AES: Hot AF Ripsey Loop

 Up next on the Arizona Endurance Series, AES, calendar was Ripsey. The impending forecast wasn't looking favorable as temps were going to be hovering around 100º. We decided it would be wise to cancel the 60 mile option and move the 33 miler up to the 7:30a time slot. I was planning all along to be there since I'm the official Passage Steward for Ripsey with the ATA and I haven't been out there in a while.

My car was reading a pleasant 52º when I arrived at the Kelvin trailhead. Nice. I saw Ian's car, but he had mentioned he planned to roll out sometime around 5a to beat the heat. Matt was there getting things ready to go. He was one of the few riders at the recent West Siiide Series and it appeared it would be just the two of us heading out today. Matt was ready to go at 7:15a, so I told him to take the extra 15 minutes of cool temps and get after it. I followed about 5 minutes later.

This route is a bit of a conundrum for me, I love it, but not stoked on the Florence-Kelvin Hwy climb...which I had just ridden a couple weeks ago during the Queen's Ransom bikepack. It's tough following that event knowing there isn't a glorious SAG stop waiting for you at the top of the 4 1/4 mile climb!! Haha. I swapped out cogs on the singlespeed converting the 30x22 back to 30x20. I was curious to see how I'd fare on the climb as I walked a bunch during the QR. I'm sure the heat played a part, the loaded bike and legs that were on day 4 of the ride. We'll see.

A short climb to get things going. Such a beautiful day to be outside.

There it is, snaking its way up the incline.

I settled into a nice mix of standing to mash the pedals and seated riding. I never really felt like I was struggling on the climb. I passed by my mental checkpoints along the way: wooden powerlines, red tank, high voltage power lines and finally mile marker 24. Less than a mile to the top now!!

So stoked to clean the entire thing. I really wasn't sure I could do it.

Isolation and huge views from here. I wanted to snap a photo earlier of the Apache Kid road sign, but it was missing.

My buddy, Maxwell, recently sent me a link about the Apache Kid Kelvin Grade.Massacre. Interesting history. Such a wild time in the pioneer days.

I was now on a long sustained downhill along the Flo-Kel Hwy, free, easy miles!! I saw someone riding towards me and thought it may be Matt, but it was Ian. His dropper post was beginning to fail and he didn't want to spend a bunch of time on a low seat. I mentioned he could ziptie a stick to the seatpost to keep it up and besides, he was almost to the AZT, hardly any seated pedaling there!! He opted to continue back on the roads. Now it was just Matt and I and I had barely caught a glimpse of him near the top of the Flo-Kel Hwy climb.

Lack of rain meant more sand along Tecolote Ranch Rd. almost all rideable...almost. Following Matt & Ian's tracks for a while.

The remoteness is real out here.

This bit of sand isn't usually rideable. Ripsey Ranch junction and the growth of a new Cottonwood to provide some shade. Great spot for a snack.

I soon linked up with the Arizona Trail, AZT, then made my way up Cougar Hill, walked a couple short bits. This view from the top is worth it.

I love the trail through this section. Long distance views of the Gila River Canyons.

End of the singletrack for a couple of miles. There has to be a singletrack project in the works here. Hmmm.

Looks like a running race is coming next weekend.

Short 2-track climb leads to the Ripsey Wash decent.

At the end of last spring, a professional trail crew was out working the tread in this section. I could tell immediately, better riding surface and the often encroaching vegetation was well off the trail.

These improvements extended all the way down through the multitude of wash crossings. Well done!!

I had planned to top off water here, but there were about 1000 bees all around the barrel. Not worth it.

The Big Hill getting closer as the temps begin to ramp up.

Hedgehog blooms are probably my favorite cactus flower, so vibrant.

I really enjoy the next bit of singletrack that leads into the main Ripsey Wash. There are a few tight switchbacks that I always have fun trying to clean. Today was a good day as I was able to ride the extremely tight righthander on the final descent. Of course I followed that up with a dab on the next left one, which wasn't nearly as tight but I think I went a tad too far on the trail's edge and slid out.

Say whaa?? A public water cache in no man's land. Thank you!! I grabbed a splash so I wouldn't have to ration what I had.

One final easy singletrack section before a moderate sand trap that leads to the climb up the Big Hill.

The grade is a bit too steep for my singlespeed legs, so there was a lot of walking...and a few shade breaks as it was now hovering in the mid-90's.

It wasn't pretty getting here, but it's an all-time classic view. Ripsey Ridgeline in all its glory. Only 5.5 'mostly' downhill miles remaining.

Another cactus favorite, the Fishhook Pincushion.

Ray Mine off in the distance as I near the finish.

Usually those few uphills on the way down don't bother me, but they were rough today in the heat. I was quite glad when I got over the final one and could relax for the home stretch.

I rolled in just before 1:30p and was surprised to see Matt still there. He finished about 50 minutes ahead.

I'm glad I came out and did the ride. Things got hot right about where I expected. It was 100º when I reached the Kelvin trailhead. Time to pack up and head for refreshments in Florence.

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