If I remember the good things about a day, the bad things seem to fade away. By far the best thing about today was lunch. We were in the San Carlos Reservation, in Bylas, AZ and along the side of the road was a stand selling fry bread and tacos. I had stuffed fry bread, stuffed with beef, lettuce, cheese...it was yummy and just the thing after biking 44 miles....
Then the pain started. We were in a beautiful fertile agricultural valley with snow capped Graham Mountain and Turnbull Mountain as a back drop, it was a beautiful site to behold. Flat, what more could a biker want...suddenly there it was a ferocious head wind. We've heard reports of that it was up to 35mph. The rest of the day, 78 miles total, was one of the toughest rides to date. And this on the heels of climbing yesterday. I could barely get off the bike when we arrived at our hotel in Safford. My big sis gave it up about 15 miles out and took a ride in the SAG, again!
The best lunch ever, was followed up by a wonderful dinner by our own chef of grilled salmon, boiled potatoes, lentils and Waldorf salad. So I guess today's post is mostly about food. It's amazing what you can eat when you're expending so much energy.
As always, snug in bed looking forward to tomorrow.......
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Day 10.........upward to Globe
Today was the toughest ride yet, Gold Canyon to Glob, AZ, even moreso than the climb out of San Diego. When I got the adventure cycling maps a few months ago, I showed them to my friend Charlie, and he said that the ride to Globe would be tougher than the inital climbs. Well, he was right. It was a very tough day, not only were there 7% grades for miles and miles, and a tunnel, and beautiful red rocks, there was no shoulder at times and steep drop offs. But I persevered. I rode every inch when others including my sister, chose to hop in the SAG for a few miles. I will admit I was determined to do it, I pulled down deep within and somehow completed the task. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring...not sure my legs will take another day......while it was a comparably short day, my meter read 50 miles, it was hard.
So as usual, here I am, snug in my bed, dreaming of tomorrow and hoping it's easy!
So as usual, here I am, snug in my bed, dreaming of tomorrow and hoping it's easy!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Day 9.....riding with "The Ladies"
Today was a special day on two fronts. First, we left the hotel and started the ride following our cue sheets; after about 17 miles it all looked familiar and I was back riding with "The Ladies" on Invergordon, Mockingbird, and 68th St. I remembered riding those very streets as a newbie, getting my first flat, learning the ropes. Never dreaming that on a day in the not to distant future I would be riding those same roads "across America". It's amazing what can happen in a year.
The treat came, meeting "The Ladies" at the intersection of McDonald and Hayden, there they were, all 25 of them! What a treat to ride with them for a wee bit through the greenbelt to our Woman Tours SAG stop at Jack Rabbit and Hayden. There were hugs and kisses all around. Thanks team for coming out.....it was great to see you all again, I look forward to the day that we can ride, have bagels and just catch up on the adventure.
After our good-byes, we trekked on down the road, crossing and traversing many familiar streets to the far East valley and Gold Canyon where the second treat of the day awaited. This was family night, so not only did I get to see my husband again, but my sister as well. Times with sisters are always great. So, now I've said good-bye all over again, and am feeling a bit blue. The wide expanse of the USA awaits, but leaving family and loved ones is always sad.
Tomorrow another phase of the adventure starts. No more looking forward to home and familiar territory....not to mention a huge climb to the mining town of Globe, AZ. Hope it doesn't snow.
Snug in bed again, ready to rest up for the journey ahead!
The treat came, meeting "The Ladies" at the intersection of McDonald and Hayden, there they were, all 25 of them! What a treat to ride with them for a wee bit through the greenbelt to our Woman Tours SAG stop at Jack Rabbit and Hayden. There were hugs and kisses all around. Thanks team for coming out.....it was great to see you all again, I look forward to the day that we can ride, have bagels and just catch up on the adventure.
After our good-byes, we trekked on down the road, crossing and traversing many familiar streets to the far East valley and Gold Canyon where the second treat of the day awaited. This was family night, so not only did I get to see my husband again, but my sister as well. Times with sisters are always great. So, now I've said good-bye all over again, and am feeling a bit blue. The wide expanse of the USA awaits, but leaving family and loved ones is always sad.
Tomorrow another phase of the adventure starts. No more looking forward to home and familiar territory....not to mention a huge climb to the mining town of Globe, AZ. Hope it doesn't snow.
Snug in bed again, ready to rest up for the journey ahead!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Day 8....back in the valley
As we left from Wickenburg this morning, I anticipated a short easy ride...I had been looking at the elevation maps from Adventure Cycling and assumed a quick down hill ride...boy was I wrong...instead of a straight shot down route 60, we took 74 past Lake Pleasant and then the Carefree Highway....absolutely beautiful views of the greatest state however, lots more climbing than I had anticipated....
Then a stop at a bike shop to get some adjustments and repairs and an proactive change of back tire after observing a slow leak....so a much later arrival at the the hotel...but a shower and a quick clean up...and then my Friends from the neighborhood stopped by and we had a dinner out.....the food and fellowship was great, but the service was terrible...it was good to see my fabulous husband and friends from the 'hood
Today as I was pedaling along, I was thinking about all those early Friday, Saturday, and Sunday rides over the last year, climbing 5th Ave, 17th Ave, 9 mile hill and remembering how I would dream of other roads, roads from San Diego to St. Augustine...and now I'm on those roads. I week down, 7 to go. There are times when I question whether I can make it...and then other days I feel strong and know that I will...
Wonder what tomorrow will bring.....
Then a stop at a bike shop to get some adjustments and repairs and an proactive change of back tire after observing a slow leak....so a much later arrival at the the hotel...but a shower and a quick clean up...and then my Friends from the neighborhood stopped by and we had a dinner out.....the food and fellowship was great, but the service was terrible...it was good to see my fabulous husband and friends from the 'hood
Today as I was pedaling along, I was thinking about all those early Friday, Saturday, and Sunday rides over the last year, climbing 5th Ave, 17th Ave, 9 mile hill and remembering how I would dream of other roads, roads from San Diego to St. Augustine...and now I'm on those roads. I week down, 7 to go. There are times when I question whether I can make it...and then other days I feel strong and know that I will...
Wonder what tomorrow will bring.....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Day 7........first flat
Today was monumental....I had my first flat of the trip. Not bad when you think about it...one week, riding everyday....thankfully a guardian angel came by to change the tire, I helped a wee bit....
We rode from Salome AZ to Wickenburg AZ, and really just more of the same big blue Arizona sky with a back drop of beautiful purple mountains majesty! I saw snow capped mountains in the distance, I assume Mt. Humphrey in Flagstaff, it was beautiful!
It is amazing that now 66 miles is a short day! I got to the hotel in Wickenburg by 3:00pm, what a treat. Time to do laundry check in on the email and just chill.
So, here I am again, snug in bed ready to call it a day.......zzzzzzzzz
We rode from Salome AZ to Wickenburg AZ, and really just more of the same big blue Arizona sky with a back drop of beautiful purple mountains majesty! I saw snow capped mountains in the distance, I assume Mt. Humphrey in Flagstaff, it was beautiful!
It is amazing that now 66 miles is a short day! I got to the hotel in Wickenburg by 3:00pm, what a treat. Time to do laundry check in on the email and just chill.
So, here I am again, snug in bed ready to call it a day.......zzzzzzzzz
Day 6…..sweet home Arizona
We said good-bye to California today. After a short bike ride to the Colorado River, we crossed into sweet home Arizona. Got a chance to ride on I 10 today, which was pretty cool, trucks flying by, lots of debris….but the good news was wide open shoulders and manageable grades.
We then stopped in Quartzite for a break, good coffee and lots of treats at Sweet Brenda’s Bakery, and the sticky buns were good…just the energy we needed to get back on I 10 and head to the exit for Route 60 to the small town of Brenda, AZ where our SAG (support and gear) was waiting with water fill ups and snacks.
After that we continued on Route 60 to the small town of Hope, AZ where we stopped at the Victory Lane Café for Lunch and to just chill….after that it was only 6 miles to our accommodations in Salome, AZ. If you take a moment to Google Salome, AZ you will note that there is one motel, that’s where we are!
It was a beautiful day of riding the vistas of the mountains in the back ground against our fabulous Arizona blue sky, it feel great to be “home”. The ride of 67 miles seemed to just fly by….
We then stopped in Quartzite for a break, good coffee and lots of treats at Sweet Brenda’s Bakery, and the sticky buns were good…just the energy we needed to get back on I 10 and head to the exit for Route 60 to the small town of Brenda, AZ where our SAG (support and gear) was waiting with water fill ups and snacks.
After that we continued on Route 60 to the small town of Hope, AZ where we stopped at the Victory Lane Café for Lunch and to just chill….after that it was only 6 miles to our accommodations in Salome, AZ. If you take a moment to Google Salome, AZ you will note that there is one motel, that’s where we are!
It was a beautiful day of riding the vistas of the mountains in the back ground against our fabulous Arizona blue sky, it feel great to be “home”. The ride of 67 miles seemed to just fly by….
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Day 5 postscript
No internet service at the hotel tomorrow night, don't think I'm saavy enough to post from the blackberry, so.....no update for day 6!
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