We return to riding with vigor! 3 days of 80 miles each, hours in the saddle. Up before daylight, in after dark. Time is relative. Energy is elusive. The finish remains the finish, although at times that too seems to change.
We started in Tempe, going 80 miles to Globe, AZ. Getting out of Tempe was confusing, San Diego confusing. But once free, we make pretty good tome and miles to Superior. The Superstition Mtns loom in the distance, almost like a forbidden land of enchantment. Sheer sides elongating from the desert floor, the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mine seems to hover along with the mists.
Any illusion of this ride being easy ended in Superior. I refer to the Sixties not going away because we were at mile 60 when we got there. We stayed, and stayed, and stayed in the sixty mile range for hours. We were also still on highway 60 and I felt my age (63) more and more. All 60's.
We were in the White Mountains. They could say White Sheer Cliff Mtns, or White Oh My Mtns, but they seem to feel that simply saying mountains is enough. They are beautiful. You climb, and weave and enjoy. There is a tunnel along the way that is rather interesting. Uphill, of course, just long enough to stay in traffic, no walking room, just turn on your lights and hope. There were two uphill lanes, that helped.
Eventually the cycle computer says 70, gravity says downhill and we're off to Globe, AZ. We went through the town of Miami, self proclaimed center of the copper world. Needless to say there were a lot of mines in the area.
A word on downhills. There is no middle ground hill here. This is not a point of argument. Down beats up, especially after a grueling climb. This one saved me but it was still near dark when we rolled in.
Some pictures
The police telling us to get out if his town! Now! Just some scenes of the ride.
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