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LONG DAY. Spent 14.5 hours on the bike today (including stops), covering 220 miles from ElCentro to Wickenburg. Despite the tough day yesterday, I still did not sleep well last night - I rarely do when I start to think ahead about what is in store for the next day. I did a lot of tossing and turning last night and could not get myself calmed down to get any type of restful sleep.
We awoke at about 2:30 to begin preparations for a night time departure through the desert before things really heated up. After getting dressed and packed, I moved the bike out to the parking lot to find other riders busy installing their lights for what would be at least 2 plus hours of riding in darkness before sun up. I was fortunate as I already had my lights installed and ready to go during the day yesterday so as to avoid having to rush to get this done in darkness. Today, I also brought my CamelBak along which would have come in handy in yesterday's heat. The plan was to wear it empty at the start and then begin filling it with ice as the temps rose.
After a quick breakfast, we were off. Today, I decided to take off with the first group, which is usually the fast group, with the idea of getting some quick miles under the belt early. I could then drop back before getting too burned out and still be able to manage the rest of the day more easily. As we left the dark streets of ElCentro, a group of 9-10 riders were proceeding in a fast pace line. This was a bit unnerving, not just because of the darkness, but the local roads were not in great shape so there were regular yells of "hole"! Fortunately nobody fell in one!
Just as we entered ElCentro yesterday, there is a point at which the irrigation and farms end, and everything that lay beyond is dried up and barren. This morning it took probably 25 miles of riding until we reached that point on the outskirts of town. As the roads improved, the pace increased to breakneck speed. While it was easy hanging in the group tucked in the draft, when it came time to pull off the front, I was definitely exerting more energy than I wanted to maintain the pace. We were even working so hard we blew right past the first rest stop of the day. The next would be at mile 40. At our pace, we would be there in and hour and a half.
As we turned back to the east, the glow of the soon to be rising sun could be seen over the mountains which lay ahead. As daylight broke, we reached the Glamis sand dunes. It was absolutely breathtaking watching the sun come up over the dunes. Nothing but sand as far as the eye could see, not even some of the scrub brush we were seeing up to this point. Since everyone was enjoying the sunrise and scenery, and we were about 5 miles from the 40 mile rest stop, our pace line pretty much disintegrated.
After the 40 mile break, which included a second breakfast, I left in a smaller group, with Rob (Minnesota) and Randy (Virginia). We rode the rest of the day together and picked up some others along the way. It was about 60 more miles to Blythe, where we would cross the Colorado River into Arizona. After we left the dunes behind, the terrain got a bit more mountainous again and the grade eased up ever so gently until it descended again just as gently into Blythe. More agriculture again as we entered town.
Before 10:00 we entered Blythe with about 100 miles done for the day. Whew! Just 120 to go! It was back on interstate again for a ways, this time I-10 as we crossed over the Colorado.
While it was warm, in the upper 80s, the direct sun was blocked out by high clouds for most of the day, so it kept riding quite pleasant.
We awoke at about 2:30 to begin preparations for a night time departure through the desert before things really heated up. After getting dressed and packed, I moved the bike out to the parking lot to find other riders busy installing their lights for what would be at least 2 plus hours of riding in darkness before sun up. I was fortunate as I already had my lights installed and ready to go during the day yesterday so as to avoid having to rush to get this done in darkness. Today, I also brought my CamelBak along which would have come in handy in yesterday's heat. The plan was to wear it empty at the start and then begin filling it with ice as the temps rose.
Early Start - 3:00 am
Just as we entered ElCentro yesterday, there is a point at which the irrigation and farms end, and everything that lay beyond is dried up and barren. This morning it took probably 25 miles of riding until we reached that point on the outskirts of town. As the roads improved, the pace increased to breakneck speed. While it was easy hanging in the group tucked in the draft, when it came time to pull off the front, I was definitely exerting more energy than I wanted to maintain the pace. We were even working so hard we blew right past the first rest stop of the day. The next would be at mile 40. At our pace, we would be there in and hour and a half.
As we turned back to the east, the glow of the soon to be rising sun could be seen over the mountains which lay ahead. As daylight broke, we reached the Glamis sand dunes. It was absolutely breathtaking watching the sun come up over the dunes. Nothing but sand as far as the eye could see, not even some of the scrub brush we were seeing up to this point. Since everyone was enjoying the sunrise and scenery, and we were about 5 miles from the 40 mile rest stop, our pace line pretty much disintegrated.
Sun coming up over the Glamis Sand Dunes - Awesome!
After the 40 mile break, which included a second breakfast, I left in a smaller group, with Rob (Minnesota) and Randy (Virginia). We rode the rest of the day together and picked up some others along the way. It was about 60 more miles to Blythe, where we would cross the Colorado River into Arizona. After we left the dunes behind, the terrain got a bit more mountainous again and the grade eased up ever so gently until it descended again just as gently into Blythe. More agriculture again as we entered town.
Rob and Randy - a couple a fungis
Before 10:00 we entered Blythe with about 100 miles done for the day. Whew! Just 120 to go! It was back on interstate again for a ways, this time I-10 as we crossed over the Colorado.
Crossing the Colorado River
Hello Arizona! One State down, 10 to go.
Flat fixing party on I-10
We rode for about 30 miles on interstate before exiting on Highway 60 which we would be on for the rest of the day into Wickenburg. Must have been feeling some tailwind on this section because our group was kicking it up to near 30 in some sections of the interstate. So, for relative reference, those semis only seemed like they were passing us at 50 mph!
Shortly after our exit on Hwy 60, we had our lunch stop for the day at mile 144. Boy were we ready for a break! Brats and chicken wings for lunch today totally hit the spot. Also had the better part of a 2 liter bottle of Big Red, my favorite new pop!
We picked up Lynn (North Carolina) coming out of lunch. I think most of us stayed too long and overate because we all agreed to head out slow to see if we could once again regain our mojo for the final push into Wickenburg.
Later in the day, we rode past a gentleman from Chicago who was on his way back home. Not before riding out to Oregon and down the coast to Mexico. He had been on the road for 6 months and judging by how much stuff he had strapped to his bike, he must have been camping the whole time.
Shortly after our exit on Hwy 60, we had our lunch stop for the day at mile 144. Boy were we ready for a break! Brats and chicken wings for lunch today totally hit the spot. Also had the better part of a 2 liter bottle of Big Red, my favorite new pop!
Kickin back at lunch with only 80 mi to go for the day.
A local uses our bike pump to fill his tire - worked well.
Looking all business after lunch coma wore off.
Randy posing beyond Hope, AZ
I believe "Yer" would have been more grammatically correct.
Later in the day, we rode past a gentleman from Chicago who was on his way back home. Not before riding out to Oregon and down the coast to Mexico. He had been on the road for 6 months and judging by how much stuff he had strapped to his bike, he must have been camping the whole time.
By late afternoon, our ride to Wickenburg seemed to be like it would never end. The road was pretty much a straight shot the whole way, and while the scenery was great, there was not a lot of change in it, so it almost felt like we were going nowhere. By the time we hit the last SAG stop 18 miles from the hotel, everyone was ready for the long day to be over.
Closing moments of a very long day. Whew!
We were treated to a surprise 10 mile downhill into Wickenburg which lifted everyone's spirits. It was easy coasting into town and a real cool hotel which was all "southwestern" looking. Had great Mexican food at a local place across the street.
Tomorrow will be another big day as we head up several mountain passes to the north. Onward to Flagstaff!
Tail wind tomorrow baby!
ReplyDeleteGo Jonny B
Jim H
Ha--Flagstaff is where we had to put in a new battery for the RV!! Hope you don't have that problem--fun to read the blog, Jon, and will check in from time to time!! Have a blast and ride safe... Ginny and Jeff
ReplyDeleteJon -
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing great. You will enjoy the high country of Arizona and New Mexico. Ride safe and revel in the experinece
Bob M.