Nancy's Travel Journal

This was probably the toughest day I have had so far.  We left Apache Junction around 6:30 AM to beat the heat.  At about mile 18 we began a two-mile climb.  After riding much of the way in my "granny gear", I managed to make it to the top.  At mile 29 we stopped in Superior, AZ at the Buckboard City Restaurant for a second breakfast of French toast.  It is a favorite stop for the bikers who ride the mountain roads around that area.

 That was the fun part!  Then came the major climb(s) of the day and a tunnel.  Some of the grades were at 6% as we climbed to 4777 feet.  In the midst of that came a short dark tunnel, where the SAG escorted us through.  When I was within three miles of the top of the climb, I just gave out of steam.  After finding that there was no phone signal to call the SAG, I decided just to wait and watch major traffic (including big trucks) go by until the SAG came.  I waited and waited and waited, for about 45 minutes, thinking I just could not go any further.  Finally, after a little prayer, I decided that I must keep going.  From somewhere deep inside I found the strength to push on to the top.  There was my reward, a long and beautiful downhill, where I reached a speed on 39.8 mph.  That is both terrifying and thrilling! Lesson learned from this experience…when you feel like you can't go on, just let your body have a complete rest, find a positive mental attitude, say a little prayer and somehow the strength will come.

Finally, arriving in Globe, I was totally exhausted.  After a shower and brief rest, I felt refreshed and ready for our nightly gourmet meal.  Four Canadians cycled into the motel shortly after we arrived.  Of course we invited them for dinner.  They accepted, brought wine AND washed dishes!  What great experiences we are having!

We started out from Wickenburg as soon as it was light enough to ride.  The traffic got heavier as the day progressed.  But, the bike lanes were wide enough for us to feel safe.  We took time out to stop for a few photos, but as traffic got heavier, the photo ops decreased.  Phoenix has really great bike lanes, except where they are closed for repair.  It gets a little scary when there is no shoulder and we share the right lane with BIG trucks.  Even with a temperature of 115 when we arrived, everyone managed to arrive with only some sunburn and fatigue.  Tomorrow we go to Apache Junction, staying in metro Phoenix the whole 50+ miles.  As time goes on, we are all learning to appreciate each other's strengths, while we are all so different.  Each night we talk about "thorns" and "roses" of the day.  The best news of today was that there were no flats!  

My GPS is not working again.  But, Matt continues to work on it.  Stay tuned! 

 Sheffler's Motel-Not exactly AAA

 To my friends at Metter United Methodist Church-I wonder how many folks they can seat in church?

Bronze statue- "Thank God for the Rain" outside the museum in Wickenburg.

3/14/07-We left Blythe, CA, at daybreak, rode three miles to the Colorado River, crossed into Arizona, and began a 30-mile trek on I-10 (legal for bikes here).  It wasn't too bad because there are wide shoulders.  We left I-10 for a brief time in Quartzite, AZ, where Bill and Leon Curry had been in Janaury.  What a fascinating town, with the RVs, souvenir stands and the "interesting" man who operates a bookstore there!.  After a piece of apple pie at Sweet Darlene's, it was back on the interstate for the rest of the 30 miles on I-10.  We took the exit to Brenda and the road became flat and smooth. but the heat was brutal. It is not quite like the heat in Georgia because sweat evaporates.  So you have to be careful and drink lots of water.  We arrived at Sheffler's Motel (definitely not on the AAA list) in Salome, AZ in the early afternoon.  We knew it was different when Sponge Bob (aka the innkeeper) asked if we wanted a remote control for the TV.  At least it was not a tent! 

Today we left Sheffler's around 6:30 AM, a bit cool at 55 degrees.  Stopped at Big Momma's for a second breakfast.  Seems one of the locals there gave us a new name, "Pedal Bunnies".  Along the way we saw pistachio trees and other crops, along with a dead coyote and fresh-killed skunk, accompanied by the appropriate smell.  After about 55 miles, we arrived in Wickenburg, with highlights of great ice cream and a cowboy museum.  Polly would love it.  Tonight our cook treated us to fajitas and polenta (almost like grits, but not quite as good).  Tomorrow we are off to Phoenix. What a great day!