Dolly's Bike Blog

March 18, Globe to Safford, NM

Thank goodness today was less challenging than yesterday – several times my legs reminded me they had worked extra hard yesterday and were not full strength today.

Left Globe via US 60, but quickly transitioned to US 70 where we spent the rest of the day. After just six miles we entered the San Carlos Indian Reservation. For the first 20 miles, it was mostly downhill and we enjoyed every pedal stroke.

Sadly along the route, we saw lots of tossed beer and liquor bottles, also many memorial markers – a very depressed area.

After the early downhill, we had rolling terrain, in many cases cut through the hills.

The sag stop at about 40 miles was in Bylas, and we enjoyed an Indian taco (Indian fry bread with beef taco ingredients).

At Fort Thomas, I stopped at this historical marker honoring Melvin Jones, founder of Lions Clubs International who was born in the area.

Further down the road was another historical marker for the town of Geronimo (no longer evident from the road), in the general area where the medicine man’s descendants lived.

The final miles were flat and we enjoyed a gentle tailwind. Stopped in Pima to have a milk shake at the Taylor Freeze, family owned since 1968. The 10,000 ft mountain in the background is Mount Graham (glad we don’t have to climb any part of it – and yes that is snow, though our temperatures were in the high 70s).

Final sight before entering Safford was this Mormon Temple, quite an impressive building in the middle of the Gila Valley.

My roommate tonight is Julie Martin from Boise, ID. She is one of our sag drivers, taking special care of us when we are on the road. When not biking with us, she is a licensed professional counselor.

Total miles 78, average speed 13.7

Guide Carol warned us last night about the climbs and the lack of shoulders on our route today. I was determined to forge ahead. It was a WONDERFUL day, though the uphills were challenging. As another rider said, “I spent a lot of time with Granny” (the lower gears on the bike).

The road was flat leaving Gold Canyon. We said goodby to the Superstition Mountains (note the hot air balloon descending), and passed by the Renaissance Fair entry gate (thankfully not yet open, but heard the traffic jam was over 20 miles long later in the day).

At mile 12, the first uphill began, two miles up to Gonzalez Pass, elevation about 2,100 feet.

Continuing up, I cycled past the Boyce Thompson State Park Arboretum, knowing I couldn’t explore if I was going to do the day’s mileage. I did stop to use the restroom, and purchased a small guide to the cactuses and flowers of the desert. Beth, shown in this picture, was reading yesterday’s news while waiting for cycling buddy Judy.

At the Buckboard Restaurant in the town of Superior, it was the moment of decision – those not wanting to continue the climb would secure their bikes and be transported in the van to Globe. I wanted to pedal on.

So off I went, after 2 miles encountering the Queen Creek Tunnel. I had 2 flashing lights to be sure the motorists saw me.

The views were spectacular, though I had to use caution as there was little or no shoulder; in most places there was a passing lane on the uphills, so cars, trucks, and motorhomes could merge left and avoid hitting me (also plenty of motorcycles out for Sunday social rides).

After 9 miles of uphill from Superior (notice elevation now 4,000 feet), arrived at Top of the World, to enjoy a nice cold Diet Coke.

After a bit more climbing and a screaming 7 mile downhill, I noticed evidence of a copper mine beside the road. The Bluebird Mine is owned by Freeport McMoRan, which acquired companies that had acquired AMAX back in the 90s. I decided to stop at the Bullion Plaza Museum in Miami (pronounced Mima) to find out more. It was the highlight of my day and of my trip so far! Meet Joe Sanchez, my personal guide to the free museum. He showed me the historic mining artifacts, told me about the ethnic culture of the area, introduced me to Rose Mofford, First Lady Governor of Arizona (1988-1991), and made a contribution to the Leukemia Society. This former postman and mayor of Miami was a delight and so eager to show off his town and the museum.

Finally made it to Globe about 3 pm, wandering through the historic downtown, to discover a mural, sadly fading, showing that Rose Mofford was from Globe, as was George W.P. Hunt, Arizona’s first Governor in 1912.

Dinner tonight was at Irene’s, a local Mexican restaurant – yummy. Guide Linda had been busy all day transporting riders.

My roommate is Jo Lukezic from Florence, CO, a retired Med Tech. She and I rode together coming into Phoenix two hot days ago.

Total 51 miles today, GPS showed 3,858 feet of net ascent!
Maximum speed 38.5 mph, average 9.7 (I can keep the bike upright at 4.1 mph)

March 16, Phoenix to Gold Canyon:

We really were in the greater Phoenix area all day. The morning was pleasant, with light clouds to keep things cool. Warren had decided to ride the first 30 miles with the group, which was a special treat.

We headed east from the hotel, enjoying the urban environment. We biked through Paradise Valley (very upscale), and into Scottsdale. We joined a bike trail paralleling Hayden Road, with ponds created by the Indian Bend Wash. There were also playing fields, including some high school rugby. What a coincidence that my son Tim was refereeing a game back in Indianapolis at the same time. Guess I am just a rugby groupie!

At 30 miles, Warren and I turned west into Mesa, so he could catch the light rail back toward Sun City. He mentioned a nearby Asian market, and I was quickly drawn to explore.

I had to rub the tummy for good luck.

Although tempted, I opted not to buy pig’s snouts for Linda to fix for dinner!

Hated to say goodby to Warren – great that the light rail can accommodate bicycles.

Continued the rest of the ride on my own, enjoying this statue in Mesa.

Mesa is more of a middle class area than those we rode through earlier in the day. As we pedaled east, the road was more ruted, and more trailer homes. But ahead we could see the Superstition Mountains.

Sadly, the final 6 miles of the day was along US 60, partially a freeway, then a divided 4-lane road. The shoulder was fine, and there were few trucks. Several of the cyclists ran into traffic headed to the Renaissance Faire just down the road. The cyclists were moving faster than the car traffic. I only saw some of the “actors” in the hotel corridor.

Our hotel is the Best Western in Gold Canyon, though our itinerary shows Apache Junction.

At dinner we enjoyed the sunset shining on the mountains. We need a good sleep tonight for big climbs to Globe tomorrow.

My roommate tonight is Helen Pagenkopf, from Wisconsin. She is a retired registered financial broker with 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. She has ridden 16 times across Minnesota on the MS TRAM.

My bike is stored in a hotel conference room, so I don’t have the day’s mileage. I do know I have ridden over 500 miles so far, combined cue sheet and ‘bonus’ miles.