After being so excited last night that today would be a shorter ride, the excitement faded fast. We started the day into a headwind and it lasted until about the last eight miles. Add to that some poor roads in a few stretches, and it turned into a pretty hard day. We started with three riders and ended up with seven, as people joined us to take turns pulling into the wind.
I’m beginning to think that my average speed for the day is a better indicator of how hard the day was; it’s either hills, bad roads or head winds. I hope we don’t have too many “combination” days.
We didn’t pass very many photo opportunities, but discovered we missed a few when we were bent over our bikes pedaling our hearts out. I remember looking up at one point and saying, “It’s really green in this part of the desert.”
Our packing lists us told to bring band aids; I thought it was if we had an accident. Little did I know that using hand sanitizer at every SAG stop and before every meal would do so much damage to my hands. Tomorrow I need to buy more band aids. The sun, wind and dryness has also taken a toll on all of our lips.
We did have a light rain this evening. Everyone made it in just as it started to sprinkle. There is also a wedding and reception in the park tonight. I'm hoping it stops raining for their sake. Or maybe not so we can fall asleep sooner than later.
Tomorrow is a rest day…thank goodness.
Stats from the day:
Start city: Gila Bend, AZ
End city: Catalina State Park, Tuscon, AZ
Miles: 55.8
Total miles to date: 462.48
Pedaling time: 4 hours, 43 minutes
Avg. speed: 11.8
Feet climbed: 1,335
Fatigue factor: 8 out of 10 (10 is the worst)
Wind: start: SE 5 mph; end WSW 7 mph
Road condition: 3 out of 5 (1 is the worst); with some very good stretches.
Temperature extremes: 57 at ride start, 74 at ride finish
Sunrise in Casa Grande
Might have to do a "re-take" to get the whole name of the sign in the picture.
My home away from home when we are camping.
