March 14

From Gold Canyon to Globea, AZ
58.6 mi.
time: 5:19:53
Globe: 4192 ft elevation


I did it!!!! I rode the whole way.  I'm so grateful for having training with the Wednesday VBC Earthquake ride so that I could ride those hills.  I just kept thinking about going up Fruit Valley Road...over and over and over again.  3879 ft Elevation gain.  Miserable riding environment with tons of traffic, rude drivers...2 lanes with no cars in sight and they stay in right lane without moving an inch to the left.   I wouldn't recommend Arizona to anyone.  Drivers even yelled rude remarks as we rode into Globe.  Can't imagine what their problem is, they certainly seem to hate bicyclists.

Ride started on the same road we ended yesterday...rumble strips and about 1 foot of riding room in the shoulder.  Then highway 79 went off and we were on a much better maintained hwy 60.  Beautiful wide shoulder to ride in all the way into Superior.  From Superior to Miami (wish it was Florida...but not yet) it was the ride from "hell".  None or little shoulder...uphill, tons of traffic...Thanks to Alayne and Karen (both from New York, we did it.  I rode between them on the uphills and behind them on the downhills(I'm slow at downhill 26.8 mph was the fastest downhill today, whereas I bet the others went 40 mph or more.  Not me!! I have extra brake pads with me, if I need them.

Then the tunnel.  Manzanita tunnel on the coast is nothing in comparison. The sound vibrated our core.  Fortunately we each had lights so we braved it made it through.  Only a few of us did the whole ride today...without SAG.  On the hardest part of the climb we rode and waited so that we could stay together. Yeah!  Made the ride more bearable.

I'm just feeling so grateful to VBC and the training they provided me and with such patience.  I am well prepared for this ride.  Clay's Tuesday ride has taught me how to deal with traffic and the Wednesday, Earthquake ride has taught me how to ride hills.  Both rides lead by leaders with endless patience.