Phoenix - 3/14/08
66.86 miles
418 total
By a funny coincidence, my Middlebury friend, David from Boston, found out yesterday that I was in Wickenburg. He was there just last week on EPA business. He sent me photos of the Hassayumpa River Preserve which was just down the road from our hotel. The preserve was closed but on a whim, I pulled into the rest area near by where they had posted informational signs about the native birds, plants and fish. I finally saw the river a few miles down the road. The first 8 miles were terrible gravel on the side of a 4 lane highway and before too long, I came up to some riders gathered around Jane who had had a flat (hard not to with all that glass and tire shards). Fortunately for me, I jumped on their pace line after the turn onto Route 74 and we booked it down the road together taking turns leading the line. There were glorious cacti all along the road, the big saguaro cactus of various sizes and shapes. I’ve learned that the ones with the most arms are the oldest and some are several hundred years old.
We crossed the Phoenix line about 35 miles into our ride but with still another 30 or so to go to get to the hotel. Phoenix has spread itself way out and we were surrounded by new malls and development of all kinds. As we turned a corner and headed down into Phoenix, I spotted some cactus wearing cups on their tops. Being a curious sort, Jane and I pulled in to a cactus nursery to find out why.
It turns out that they cover the cacti in the winter to protect them from freezing. The cactus should be blooming soon so I hope we’ll get to see some flowers as we go along.
The last part of our ride was really windy. The temps were in the high 90’s but the wind was blowing so strongly I wasn’t aware of the heat until I stopped. The ride in was through strips of development with housing on the side. Several people were headed for the local bike shop, the best one since we left San Diego, but knowing I could be tempted to buy things I don’t really need, I headed out to the pool instead. A few good laps, a dip in the hot tub, a good shower and I’m ready for grilled salmon tonight out by the trailer.
Curves