Check-in will run from 5:45 AM til 7 AM at McDonald Park,
on Harrison north of Catalina Hwy.
GABA is pleased to offer the 16th annual edition of the Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb on
May 9th this year. The road is in great shape and offers one of the finest road
bike rides anywhere in the world. The 4.5% average grade allows for a
challenging ascent without using extremely low gearing, and a descent that
requires little or no braking.
This year, we will have 3 leapfrogging sags covering 4 sag stops with longer
hours. We have recommended start times depending on your average speed to insure
that you'll find the Team at each of the stops. Try to follow these guidelines
if you want support all the way up.
The sag stops schedule is as follows:
Sag 1: Molino Basin 7 to 9:30 AM.
Sag 2: Bear Canyon 8 to 11 AM.
Sag 3: San Pedro Vista 9 to 12 PM.
Sag 4: Loma Linda 10 to 1 PM.
Recommended start times, depending on your average climbing speed, are:
6 AM for 4 MPH; 6:30 AM for 5 MPH; 7 AM for 7 MPH; and 7:30 AM for 9 MPH. If you
average these speeds with these start times and spend 15 minutes at each sag
stop, you'll get to each one during the times they're open. The sags stops are
approximately 6 miles apart.
Fees to cover sag cost is $7 in advance, and $10 on the day of the ride. Our
website, www.bikegaba.org has Registration Forms. Help make our volunteers' job
easier: registeri early.
If you've thought about trying to make it all the way to the top but never have,
this is a great time for a big first attempt. The excellent sag support
eliminates the need for carrying extra food and fluids, and the camaraderie
along the way is a great inspiration. Every year, we've had at least one rider
make it to the top for the first time - it's a worthy achievement!
Optional lunch at Sumerhaven"s Cafés in Summerhaven or at the Iron Door
restaurant (Ski Valley). Count on about $10-15 for lunch depending on your
appetite. Pies at the Mt. Lemmon Café in Summerhaven are always very good.
The descent this year is as sweet as ever, with an almost continuous 21-mile
downhill shot from Bigelow Rd. to the base. Round trip to Ski Valley is 56
miles, with 6,600 feet of elevation gain. Check the weather forecast and be
prepared. Rain is unlikely in early May, but you don't want to be surprised at
8,000 feet. We hope to see you on the ride!
Contact for more info: Judy Bolt, 512-0442, or overnights@bikegaba.org.