Cycling Ellen

60.12 miles today
351 total (more or less as my bike computer is a little off)

Today’s cue sheet was easy to follow. “Turn right out of the hotel onto Route 60. The hotel is on the left at mile 56.7.” Actually, it also had other information but the route was easy – basically one straight long road with a good shoulder, mostly flat, to Wickenburg. Along the side were cacti and an occasional little town. The first stop on the cue sheet was only four miles out but we heard it was a “must see”. It was a little coffee shop filled with antiques and heavily decorated and a sign out front that said “Unforgettable Women” and indeed, before too long it was filled with almost all of us. The coffee was good (I hear) and the laughter filled the place.

Along down the road, the cue sheet said to have another breakfast at Big Mama’s (even though Linda had provided a delicious one at the motel). Many of us were disappointed to ride the 30 miles thinking of bacon and eggs to find it locked up with a foreclosure sign. Good thing I packed my usual PB & J to eat along the way although it just wasn’t quite the same…

The miles flew by until Wickenburg where I stopped to visit the local Curves and send a message to the Brattleboro crew (did you get it?). On the way out, I ran into Mary Kay who has a reputation for scoping out the shops and the local highlights along the way. She stopped into a local dentist’s office for the scoop on the best lunch in town and I tagged along with her back a couple of miles (and downhill at that) to the local country club for a fine lunch outside on their patio looking over the lake and the Arizona greens. It was my first lunch at a country club and probably looked a little out of place there in my bike shorts but we enjoyed it. As we posed for pictures in a golf cart (Ellen in a golf cart?!), we met Dick who asked us about our cycling plans. I’m still not sure he believes that we’re really going to Florida but Mary Kay gave her a card with her website and I hope he checks it out for our own credibility!

Back up the hill and into town, we found the local Chamber of Commerce who steered us to the ice cream shop. A dish of chocolate raspberry almond ice cream and I felt ready to head out of town to our digs for the night. Some women stopped to shop but my bags are heavy enough as it is. I didn’t even seek out a book store (not yet, but you know I will eventually, Janie!).

We’re back in Cyberspace here at the hotel and I loved catching up on email. Tom reminded me that I should mention that I’m not just out here having fun and challenging myself but I’m also fundraising for the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the Brattleboro Music Center. If you’re reading this, consider looking to the right, checking out the information about these organizations and making a donation. Directions are right there. Many thanks to all of you who have (or will) donate. Last I knew I have raised about $6,000 toward my goal of $25,000.

He also said I should show a picture of myself. My kindergartners want to see a picture of a saguaro cactus. Luckily, I have them both in one shot today! Enjoy.