2010 Tour de Safford

Patsy and I went to Safford on Friday afternoon and spent the evening picking up the race packet and getting at least a little familiar with the 66 mile course. The planners had to change the course at the last minute to accommodate concerns from the police. Safford impressed us with its busy and really unexpected vigrance in the midst of a shaky economy.

This was the inaugural presentation for Tour de Safford and we were very impressed by how organized everything was. The entire event encompassed opportunities to run a half marathon, a 5K run/walk, OR a 104 mi, 66 mi or 33 mi bike ride. Also there were really cool classic and race cars on display, aircraft on display, flyovers and lots of other interesting things.

The weather was perfect with a slight wind, cool temps and all the events began like clock work, all starting and finishing at the Safford airport. I didn't get an exact count but the organizers thought that the 104 mi event had around 200 riders and in the 66 mi event we had around 50 riders. I didn't get a count on the 33 mi. The course included extended sections around the Gila River valley, through huge cotton fields and across the flowing Gila River.

PBAA offered a lot of advice and help in setting up this event and actually made it an official training ride for El Tour de Tucson. Beautiful medals and T-shirts were awarded all participants.

IC3 was represented and I wore the colors. They even had a wonderful pre-race prayer during which the person praying mentioned the importance of faith in Jesus our Lord. I finished 22nd with a time of 3:37 in the 66 mi (18.2 avg)

It was a great time and if they do it again next year I would encourage more IC3 folks to participate. It was relatively inexpensive (only $65 for any distance) compared to ETDT.

Now, lets get geared up for our El Tour de Tucson events. We are still looking for helpers at the aid station (contact Martha) and let me know if you can volunteer some time at our Tour Expo booth on Thursday and Friday before the ride.

Jesus is Lord and with Him all things are possible. Blessings,

Todd H.

2010 Cochise County Cycling Classic Support

What an awesome opportunity we had to ride in and support the 2010 Cochise County Cycling Classic. Ray, Nic and I went to Douglas, AZ on a wonderful summer day to setup our IC3 canopy and hand out some delicious and nutritious Recoverite after the racers have finished their rides. Thanks be to Hammer Nutrition for their continued support in this manner.

Jim and Ken raced as Bike Partol in the 45 mile event and if that wasn't enough, afterward they headed over to man the last Ham radio station in support of this event. WOOOHOOO !!! Praises be to our Heavenly Father for such dedicated men. As the word says in James 2:18ff "But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?".

We talked to many riders after their race. The consensus was that the wind was not as bad this year as in previous years. But was it enough to set a new record? Check out the unofficial results posted.