Day Six
The morning in Parker, Arizona was clear, bright and chilly—45 degrees, with a forecasted high of 71. Not snowing, like it was back home in Missoula.
Last night I had dinner at the Crossroads Cafe in Parker, Arizona. It was busy, buzzing with happy people, and the burger was great. I decided to go back for breakfast this morning and it just as much fun and the breakfast just as good as dinner. Great start of the day. I'm washed, rested, with clean riding clothes and two meals in my belly from the Crossroads Cafe. Breakfast this morning was certainly calmer here than dinner was. But at 8:11 am the murmur in the restaurant started to swell as people wandered in, so it was time to pack up and go.
In my motel room last night, I pulled everything off the bike and spread it out. Washed my riding gear.
This morning’s repack took quite awhile but it’s a better, tighter fit. Once I get to Tempe for my rest day, I’ll purge those items that seemed like a good idea to bring, but I haven’t used all week. I’ll make a video of what makes the cut and what gets mailed home. I’ll loose more than a few ounces. Sending 2 pounds home means not lugging 2 pounds the remaining 2700 miles. Suddenly, that sounds like a lot of weight to shed before hitting the climbs of the southern Rockies.
Today's ride was a bit shorter, 54 miles to the Salome KOA, sunny skies and a light but slightly on-the-nose wind. I took care of my right leg, moving but not pushing.
Starting off, my front tire was soft but not flat. I decided to pump it up and see how far I get on it. At least I had tires that hold air, but only one patch left and one good spare tube. The next bike shop was Vulture Bicycles in Wickenburg, 109 miles—a two days ride away. Did you know that AAA rescues stranded cyclists, not just stranded motorists? Luckily, I didn’t have to pull out the AAA card.
Yep, I got all the way to Salome without pulling out the pump or a patch. It’ll probably be soft again tomorrow morning but I’ll try the same stunt again and see how far I get. From Salome, Wickenburg is only 54 miles.
Southbound out of Parker on US 95, there was a ton of truck traffic, and every other kind of traffic. A very busy highway. I turned east onto state highway 72, towards Bouse, and so did most of the trucks. At Vicksburg, the trucks turned right towards Interstate 10, and I turned left towards Hope and Salome. Much quieter.
Also at Vicksburg, I saw my first Saguaro cactus. These cacti don’t live in the Mojave Desert, but they do live in the Sonoran Desert. So, I’m in a new desert. At some point the Saguaro will give way to Mesquite, which will mean I’ll be in another desert. Somewhere in between I’ll be in the Gila Mountains. When I’m there, you’ll hear about it.
People are kind, curious and encouraging. I’m mostly alone, but I find good company at every stop. And my body is holding up. Yesterday’s concerns about my right leg seem to have been cured by a good night’s rest and easing off the pedals a bit today. It makes sense that the body needs time to adjust to this work. But it is adjusting.
KOA in Salome, Arizona
Tomorrow: through Wickenburg and on to Morristown and the Hop On In RV Park. It looks like a nice place run by nice folks. But first….
Pizza!!!
I’d love to hear from you. Donate to the ride and send along your words of encouragement and tell me why getting kids outside matters to you.
