Up and Down and Up and Down and Up

Apache Junction to Globe Arizona was filled with lots of elevations changes. From what I recall we climbed gradually at first from 1,500 to 2,651 feet at Gonzales Pass, went downhill for a few hundred feet and then climbed 4,600 feet down a long descent about 1000 feet, and then back up another 5 miles to our hotel in Globe, AZ for a total of 56 miles. The challenge, besides the climbs, was going through a tunnel riding the bikes with traffic zooming by. Even though it was a Sunday, there were a lot of motor homes, trucks, motorcycles, and automobile traffic. Three of us went in front of the Woman Tour Van that had their emergency flashers on and proceeded slowly through the tunnel because it was also on an uphill climb. The other tricky part was near the summit where they had cones and sometimes Jersey barriers out for a construction project. Often times there were no shoulders, or they were full of gravel, or signs, or sandbags, so we would HAVE to go on the white line into traffic. One huge over sized truck went by and missed be by inches as I was hanging on to dear life.

Well, we all survived somehow and wish we could have appreciated the beautiful views but I just wanted to get out of that traffic and scary situation. My legs are a little creaky tonight, but my tooth hurts near the front of my mouth. Perhaps I was clenching the teeth going up and down the mountain passes but I fear it may be the start of something else. We were told that most often the group can't go up the pass because it is snowed in. We lucked out today with 65 degree temperatures which felt much warmer on the ascents but much colder on the descents.

What I do remember is the slanted fault lines in the mountains and the various textures and colors. In one section, older flowers from last year swayed 4 to 5 feet in the air from century plants.

At our hotel, I met some real cowboys. One of the older gentlemen was warning/joking that if we heard a lot of noise from a certain room to let him know or the front desk know because there were some fellows that could get a little loud. When his room mate came out, I joked around asking if this was the troublemaker. It wasn't but we got to chatting and they are in the area filming. They are trying to preserve the life,history, and traditions of cowboys for a documentary. I don't know if he was pulling my leg, but one of the men said Tommy Lee Jones was talking on the phone to one of them trying to get in on the project in some manner. The people you meet are so interesting.

So, the two women that I usually travel with goof around on the road thinking of silly things. We were trying to come up with a name for our "group." Tell me what you think of these names: Pedaling Partners, Cyclin'Cystas, or Bag Balm Buddies? Right now bag balm is a "hot commodity" for most of the gal s in our entire group. We'll grease up and be ready for our 83 miles to Safford, AZ tomorrow morning.
Love to all,
Robin