Valley of the Sun 3 day Stage Race, Phoenix, Arizona Feb 11, 12 & 13

The Valley of the Sun bike race is a three-day event in which professional and amateur road racing cyclists of different categories compete for cash and prizes. A stage is held each day consisting of a time trial, a road race and a criterium.
There are over 900 participants in 15 categories of professional and amateur riders, both men and women, ages 10 to over 60. The cyclists that have the lowest cumulative time from the three stages will win in their respective categories.

The first stage was the Individual Time Trial. This stage went on Friday. The course was a 22 km, out and back. Wind was the issue as there was little elevation to contend with. The start was on an elevated platform with racers going every 30 seconds. This was not my first ITT but it was my first using TT bars and set-up. I finished 37th out of 56 in my category, Masters 50. Of the competitors in Masters 50 over the age of 55, I finished 8th out of 16 racers. I had nothing left at the end of the race and felt that I gave what I had to give. The air is so dry in the desert that at the end of the race I felt that my lungs were completely dry. I got a dry cough as a consolation prize. My friend Chuck also had a good race and felt good about his effort.

Saturday was the 62 km Road Race. The course was 50 km south of Phoenix, just north of Casa Grande. It was mostly flat with one long hill, 4 km at an average of 6% grade. The course was 2 1/2 laps with a hilltop finish.

The 50 and 60 Masters groups started as one group, about 76 racers. The course was on a 2 lane road and if you crossed the centre line you got DQ’d so you can imagine the first part of the race was a bit crowed and hectic. My goal was to finish and so I soon found my self comfortably at the back of the peleton. As we rounded the corner to go up the hill for the first time the group split into 2 with the strong riders charging up the hill. Being at the back of the peleton this meant I could choose to stay where I was or chase the lead group. So, I chased. With a tail wind up the hill I was soon hitting 35k. I broke over the hill with one other ride, soon to be joined by one more rider. The 3 of us chased at 60 - 64 kms/hour for about 5 k. Unfortunately my compact crank had me spinning at 110, way more than I can hold for very long. My legs gave out and I had to let the 2 guys chase while I waited for help. Help soon arrived and I joined a group of 8 riders soon to be joined by 12 more. One the second lap up the hill I found myself on the front urging someone to join me in a breakaway. As is often the case in road racing, seldom do you find someone willing to do this. While the pack was more organized than other races I have attended, not everyone was willing to pull or help in any way. These are not club group rides. Given my goal I should have been one of these racers because what happened next was, unfortunate. On the last lap I found myself in the lead out position going into a sharp corner. I went wide to cut the corner but I had too much speed. I hit some very large bumps, lost control and had to overshoot the corner. I ended up in the desert, off my bike and out of the race. Dang! I crashed again. With medical assistance and help from my friends I made it back to Mesa where I sought medical attention. Outcome: Separated AC in my left shoulder, bruised head and another broken helmet. Hey kids, wear your Helmet! I’ll be off my bike for 2 weeks but will then begin training for Sardinia. I’m in race shape and the 2 week layoff will not hurt me. Chuck raced in the Masters 60 group. As a result of a mechanical and muscle issue he had to drop out leaving him also with a DNF.

Dana asked me why I didn’t sit back and just finish, as I had intended to do. I’m not sure what the answer is. It is hard not to get caught up in the excitement or the competition. I was having a good race. 38k average, a lot of it much faster. It is my fault that I did not finish. I should have been more familiar with the course. I should have slowed down for the corner. I’ll have my Trek checked out this week. I seems fine and should be ready to roll in a couple of weeks.

As I had a DNF on the road race I could not, even if I was able, participate in the Crit that went Sunday morning in downtown Phoenix. That would have been a wild race, one that I definitely would have sat in on and not attempted a break.....sure....

I learn from every race. Sometimes it is about the course, the conditions or the competition. This weekend I learned about all of that and also about myself. It seems there is no shortage of people telling me to stop racing. I know that what they are saying is “we are concerned and please be more careful”. I certainly need to do that, but I will not stop racing anytime soon.

For would-be racers I would like to pass along some advice. Learn good race habits. Train hard. Set reasonable goals. Feeling good about your effort will be about as good as it gets. Unless you are very special, winning is not something you will experience in big races. For sure follow your dreams, but please, always wear a helmet.

All but the first picture were taken by Linda Sinclair. Thanks Linda, you are awesome!

The scene at the Individual Time Trial


Chuck ready to race.....


Chuck down the ramp and away.....


Barry ready to go.....


Chuck finishing Time Trial


Barry crossing the finish line


Barry finished the ITT