Day 6: Almost to Phoenix

Day 6 update, ride was on 2/22/2021... no internet that night.

Day 6 is finished with a great camp and interesting scenery.

Day 6 Camp, Sandy showing the finish...

Today started with the sound of Donkey’s.  As soon as the keeper walked out to the yard they started screaming, wanting breakfast.  If was fun to listen too…  Shortly after the Donkey call, the dogs started circling the tent wanting attention.  What a fun place to camp.   Doing some research, we think the animals are Mules.  This does not sound as fun and sleeping with Donkeys.   If anyone really knows, please comment. 

The plan today was to get as close to Phoenix as we could, stay on BLM land and be able to get to the S/E side of the city tomorrow – mission accomplished.  We are camping near Lake Pleasant Regional Park about 30 miles north of Phoenix.  I don’t know what the tall cactus are called but the place is loaded with them.  We took a walk and got up close and personal.   I had no idea they were as tall as they are, I am guessing 20~25 feet.    

Yep... they are tall.

Todays ride finished up Route 60, passing through Wickenburg.  The town looked cool and if you’re going to do this ride, I would suggest timing it to spend a night in town.  Unfortunately for us, this is not the case.  Ride in, take a quick look and continue. 

Todays ride was mostly downhill with the wind either cross wind of slightly behind.  The ride was 58 miles and not very hard.  The worst part is the shoulders of the roads are terrible making for a bumpy ride.  I did have a flat just after I entered Wickenburg about 1.5 hours into the ride.  Luckily it happened right by the CVS Sandy needed to get her meds.  I had access to my pump, food a I dropped on some cool weather gear.  It is great riding with a SAG. 

My 1st Flat...
Will not be the last

Aside for the cactus which I thought was cool the entire ride, the most interesting thing I saw today is the sign below.  In the middle of no where is 453rd Ave.  The picture below shows the intersection, someone is planning well ahead.  If you want to buy some property, the intersection of Route 60 & 453 Ave looks nice.   


In the middle of no where... 
For Sale


The weather today was a perfect riding day.  A bit cool to start off but warmed up nicely.  Being able to drop off my jacket with Sandy made it perfect.  Winds were light and mostly helping.   The ride finished at 80F. 

Today's ride statistics:

Start Time:   9:20AM Mountain Time                    Finish Time:       PM 1:48PM Mountain Time

Elapse Time:    4 Hr. 28 Min                                  Ride Time:    3 Hr.  33 Min

Distance:   58.8 Miles                                             Average Speed:  16.5 mph

Climbing/Descent:   1184/1565 Ft.                        TSS: 94

Average Power:   148 Watts                                   Normalized Power:  161 Watts

Calories:  1861                                                        Ave/Max HR:  119/136bpm

 


Tomorrow is Day 7 and the plan is to get to the S/E side of Phoenix, near Mesa and get a hotel.   Day 8 will be a rest day, so to two nights in a hotel to get a good shower, do wash and sleep in a bed.  Don’t get me wrong, sleeping in Bessy is fine the combination of shower and a mattress sounds good.  Tomorrow will also put us on map 2 of 7 for the ACA Southern Route.  After the rest day, the route has 15K Ft of climbing over 110 miles.  Look for slower progress through this section.  Two days would be good, three is more realistic.  



Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 23, 2021 at 4:32 PM

    Those are saguaro cactuses and are truly amazing! One of the few things I miss from Arizona, that and the warm weather you're experiencing! Enjoy the southwest!
    -Claudio

    ReplyDelete
  2. FishwifeFebruary 23, 2021 at 7:46 PM

    Mules are half donkey, half horse. But Bob and I still don’t know what SAG stands for. Stop and Go??

    ReplyDelete

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