Comments on: Tucson Bicycle Classic

By: BB

BB — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:42:01 +0000

The McCain Loop was a regular training ride when I lived there for 4 years. THe downhill section is fast, but the hill is steep. The TT bars may help for the downhill rolling portion, if you can stand on the TT bike, might be good to use it.

If the RR is not gates pass or Mt Lemon, the hills are long and steady, not steep. I’ll check out the flyer and try to remember the areas.

The circuit race is fun and even sprinters can do well on the course.

I was actually 10th in the Pro women’s race when the prologue was a 2.1 mile course in 2000 or 2001 (can’t remember) and it was over gates pass…suprised myself and others.

By: JM

JM — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:47:57 +0000

While the TT description sounds like you may want a road bike due to the climb, you definitely DO NOT! THe elevation profile doesn’t do the course justice, and a TT bike is extremely beneficial. Also, the cross winds can be decisive on the circuit race if they are like last year. Don’t know about the road course…different than last year

By: BB

BB — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:27:51 +0000

It is more hilly than San Dimas and there is no crit. Just an FYI.

By: JH

JH — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:57:57 +0000

yeah, it was Garrett Lemire, he was a CAT-3 at the time.
I raced that course 2 years ago and it was an insane switchback descent right after the climb – ala Sea Otter circuit race.

Since then they have changed the course.

By: Dear Crabby

Dear Crabby — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:47:07 +0000

Didn’t a cyclist in the P/1/2/ race get killed on this course?