March 2012
68 posts
Day 14
Starting elevation: 2900 feet
Ending elevation: 6000 feet
Highest point: 6295 feet
Total climbing elevation: probably over 7500 feet
Miles: 116
Cumulative miles: 662.5
Knowing well that it was going to be a long day of riding, I headed out of Safford at 6:15 ready to be destroyed by the hills/mountains. Once beyond Safford, the views opened up into more desert with less traffic. Then came...
Day 13
Starting elevation: 3500 feet
Ending elevation: 2900 feet
Highest point: 3550 feet
Miles: 77
Cumulative miles: 546.5
After eating a banana and a clif bar, I started on the road toward Safford, AZ at 7:55. I wanted to have a mellow day and not try to rush to the next destination in order to save energy for Thursday, which will be the hardest yet. The first 20 miles were cake. Most of it...
Day 12
Day 12 already?? It seems like just the other day I was stuck freezing in my tent, waiting out that storm. Wow! Time has sure been flying by!
Once again it was an early day on the road. I started out at 7:00 in Tempe near the ASU campus. For several miles the roads stayed within civilization (aka the suburbs). As soon as I passed Apache Junction, I rejoined Route 60 where there was a lot more...
Days 10 & 11
Rest and relaxation days…
Day 9
The day started with my alarm going off at 5:15. Ugh…I did not want to get out of my tempur-pedic bed! But, I finally got myself up because I knew I had a long day of riding ahead of me. Out the door by 6:15, I noticed a text message from my dad. It was a reminder to take a photo of the 911 memorial in Salome. I quickly found the memorial, took the photo and was on my way to Scottsdale.
...
Day 8
Salome, AZ
Population: 2,000+
Elevation: 1,880 feet
I decided to have breakfast at a local Blythe cafe before leaving this morning, which is why I had a late start. With my pancakes, eggs and bacon I also had some coffee and OJ. On the menu, I noticed they offered Buttermilk as a beverage…Do people really drink Buttermilk on its own??! Yuck!
Today’s ride started around 7:30....
Day 7
With the number of miles (90) I had to ride today, I knew it was important to get an early start. I was out just after 7:00 and headed east towards the desert again with the sunrise blinding me. The roads were long and mostly flat. Once beyond the agricultural area, the sand dunes appeared. Scenes from movies like Stargate and Return of the Jedi were filmed here in the Algodones Dunes. I watched...
Day 6
I left Ocotillo with no regrets and was out on the road by 7:45 this morning. It was quite a beautiful day for a ride. The scenery was barren as I was riding into the desert. I was on my way to a town with a population of over 22,000 after leaving one with about 200. For the first half of the ride the road was fairly smooth and comfortable. I passed through the Yuha Desert which was dry and...
Ocotillo Motel
I’m not gonna lie…this place is a complete dump. Was it worth $50 for the night. I don’t care. All I care is that it has a bed and a shower. It will be nice to finally take a shower after 5 days. Ooops! Was that TMI?? Oh well…that’s what happens when your camping and it’s too damn cold to use the campsite showers.
So I found a nice little bar/restaurant here...
Day 5
Made it to Ocotillo, CA. A total of 61 miles covered today. Most of it was uphill, but the final 12 were all downhill. A great reward for a long day! I am starving!! Sad to say there is absolutely nothing here in Ocotillo. The only motel is a trailer park. I think there’s only one restaurant too, and it’s in the only bar in town. Hope I don’t get beaten up. At least I...
