0ct 6th At last I can get out of Lordsburg, a check on Google earth reveals that I have a long gradual climb of about 2,000 ft before descending into Silver City about 45 miles away, so much for avoiding the hills by going off the ACA map. I'm well organised in the morning for a change and set off at 9.15. The first part of the jouney is a very gradual ascent through the plains, it gets a bit harder as I reach apache mountain, but I am pleased and a little surprised to see the altitude counter on my [View Full Entry]

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Oct 5th Well the thunderstorm did come and from about 4am till 8am the heavens opened, I was dry inside the tent but everything around got a good soaking. By 9 I decided to cancel cycling and take a cabin for $34 and rest till everything was dry. I was reasonably productive changing the rear tyre which had a slow puncture , repairing my yellow sacks which had suffered abraison damage, and finaly sorting out the mattress with a permanent repair. All this and a siesta too ! In Lordsburg there is not much to do , my retiree friends tell [View Full Entry]

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October 4th A reasonable amount of climbing today , about 1500 feet , but gradual and for a change the wind is not my enem , kind of neutral , blowing from the side. the road is good with a wide shoulder though the scenery is a bit monotonous , scrubland with hills in the far distance As its only 36 miles I dont take my usual supplies of liquids and ice, 4 litres of water is sufficient. An uneventful but pleasant journey listening to 'planet' the classic rock channel, there is not so much as a coffee shop on the [View Full Entry]

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Oct 3rd For a change there are clouds , I decide that I am getting too obsesed with early starts and covering miles so taking advantage of the cloudy skies I decide on a leisurely start leaving camp at 9.15, spending time in the library at Safford and starting cycling after mid-day. Its a bit of a worry leaving the ACA well documented route amd not knowing how accomodation will pan out but relying on serendipity puts me in a more relaxed frame of mind. The road to Duncan involves climbing but its gradual and the scenery is right out of [View Full Entry]

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Oct 2nd Up early at 5.30 and away before 8. Its an easy day today, only 33 miles to Safford, quite flat and ther are even a few towns with services on-route so I dont have to stock up with litres of ice and water.I have a coffee in Fort Thomas and notice I need some air in the rear tyre and later that the gears are clunking a bit. Its about time the bike had a service and I can do this at the cycle shop in Safford. I make good time and am in Safford bike shop and internet [View Full Entry]

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Oct 1st I overslept today, meant to get up at six but lay in till six thirty, I'm away by 8.15, the target is Bylas about 40 miles up the road with a halfway stop at Peridot, there is no camping at Bylas but there is nothing beyond for another 35 miles and after yesterday I'm not up for that. Its good cycling, a bit of up and down followed by downhill listening to a definitive collection of Scottish world cup songs, if you thought the famous ones were bad ! Into the San Carlos Apache reservation, I am met with [View Full Entry]

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Sept 30th Up at 6 to try and get away for 7 , I make it for 7.15 as I knew from the forecast the cussed wind is still blowing from the east but Its not so bad over the first 10 miles. Today is a dilema as there is camping 26 miles out in Superior, after a 1,000ft ascent, thereafter no camping or services till Globe, a further 30 miles with a 2,000ft ascent thrown in. To stop after only 26 miles (after a day off) would be a real cop out, so I decide to go for Globe. The [View Full Entry]

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Sept 29 Wow was that a good nights sleep, after camping for 10 days, the luxury of a motel room, air con and bedsheets is a sheer delight. I spend most of the day on the internet, chatting , route planning, and watching cnn where for a change there is actualy breaking news as the worlds financial system goes into convulsions due to the 'bail out plan' failing to be passed. I pay a visit to a gigantic Walmart store where I get some bike stuff , a gel padded seat to help combat saddle sores, some extra inner tubes, and [View Full Entry]

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Sept 28th Sunday morning a good time to negociate central Phoenix , light traffic an all. Once again my early departure is frustrated as there is no one around to give me back my rest-room key deposit. Phoenix is kinda bland but more or less flat. Apache Junction is only 40 miles and I aim to get in early to motel room paradise. Instead of stocking up on water I rely on buying stuff on-route. The first 20 miles are okay with a slight wind against , the next 10 miles are harder as the breeze gets stiffer and the last [View Full Entry]

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Sept 27th My hopes of getting off to a flyer by 7.15 are dashed when I discover the trailer has a flat ( was I riding with that yesterday ?) I change the tube - thankfully I bought a new one in Aguila- and get away at 8.00 as usual. The wind is not against me for a change and over the first 15 miles I am flying , average speed 13mph ! I had a huge energy drink, one litre, and at 10am a small super concentrated energy potion, loads o caffiene! and cover 30 miles by mid- day with [View Full Entry]

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