March 13, 2018
There is nothing like 84 miles of riding with 9000 feet of hills to climb to make you realize just how tough this group has become. Add to this a complete lack of so much as a pop machine for over 50 of those miles and we are a hard core group of bicyclists.
Our day started early in Mesa with nearly everyone up and gone by 6:20 am. After snaking our way through the outskirts of the metro area, it was on to Usery Pass and our first climb of the day. It was only a small taste of things to come.
The scenery was fantastic being some of the best vistas so far. It almost made up for the body breaking climbs that we made to pay for them.
The high point of my day, literally, came at around 40 miles in. While it was the highest climb of the day; unfortunately, it was not the last. After one more serious climb and a number of lesser ones, we came out of the wilderness and onto the oasis known as Jake’s Corner. After 50 plus dry miles it was nice to be able to bolt down a cold drink or two…or three. From there it was on to Tonto Basin and a well earned night’s sleep.
We are thinking of you and praying for you. It sounds brutal to me
Sounds like a brutal day. Hope that is the hardest day you see on the trip!
See you in Safford on Thursday. Roy and Karen