Day 1 went very well, as I made it from Oracle jct. to and out of Phoenix in a day. Overall I rode 90mi that day which was a new personal record. That night I pitched my new tarp/tent which I (and mostly my mom)finished hours before leaving. Unfortunately I pitched it far too low to the ground and as a result everything was wet in the morning due to condensation. I enjoyed the ride much more than what I initially expected, as the desert was very green due to the recent storms.
Day 2 was very difficult. Starting from just outside Mesa at about 1200ft, I rode almost all uphill until I got over the 4500ft pass in the late afternoon. I found a great spot just off the road where I was out of view of cars, with a running creek down below. I learned from my previous mistake, and pitched my tarp significantly higher which made for a much more enjoyable morning. Total I rode 40 miles.
Day 3 (today) has also been very strenuous but equally rewarding. I lost the several thousand feet in elevational gain that I conquered the day before, only to climb it again. At about noon I reached Payson at 5000ft, approximately 20mi from where I was camping. I stopped at a small Mexican restaurant and had the best bean burrito of my life. I have a friend in Payson that I will stay with tonight, making today a relatively easy day.
The only thing that stands between me and Show Low at this point is the Mogollon rim, a straight 2500 ft climb. Because it is all uphill, it will surly take me several days. Saturday night, there is supposed to be a storm that will roll through bringing me snow. I'll likely just hunker down and wait it out.
Here are a few pictures of my route, campsites, and my bike on the side of the road
-Andy
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Awesome Andy, glad to see you are able to keep contact while you are out there because I'm sure a ton of us besides me want to get a sort of live hearing of your adventure. Since we didn't get to see you off hopefully we can throw a welcome back party when you get back.
ReplyDeleteWho took the pictures of you?
ReplyDeleteFrom the third picture it looks like he just propped the camera up on something like the next wooden block and set a timer.
ReplyDeleteIncredible.
ReplyDeleteI'm way impressed Andy.
ReplyDeleteNot only am I ridiculously impressed that you have undertaken this adventure, but I am positively floored that you are doing it all with a pack and a one-speed bike! You are a better man than I.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your adventurous spirit! The photos are great, keep them coming (when you are able to get internet again!).
ReplyDeleteAndy,
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Keep the blogs coming, we are all following them.
Carolyn