Back to Fast Meet the Riders Bamacyclist Home

Day 03

Still hot, but a little better

Yesterday Tomorrow

ROUTE: Blythe to Wickenburg AZ

DISTANCE: 117 Miles

TOTAL CLIMBING: 3300 feet

DAILY REPORT:

Our route started out with 20 miles of interstate 10 until Arizona highway 60...one of the loneliest stretches of road on our trip. Hwy 60 took us all the way to the motel after going through a couple of small villages of 20 people or less. There were stretches of road that just disappeared into the horizon out here...and the winds created "mini-tornados" along our path. I warned the riders to not ride into one of the little whirlwinds that would occasionally cross the road...it packs quite a wallop sometimes. You could see them all over the terrain all afternoon. The desert has plenty of dust that can become quite an impressive sight as it rises into the sky...this is as close to a tornado as I care to get.

Today we rode in our second state...Arizona. But we are still in the desert for a few more days. Groups are starting to form as the riders are starting to pair up with others with similar riding styles which both helps us better keep up with them and there's always safety in numbers when they are riding across the desert.

We only had just over 3000 feet of climbing today and most of it was within the first 35 miles as we had two climbs for a total of 16 miles...one 6 miler before Quartzite and another 10 mile climb before our exit at milepost 31. After I-10, we spent the rest of the day on the only road that leads to Wickenburg...Hwy 60. If this stretch of road isn't the most lonely road in America, it ranks right up there with the one that is. It is straight with only one gentle climb to get out of Hope AZ. The riders got a kick out of the sign on the way out of town that read, "You Are Now Beyond Hope." I'm sure many of the riders, or at least their families, would agree that sign really describes our status. The only sign of civilization along this entire stretch is a few small towns to supply support for migrant workers and a few RV parks...why someone would come out here with an RV to settle must really hate the cold northern winters...or there must be one great golf course that sits out of sight from the highway.

The last 50 miles into Wickenburg were simply mind numbing...flat, straight, windy, and dry desert. The sight before us didn't change for over an hour as the arrow straight road just disappeared into the unrelenting desert.

The riding was better today as it was not quite as hot and the terrain wasn't nearly as hilly as yesterday. The riders are looking forward to getting out of this heat...so is the staff. It really beats you down and makes it hard to recover over the long haul...but we see a light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid 70s...hard to believe we'll enjoy climbing. We'll take that anytime over the heat. See you tomorrow.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY
"Did anyone see the 'Welcome to Arizona sign.'" "No, I was looking for it...where was it?" "On the right side of the road just as you entered the state." "Oh...no wonder I didn't see it."	On your mark...get set...
Nothing like ice water to help cool off on a hot day. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but after the initial shock, Jay started acting unusual even for him.	Jay and Sam were finally found...they enjoyed the cool departure from Blythe. Much cooler than the arrival.