Wow. What a wonderful day cycling. The weather was perfect, the wind was favorable, the road was newly paved, and we climbed all day. Yes, I like climbing. Yes, I am pretty weird in that aspect. State road 89 runs due north out of Wickenburg and slopes up to 4% for the first 16 miles before starting uphill in earnest - 7.3 miles of 6-8% grade. Some of the road looks flat but is actually climbing; Tracy calls these "false flats." My bike computer shows % grade so I'm not fooled by the surroundings. The one and only SAG stop of the day was in Yarnell, home to the nineteen fire fighters who tragically died in a range fire back in 2013. Willie and I stopped at the memorial and Willie ran up to the fire department to shake hands. We were treated to some long descents through Peeples Valley before resuming our climb. We stopped at the last store 15 miles out of Prescott; there were a bunch of bicyclist from the Prescott Bike Club at the store. Daniel, one of the Iron Men was there, too. After a brief rest and snacks, we started the big climb of the day, fifteen miles of up to 8% grade, with false flats and false summits (when you think you're at the top but aren't) thrown in to mess with our minds. Then, the big payoff at the end, five-miles downhill into Prescott.
4:55 hours; 60 miles; 5,262' climbing; 3,313 calories.
We're on our own for dinner tonight and I'm going to find a large prime rib dinner with all the fixings. I earned it.
Saguro cactus
The land rises up to the mountain. The road goes off to the right to climb over the range.
Some of the scenery on the way up the mountain.
Mike S
The Granite Mountain Hot Shots who lost their lives in a fire at Yarnell. Very moving.
Daniel and his little friend. :)
The final climb. That Willie on the right and two other cyclists further down the hill.
The first few days have been kind of tough - you deserved a good day. I remember this day from 09 as one of the best too. Why isn't Daniel in the NBA playoffs - you may be slim but I don't remember you being tiny. Bob
ReplyDeleteGreat pics, Jim. Hope you found that Prime Rib. Best wishes for great weather throughout your trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that the day's ride was a good one! Love the photos (especially of "Daniel and his little friend" - hahahaha). We ride tonight - work to do today. Safe travels tomorrow (and Phoebe approves of the prime rib dinner and thinks that every dinner should be prime rib dinner).
ReplyDeleteHaiku for Prime Rib Dinner
ReplyDeleteby Phoebe
Oh, prime rib dinner
Why aren't you in my belly?
Oh, prime rib dinner!