Schulte missed Scottsdale but has sight on El Tour: ‘I want to look back and say, it was all worth it’

Ray Schulte is into challenges.

He’s already faced one and has passed it. He’s setting his sights on another in November when he plans to ride in El Tour de Tucson for the first time.

It’ll come about eight months after he suffered a serious bike accident preparing for what would have been his first Tour de Scottsdale.

It took a while, given he had seven cracked ribs and a cracked scapula.

“I was bummed and frustrated,” he said.  “It came about a week before the ride; I was really excited about the ride. I’m just recovering from it now.”

More than seven weeks later, he’s 100 percent ready to get back on his bike, setting his sights on El Tour de Tucson.

“The Tucson race gives me something to shoot for now,” he said.

Slowly, but surely he’ll get ready for what’s ahead. After all, he’s been a longtime cyclist, growing up in New York and riding in and around Central Park.

“I’d ride with all the messenger guys (in New York),” he said, “which was really cool.”

Since moving to Arizona, he’s become a bigger cyclist. So, at the age of 70, decided he wanted to ride in his first big ride.

“For me it’s about getting out and seeing the scenery,” he said. “Getting some exercise in and being able to accomplish things like a 40-mile ride or what ever may be. I just love it out here.”

He was planning on doing the 62-miler in Scottsdale.

He went as far as going to the event just to get a feel for it. He picked up his bib number and it all “felt a little surreal.”

“I thought it would be fun (riding in it); I didn’t plan on setting any records,” he said. “I just wanted to go out there and enjoy the camaraderie, hopefully make a few friends.”

He had set a goal to get it done – and have some fun while doing it.

“Maybe find some riding buddies for later on,” he said.

He’ll restart the plan in the coming days, now t

hat he’s been dubbed healthy enough to get back on the bike after successfully finishing rehabilitation.

Now, comes his next challenge – the 102-miler in El Tour.

“The 60 (miles) was my goal and I thought that was a bit much, but I thought I could handle it,” he said. “Now, after all this, I think I can handle the 100 (miles).

“It’s a challenge to myself …  more of a mindset. It’s for me to say, ‘what happened to me, I’m going to make up for it by doing the 100 miles.’  I want to look back and say, ‘it was all worth it.’”

Having been a marathoner he said he knows how “to pace myself and all that so that’s an advantage,’” he said. “I’m not going to go out there and any world record. I just want to go out there and enjoy myself and finish.”

And, of course, meet some new friends.

“Absolutely,” he said.