Thursday, March 5 – Another beautiful morning arrived to greet the campers as we arrived at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center for a 9:30am swim. No pro sightings this morning and the traffic was light at the pool as they prepared the facility to host the Arizona State Swimming Championships starting later in the afternoon through the weekend. This made today’s workout the last workout at the aquatic center and our Friday workout to be held at the Thad Terry Aquatic Center in Tucson. After nearly 4000 yards in the pool we gathered together for a 62 mile ride across Gates Pass and the Saguaro National Park.

Beautiful sunshine bears down on the pool deck on Day 4

Coach Shannon and Curt Haywood enjoy the sunshine before the workout starts

Riders prepare for the 62 mile Gate Pass route with temps heading to close to 80 degrees

Riders await the start of another long day in the saddle

Curt Haywood and Kurt Molter consider a “new” energy source for the ride

Coach Shannon shoots a Arnold pose a top Gates pass

Sadot, Josh and Justin are all smiles a top of Gates Pass

Jaret Johnson celebrates Gates Pass with a Hostess Apple Pie

Coach Shannon and Nate Riggs enjoy a quick stop as they enter the Saguaro National Park

The A Group poses at Saguaro National Park