rough draft

Friday I was due in work at seven hundred hours. I pedaled into work like every other day, yet today I would end up pedaling much farther than normally. Especially since I was headed to globe with out a motor. I arrived work on time as I have the timing of this run down to arrive withing ten minutes. I then finally finished work and was greeted with the warm Arizona sun beaming down on me as I left the building to the bicycle rack. I had on some pants and long sleeve button up shirt, and I really didn't want to cycle too fast and burn up. So I kept the pace comfortable and relaxed. This ride is mostly uneventful for three and half miles. I have a bike blvd I use on the route, so I normally don't mix with cars for eighty percent of the route. I also get to smell the cotton in the fields. The only snow scene I get to seen so far this autumn. I made it home and had to do some errands to get going on my trip. I cycled another six more miles and proceeded to buy carrots, oatmeal cream pies, oatmeal and brown sugar, Ramon noodles 2 , 2 cliff bars, 32 ounce Gatorade, apricots, and 4 liters of water.
I wasn't carry hardly anything at all. Yet I used two panniers as a shelf for my bed roll. I placed my food 3 liters of water, and two tubes in set. In the other I had my rain pants, wool socks, winter gloves, insect replant, sunscreen, toothbrush. In the top part I had my patch kit, multi took, pencil and paper, id and debit, I also put my handlebar bag in the set of panniers since I was not using that.
With everything loaded my friend Rob arrived at my house. We departed shortly after sunset. We headed north on Miller road to eat some Mexican food before the big ride. Julio Gs had great food I got the chance to stuff my face before I am stuck with oatmeal and Ramon for the rest of the trip.
After eating the chicken spinach enchilada we got back on our bikes and forged a path to Fountain Hills Arizona this would be the slow way, yet Rob has never ventured this far on a bicycle nor ventured into the downtown of Fountain Hills not even in his Oldsmobile. After the first time we go up on Arizona SR 87 this allows us to reduce the stoplights, and use a more direct path which chops hours and not so many miles off the trip. Rob would choose the route de facto to come back down into his hometown of Tempe Arizona.
So at one point we had gotten separated after a bad intersection, communication was restored and we met up at One hundred thirty six street and Shea. This is where a Multi use path awaits us for the next mile. After that it was all Shea till Sugurgo blvd. We had one steep grade, which by the Valley standards was big. Not so outside the pancake basin we live in.
We did finally get to the downtown of Fountain Hills to see not one single soul, out on a Friday at midnight. It was rather chilly. So we looked at the tallest waste fountain and headed back. The fountain discharges waster water into the air by evaporation. It was off at this time. We then headed back to Shea, which had less hills than the way into to town. We then went down to SR87 and Rob got his first bike utopia, no stoplights and a wide shoulder.
We then started to freeze by this time the evaperation with the river near by made the air sharp. I had put my winter gear on by this time, yet the wind chill was freezing, we eventually walked our bikes amazingly this was warmer. We past the Casino and walked across Verde River on a bridge, and then rested for 3 hours some where on the Yavapai Indian Reservation . The forty degree temperature swing stung at us all night. It hit the middle forties and we sure felt it. For a brief moment I thought I was on tour in Colorado in the summer time. Upon first sun light I crawled out of my sleeping bag. I had dressed while in my sleeping bag. I was telling myself I am going to bake in a couple hours. This didn't work though and I was still rather cold. After we reached the road, I said my good byes to Rob. He went to the Casino to warm up and then go home. I went northbound to the Four Peaks Wilderness Area mile marker two hundred four. Which was around eight miles. It would take around an hour due to the load and climbing. By that time it was steaming hot with all my gear on so I pulled over to the road to Sugar Loaf, and started to shed my clothes with my cycling shorts underneath. I had a prevent forest fires sign to prop my bike on. Last time it was a don't litter sign with out a trash can. Imagine that It should have said pack it in pack it out.
At that time I was approached by a lady who was doing a photo journalism class for ASU and took my picture. She was kinda annoying directing how to pose and then when I said Ben she continued to ask for a last name. I repeated just Ben thanx. Stating her instructor insist on it.
I then ate some pies, and carrots for breakfast. About this time all the Motorbikes, and the company desert dog come roaring in ready to give tours and play in the wilderness. One person kicked up all this dust with his motor even knowing I am there eating breakfast. I leave after using a restroom.
After positioning the bike on the road I climb the nearest hill northbound. On SR87 I would have five climbs. This hill wasn't too bad since I done most of the climbing back there over my eight mile shoulder I did have small descent before as with most hills. So I had a steep incline with a lazy curve and poof I was on top looking at the rock they had cut away to allow me passage. Slowly I stayed on top for a good three-quarters of a mile. Then I saw with the curve in the road the valley before. I had done this trip before so I knew where the road went to and that a multi mile huge climb awaits for me. But first I had an easy and small climb the smallest of the five. Nevertheless you wouldn't want to go south bound as my descent could have propelled me to the speed limit if I dared. I ddn't and enjoyed all the work I had just done. I think my side might have had more deposits in this valley as the other side was more a shear drop off. Looking back you after pop your ears you can see the road they cut in the hillside. My next small hill was again steep on the other side and I fell much more than I did climb. This hill was rather quick twenty minutes and I was going over the top ready for the brute. The next hill would take around and hour of climbing. It starts out from the basic creek bed and wings you up into the mountains and the you have to pass several more hills withing the Mountains. You seem like you are going to reach the sun with all this climbing. I had been traveling for five hours now and Rob called I was shocked, I had been using my handlebar bag for this portion due to I was using my camera. I heard my phone ring while I was climbing. Since I have my own Lane I just stopped pedaling and scrambled for the phone. I talked with Rob and was happy it didn't take him to long or that he had no problems expect no bus service which was typical for Mesa Arizona.
I continued my climb to the top. This climb takes you to the high desert where there are no Sugugaro cactus basically. You see lots of sage brush and bushes. The next hill I was worried about. This climb would propel me to the Pines. I would climb up to forty five hundred sixty five feet elevation sign. I climbed a little bit and then I went down to the creak bed. I would climb across Whiskey Springs. It consisted of a ramp going into the mountain around the bend were several more bends to climb Ord Mountain. Up reaching the top I had my first flat. I walked to the crest and then on a ridge where cars park I replaced my tire. Some cars went down to Saycaremore creek and the trung of cattle guard roar warned of approaching beasts. A piece of black metal wire had pierced my rubber and infected my tube with a puncture. I replaced it quickly and put it back on. It doesn't matter which tube blows. People try to make conversation saying the back is so hard. Practice makes perfect.
It isn't rocket science. Move the chain to the smallest sprockets front and back. Loosen brake and quick release. I like to either lay the bike on the ground for the next part or swing the back end up in the air to work on. A lady needed coolant for her car. I watched as I passed by thinking I could use some cooling it was roasting out here.
So after a little elbow grease I found a green tarp real light weight and mine. Not soiled looked brand new. I then descended for the next eight miles. Missing the accident scene by screeching on my brakes, avoiding blocks of wood, and someone had changed the oil as I could still see the pan to collect it in my lane. Not to mention all the derbies on this road. I finally made it down with out melting my brakes. I then of course would have my last climb of the day. Nothing to hard it took about forty five minutes nice and graded. I always like this portion of the ride. Since the hill behind you is covered with green from elevation. At the end of the fourth hill there is the first shade you can find off the highway. Yes for thrity five miles shade a perfect house. There is a huge culvert which a semi could drive through. It is so nice a cool there I stayed there a hour and half. Remembering I had just taken eight hours to get here. I drank the Gatorade, and then made some Ramon noodles in the empty container. I took off for the rest stop where, water, and a bathroom await. As soon as I made it to the wood pile my bike burst another tire. I am not sure what caused it. I did replace it with my last tube. Should I turn back? Climb up those hills and return to safety? No way I have patches for the last one hundred and fifty miles. I climbed the hill and watched as the once towering electrical lines soon became something I looked high upon. Barely visible as though they were getting eaten up by the ground. This hill is great since I go up the non steep side. On the other side cars are doing switch backs. At the top the wind roars and it is great to sit on top and let in blow your mind. Also looking down on the valley below is not all that bad. Upon looking out you see the ridge line I will be following once I get onto Arizona state route 188, I had never been down this road so I was looking for a change even if it meant the unknown. I cycled successfully down to the bottom and made it to the rest stop which I got my first glimpse after the first set of bends in the road. After navigating the ridiculous rest stop I rested for an hour, relaxed, did some stretching, and of course ate.
It had already gotten dark and now it was getting cold I had the sunset on top of the hill. The cold is relative to what temperatures you are use to. Since it had been above 90 for the last several months sixties felt cold if not for the warmer gear I think I would have been uncomfortable. I strapped on the rain pants got the gloves ready, and adorned the jacket. The forty degree temperature swings last night were a shock, yet it didn't last long. Before the swing tonight I was in my sleeping bag on level ground. I had started out on SR188 a nice wide shoulder, which was eaten up by old pavement and layered with new stuff. I mixed between the new and the old and drove rather slow. It was nice to be dropping all the elevation I climbed today. I could strip away some more millage all the while coasting. I past Jake's corner which is a Saloon, store, and RV camping place. I had food, and this place was surrounded by free camping. I rode on. It was a little oasis. Already I could tell this was the populated side of the triangle. SR188 and SR87 form the two sided triangle. Which SR 88 completes the bottom piece. SR 88 is twenty-two miles of gravel. Hence riding the long way up the triangle and back down the triangle to SR88. Of course then continuing on to US route 60 which creates its own triangle.
My first day on the SR 87 has a hard time even giving out water whether filtered or from a source. I had not seen one creek with water on my way up. Last time I cycled this route I had at least two choices and they looked nasty. There was a windmill which someone left on. I didn't want any thorns going near my tires so I kept on the path. Or I would have turned off the windmill.
So I passed Jake's and another Forrest road which I could have slept at. I wanted to get closer to Punkin center. Not to close though. So after they cut through the hill, and I slid down the six percent grade, there was a road waiting for me about three miles from the Punkin center. I didn't know that though until I saw the sign the next day. The reason I stopped was level ground and right off the road. I was exhausted. This was the spot to rest no need to even argue about more miles. I did a great job through out the trip sticking to sixty miles. Seemed like every overnight stop was sixty miles from my destination even though I had no idea where I was sleeping. I was sixty miles from a hill which I would sleep on Sunday. Saturday's night traffic winded down. I slept off the thirteen hours of cycling. What I had started at midnight was over at twenty one hundred hours. Relax don't set that alarm.
I rolled off the shoulder and walked my bike over the cattle guard. My bike settled to the ground, and I got out my light, cell phone, and sleeping bag. I was asleep in a hurry I don't even remember looking at the stars for to long. These jets either coming into Phoenix or Tucson which made this really neat supersonic sound as they slowed down from the six hundred miles an hour. A few to remind me I was still alive in a world.
The next day I was up I didn't bother to set the alarm I wanted a good night sleep and waking up at seven hundred hours was good enough for me. Quickly I took inventory of my body while doing some stretches. Good nothing sore at all. I was amazed I thought for sure I would be sore, since last night I became sore and need no argument to sleep it off.
I never eat right away in the morning a habit I created since I didn't want to leave food traces for any animals. I found a scenic over look to eat about four hours down the road. My camera broke on me as I tried to take pictures. So another cycling trip is due to take some pictures nothing wrong with that. I was out in the middle of nowhere life was great. I had cell phone reception I was shocked again as I almost didn't even check. I talked with friend and received some encouragement. Upon ending my conversation a couple had cycled up to the forest road entrance. I talked with them. They were from the Netherlands. They had cycled from Alaska to Mexico taking all the back roads they could. The couple started in July it was the end of October. They slept at Jake's corner and wanted to know why there was so much traffic. I explained the remote place and only a few roads go anywhere. They were headed the same direction as me into globe. I told them everyone headed southeast is using this road.
They headed out as I got my load back on my bike. They had a lot more weight and I didn't want tour with them. I did pass them one more time, the guy got a flat tire on his front. They had 26 inch mountain bike tires and found a piewsata tube. I declined to take it even though I had gone through all my tubes. I still had a patch kit and all my tubes So I declined yet I should have taken the tube. I had reached the Punkin center which was a cafe and car repair. I then entered Tonto Basin. Which was more rolling hills than a basin. Yet looking down from Mountain I climbed yes it is a basin with a huge lake.
It was a regular town known spread out. Still lacking any thing outside food, drink, gas, and repairs. There was a town center I saw so there could have been more. It was rather remote still. The gas stations had satellite toilets. I moved onto the lake. Roosevelt lake is a damed reserve of h2o, but still the blue lake stuck right in the middle of the desert is out of this world. Because of the temperature and low desert even with the lake very little of anything grew here. I eventually made it the twenty miles of riding along the edge of the lake and cliffs, and came across the dam. First I had to pass over the Sacryomre creek which made this three times. This creek would be a raging river if you saw the canyons it created. So passing this little creek took massive bridges and massive climbing. This crossing however went to the lake which SR 188 skirts to the side of the lake. So only a massive bridge and small hill up to cross the creek. I saw some people lighting fires in the now empty washes. Making a camp of it.
The steel arch bridge is a super structure. While riding across southbound you can look over your should and look at the dam. Roosevelt dam a brick masonry dam topped with some concrete. The lake is pretty high up and I only say the concrete. Crossing a bridge on a bicycle is a powerful experience. This would be a massive undertaking with out it. The view on top of the water is stupendous. Before and after the bridge the route is craved out of the hillside and then cliff. Making the journey on bike you see above you the feat of engineering all around you. Taking the lane is required here as the cliff wall pushes out to the road and the guard rail takes the shoulder. The guard rests along the cliff wall as to hold up it up or keep the cliff in line. Traffic was light and the sun is hot. I start some small hills and got through them with out ease. The lake started taking on this far from swimming look.
I reach mile marker two hundred and forty. The Tonto National Monument. I stop by the scenic over look and marveled at what I just rode through. Not to mention the blue jewel, stuck between the cactus and sand. Pink rustic cliffs on other side of the lake. I ate breakfast consisting of oatmeal and oatmeal pies in the noonday sun on Sunday.. I was ready for more climbing and now could see the hill. I had been cycling for the last four hours and acquired thirty miles for the effort. The sunscreen was on before eight hundred hours. I refilled my water bottle and reapplied more sunscreen. I carry a three liter jug in my panniers and a liter up front. I headed back out on the road. I could see the climb a massive climb back up to three thousand eight hundred and eight-three feet. I would pass SR 288 which leads to Young Arizona. Someone didn't make the turn on this T intersection and crashed into the guard rail which then goes off the vertical angled hill. The guard rail worked this time and I dodge plastic pieces..
I climbed and passed over Queen creek for the first time. A massive gully which was completely dry. I would go from one guard rail to another which could be up to a mile long at times with out stopping. I would stop in between where there was space to get off the road and rest for a spell. I had to refill my water bottle with all this climbing. Looking back was the only encouragement I needed elevation would be great now in the sun.
A convertible couple rang out “You can do it” and “Don't stop now”. I stopped shortly after to rest it was the first part of the hill. I would spend two hours on this hill only to reach the elevation sign and plunge down the other side. I didn't get to far, because I had to climb back up. I was eighteen miles from junction sixty My last highway. I found my last forest road before entering private land around the fifteen mile marker. The road continued to snake around the at the base of the cliff which overlooked the valley to the left. The road eventually turned into a four lane road with a shoulder for the last five miles. Junction sixty met me with a stop light. The first stop light I saw in one hundred and twenty miles. I was now taking the lane as the shoulder gave way to a right turn lane.
I turned onto US Hwy 60 and found my next stop. I went to the fast food for lunch, and relieved myself. There was a old guy sitting on the bench by my bike. I like to think of him as a security guard I guess. He had some drool or something gathering on his shirt. If it was for the Arizona Diamond backs polo shirt I could have sworn I was not in Arizona. He wanted me to buy him a forty ounce. I don't drink alcohol so I declined.
This was a mining town and the tailons made this mountain behind me was proof of this. I was headed to Miami Arizona, there was no beach only a sand box. I stopped at the roadside park and ate my food. Trying hard to not look at the mountain behind me. I got back on the bicycle and headed out. Outside of Miami finally and I was no climbing on my shoulder a massive hill. The artificial mountain gave way to uplifted volcanic tuff. The town sits at thirty four hundred feet and I get to climb up to forty six hundred feet. It was getting dark and this hills shoulder gave way two a passing lane. Cars were going way to fast for the wagon road. Sight lines made passing me difficult since you had very little time to see me. After about an hour of almost dying. I found a forest road on top of the hill. Yes exactly sixty miles to my house.
I bedded down on angled sandy wash. The stars were unreal. I saw a box, pentagon, and a crab. I had cycled another sixty miles. Tomorrow I would have success. It had warmed up considerably from Friday. The night even allowed for midnight stroll. I walked along the forest road which resemble more of a wash. Leading down to the edge of the cliff. I stared at the mining operation from above. With its lights beaming away and the tucks ascending. I felt small and humble from this bicycle ride.
I set my alarm before I went to bed three hundred hours comes fast. I wanted to get on the road before anyone else. I awoke with the help of the alarm and got on my bicycle for another bit of madness. It didn't take long to make it to the top of my climb. I was almost there. Yet at night a road with out a trespass sign is a nice place to stop. Not knowing when I will see one of those again helps the turn off.
I climbed another very small hill after the first climb, and found several derelict business at the forty six hundred elevation sign. I also crossed into Pinal county at the same time. This area is rather strange Oak trees are abound here. Making this area extremely rare indeed. I myself enjoying a three foot shoulder with rumble strip and which goes to none. My gear fell off once and I had to fix it around a corner on a shoulder at least. I took the lane for a good chunk of this ride and patients was key here. People didn't care and were passing on the oncoming passing lane yikes. I was trying to fly down the hill as fast as I could at night. The tar was smooth and debris free. I think I surprised most of them at thirty five mph plus speed; however on a fifty five mph speed limit road I was still slow. The sun was rising now yet I was sheltered in th from the hills. At some points I crawled on the shoulder dodging various flat tire reminders. It took awhile to get to Oak flats. Which looked like a truck stop with out the gas. I was headed down the canyon oh yea. You wind down this huge gorge which is made by queen creek. I started the descent and soon reached the Queen creek tunnel.
The tunnel had three lanes and a very small area for pedestrians, the upslope wind was pushing me back so hard I lost twenty-five mph in about ten feet, not to mention almost falling off my bike by the blatant draft. I finally made into the tunnel after pedaling way to hard on the steep downhill. The tunnel then sucks you in and weeeeee it was bright and steep. I would not want to to do this any other way. Although they did have a passing lane and some what of a shoulder going up the groge. There was a traffic backup behind me so when I made it through the tunnel I pulled off to the safety ramp. Which left a nice little area to rest and see if any traffic would come out of the tunnel. Also I could gaze at the tunnel in awe. Sure enough a semi was plugging the lane, and fifteen cars came out of the tunnel. I then took off on the short descent. I would not go the way of the Apache tears; however I would survive the plunge. I crossed a massive bridge and found the town of Superior right there wanting at twenty eight hundred feet. It was all down hill from here only another fifty more miles. I throttled back the bicycle and stopped into the rest stop outside the town of Superior. “Its closed, the rest stop is closed” “OK thank you” “The bathroom is closed, you can't go in there.” “OK I just want a sip of water” Ten minutes later: “You can't stay here long” I had eaten my apricots and was waiting for the sunrise. Looking at the Apache Tears wall. I exclaimed “They have picnic tables.” You can't stay here too long.” There were no rules anywhere I could see. “Too long” means nothing to me. I then made her boil over as I unrolled my tarp and sleeping bag. Remember it fell while going down the hill.. I wanted to re secured my load. She settled back to a simmer after I told her all my actions. By that time I engulfed a cliff chocolate cliff bar and had my gear back on the bicycle. I left and she stated it “It is open now” Keep in mind several cars pulled up and she would stammer out “we're closed we're closed” the cars would back away and drive away. I can understand if you want to close off a restroom to clean it. But you don't close off the whole rest area and then tell people we are closed. People can do many things at a rest stop like use one of there picnic tables. I have only seen signs that include a time say six hours or eight on the interstate. At any rate I cycled on.
I had some food in me, sunscreen on my face, and the sun was rising fast. The hill allowed for prolonged shadow form the sun. The town of Superior had several towns film their and is a rahter big mining town that survived the boom and bust years. Pickets Post sits outside the town and apache tears cliff appears in the back ground. You look down on the basin below. The sun didn't catch up to me until farther down the road. They had a really bad shoulder and I manage to stay upright on a one foot dip. I was going slow already but still I couldn't wait for construction. I started to see it and how the motorist had nice glass surface while I chugged along.
When I got to the zone the construction was completed for the most part I had nice smooth pavement. The company was still working on it and I needed to take a lane to pass the vehicles. It was now four lanes all the way to superior. Superstitions Vista is going to be built up out here. Soon this whole valley up to the National Forest will be houses. A million people will be to the south of here. I really want to climb Pickets post. A forty seven hundred foot peak. One day it is only fifty miles and you can sleep in the National Forest. I was beaming at the third time I crossed the Queen creek. A wash which looked a miner had taken all the gold and left the river rock. I bunny hopped over the eight inch gap meeting the bridge. I rode down to the junction of SR79 to Tucson. I would be taking that on Thanksgiving day hopefully.
The shoulder was really bad at this point. I slowed to a three mile an hour crawl. Bump Bump Bump every five feet. It would shake everything on the bike. Although the while people on the road went freely by. I at this point received my third flat tire. I tore of the front tire and placed a patch where the wire fragment tore through a hole and punctured my tire. I sat there and replaced my tire in twenty minutes I am fast like that. I got back on for the bumps which start mile marker two hundred and four and move through to two hundred. I got off there and took South Mountain View Road and headed northbound I crossed many of washes as I marveled at the composite volcano the Superstitions Mountains. I then started to see famous roads like Broadway made it all the way out here. I was still some thirty miles from my house. I found Superstitions Blvd and turn east. This became University in Mesa Arizona.
I crossed over Apache Junction with its Pinal county islands. I then made it into Mesa finally which contained a bike lane and then no bike lane. Finally after a small shoulder on the outside I took Horne northbound. A nice collector street with a proper bike lane. After crossing a couple canals and a botanical garden run by the city of Mesa I took Mckelps eastbound. I would ride over the Salt River to top off my adventure. And there I was in the wash of the river. I continued on the Pima/Salt River Indians land and made it home. After spending six hours in the saddle. I got off and found a nice place to sleep right after the shower. Incredible ride which is really fun.
My list contained Maintenance two tubes and patch kit, multi kit, levers. Food: carrots, thirty-two ounce Gatorade, Ramon noodles, apricots, two Cliff bars, oat meal pies, oatmeal, and water. I stopped off and had dinner on Sunday. Clothes: rain pants, light jacket with liner, winter gloves , wool socks, dress socks, t shirt, reflective vest, bandanna, cycling shoes, and cycling shorts. Persoanl: id+debit, pencil, and paper, camera, and phone.