbs from 4400 feet to 5100 feet through National Forest on good and well maintained roads.  At these elevations some snow can sometimes be a factor but it is also a more temperate climate all year long.  The thing about the `National Forest,' though, is that the terrain is mostly scrub desert.  No intersections.  Again, this could be both a `time' or `distance' course.  Ash Fork is about 40 miles straight west on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff, AZ.  

The road cycling community in the Prescott area is active 12 months of the year.  And more and more serious cyclists are seeing the terrain and climate as being ideal for training. 

Also, Prescott is considered one of the premier mountain bike locations in the country.  What with the mountains, several National Forests and well maintained roads and trails it is nothing less than a hidden jewel. 

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If Muhammad can't go to the mountain then the mountain will have to come to Muhammad.  

When I consider the time and money I would sacrifice to drive from my house to Sebring ... I'd rather build a Sebring out here. 

You'll be hearing more soon.  Stay tuned.