Phoenix to Apache Junction

Not much to report on today. We just made our way around the eastern edge of the greater Phoenix area. We are now staying near the Superstion Mountains, and tomorrow we have a 4000 ft climb up to Globe,AZ.

We haad a lovely few miles today on a bike path thru a lovely park with lakes and ball fields, etc.  The most surprising thing spotted today was a multiplex outdoor movie theater with 5 screens.

We,re back on route 60 tomorrow which is the route that was so unpleasant on Friday and again today for 6 miles.  I'm hoping that  on Sunday there will be less traffic.

Not    to be too negative, let me note that I am sitting out on our balcony  in lovely 70 degree weather while writing this.

Wickenberg to Phoenix

We started the day with news of the  earthquakes and tsuamiin Japan and ended it with TV news reporting on the disaster.  So difficult to imagine and so different from our day.

For me this was not one of our better days.  We rode with heavy traffic the entire 67 mi day, much of it on rough shoulders. But there was lots to look at--a group of road runners, large stands of saguaro, flowers along the roadside, and mountains.

We started the day with sunrise and my hands were numb for the first half hour.  But once the sun got up in the sky it warmed quickly.  This unremitting sunshine with 80+ temperatures is getting to me!

Wish I could show you the photo of the doggie school bus.

March 10

I seem to  be having trouble with this blog. The one I posted for the 4th and 5th days seems to have disappeared into the ether.  The key event for the 4th day was a 7 mile ride thru a sand dunes area with a 30 mi cross wind driving sand at us.  It was great and the dunes were lovely.

The 5th day was a  rest day in Blythe, CA, near the border with Arizona.

The last 2 days we have been riding across the Arizona desert. Visually wonderful--mountains surrounding us and the desert  surprisingly varied. Lots of saguaro and other cacti. And unexpected things along the way like the stack of 8 dinner plates along the roadside today.  There are also ranches with cattle grazing in the desrt where it seems impossible to me that they could find enough  to sustain life.

Days 4/5

Another great experience! We rode 7 miles thru the Imperial Sand Dunes rec area with a 30 mph crosswind, sand stinging our arms and legs and getting into our eyes and mouths.  But it was great! I would have loved to stop and explore but it didn't seem like a good idea with the wind.

I rode 83 miles which isa new one-day record for me but i'm not sure it should count since we had strong tailwind and flat terrain most of  the way.

we spent today in Blythe, CA, resting and cleaning the sand off every part of our bikes. Visited  the historical museum here in Blythe asnd learned a bit about the agricultural history of area. They have been raising large amounts of cotton here since the early 1900s.

Tomorrow we cross the Colorado river into Arizona.

Day 3 D

What a ride today!  We started with a few miles of uphill to around 4000 ft.  Then we had 10 mile downhill on the shoulder of I-8. Wetwisted and turned thru mountains that were basically piles of boulders with sand and with winds buffeting us from different directions.  Really exilerating.  In constrast we then had a 20+ mile nearly flat ride across the Yuha desert below sea level.  Got to see the Border Guard patrolling by pickup and helicopter but didn' spot any illegals.  In fact almost nothing was moving in that heat except us silly cyclists. We finished the  day riding thru the Imperial Valley where they are using scarce water resources to grow hhay in the desert. i'm beat and dubious about the 89 mile ride tommorrow.  maybe I'll ride the sag wagon part way.

Day 2

Whew what a day!  We climbed up over 4000 ft then had a screaming downhill just so we could climb back up to 3890 ft. But I did it!  We're spending the night at Jacumba, CA, which is right   down on the border with Mexico.  As we rode into townn we had a good view of the bbbbbbborder fence which has been erected over the past decade. I had hoped to add some pictures but that will have to wait until i have access to a computer.

Having a great time--friendly people, good food, comfortable beds--what more could one ask? And tommorrow it's mostly downhill or   flat. Woohee!

Day 1 D

We started this morning from Dog Beach on the Pacific and headed up to Alpine at an elevation of 2000 ft. A surprisingly easy ride because the grades were gentle tho the hills were long.  Once out of San Diego. the scenry was rugged but not very attractive.  There a lot of flowers in bloom. and was nice after so much winter back home.  Tommorrow is more uphill. then on Sunday we drop down to below sea level and begin our desert experience.