Description: Finished in Globe AZ. Another awesome day although not a lot of miles. Had to stop at 56 miles because the next stop would be another 80 miles away.
I was up early today at 5:45 and hit the buffet breakfast at 6:15. Several plates of pancakes, cereal, OJ, and some coffee filled the tank. I packed my bike up, stopped for some water at the corner gas station, and then started rolling around 7:30 or so. From the beginning, it was a steady 1 to 2 % grade all the way to the base of the first mountain climb. I ripped up Gonzales Pass (only 2,700 ft) without having to punch into the small chain ring (granny gear). From there, a steep downhill into the small town of Superior which did not even look average to me. A quick stop at a gas station for some coffee and some Little Debbie Peanut Butter Sticks recharged the batteries. I looked up the road from the gas station and all I could see was a huge mountain and the smell of burning breaks from everyone coming down in their vehicles. This was not a good sign but Wilson said to not worry about it!. At that point, I took a deep breath and pressed up the mountain which was 6-7% grade for 15+ miles. Not much like this around Raleigh! Half way up, I went through a very narrow tunnel with no shoulder room on the sides. It was tight and I was uncomfortable with my wide load bike as the cars and trucks passed close bye me. Wilson talked me through it. At the summit (4,600 ft) there was a small town called appropriately "Top Of The World". As I started flying down the mountain, I passed 2 other cross country bikers who were climbing up from the other direction. There was a lot of traffic and no shoulders so we only waved hello and kept on moving. I would have liked to talk to the guy as he looked like the lead singer from ZZ Top with a white beard that almost touched his bike top tube! Down I went at a high speed through Miami (not Florida) which is a huge copper and gold mining community. From there it was a 5 mile climb to my stopping point in Globe at a Days Inn. I finished early today just after 2:30. A quick shower and then a big bean and steak burrito (eat your heart out Dayn) meal at the local Mexican joint. The place was recommended by the hotel and it was the best meal all trip from a restaurant. Hard to beat the first 2 dinners I had with the Hashers in San Diego! I am now relaxing in my room planning out the next 4-5 days. Tomorrow will be a long ride with 3 minor climbs. Major climbs across the Continental Divide are just over the horizon with one at over 8,200 ft. Will have to camp at over 5,000 ft on Monday night as there are no hotels on the route.
The bike rode very well with the new bullet proof 100 PSI tires.
Sadly, my MP3 player locked up early today and I had to rely totally on Wilson for entertainment. At the hotel this evening, I jumped onto the Internet and figured out how to fix the player. Rock on!
Good night!
Weather: Another perfect day. Started a little cool and only warmed up to near 60 in the mountain passes. I almost broke a sweat with the climbing for the first time all trip!
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 56 Trip: 516
Total travel time: 7:00 Trip: 55:05
Bike Riding time: 5:19 Trip: 41:58
Avg speed: 10.57 Trip: 12.59
Max speed: 32.36 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 3,513 Trip: 14,398
Avg pedal RPMs: 86 Trip: 87
Avg heart rate: 112 Trip: 119
Max heart rate: 155 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 3,968 Trip: 30,890
Weather Statistics:
High temp 60 Trip: 75
Low temp: 57 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: against - slight breeze with some gusts on the big pass
Total good wind days: 2
Total bad wind days: 6
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 8
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 24
Pints: 2 Trip: 14 - Tim F. Told me 2 pints a day is good for you - said he read it on the Internet:-)
Mood rating (1-10): 10 - I just rolled over the Top Of The World which would put anyone in a great mood.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
OK ESN:0-7458562
This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:33.3937
Longitude:-110.7687
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/29/2008 12:38:40 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.3937,-110.7687&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:33.3937
Longitude:-110.7687
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/29/2008 12:38:40 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.3937,-110.7687&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
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