May 8, 2024 to Wickenburg, AZ

Five miles into the day we entered Arizona, at the same time we got onto the shoulder of interstate 10.   Would be a 30 mile ride on that.   Pretty wide shoulder, some was smooth, some was crappy


bumpy.   But the wind was either a quartering headwind, or sidewind, rarely at my back.  Although I did have a 5 mile stretch at 18 mph, that was a blast .   Fastest 5 mile stretch yet.

The wind got to me.   Jill can tell you, I hate headwinds.
Bottom line for the day is I stopped at mile 66.   I was already fading and did not see my way through the final 48 miles.   At dinner everyone agreed the first 50-60 miles today were the hardest.  Still don't think I could have made it.    I would have been last on the road, which is hard to do unless one has the right attitude, and I didn't!   So ... After hanging out at mile 89 rest stop for you 1 1/2 hours.   I felt great, and probably could have finished out on the bike.   Issue is, I didn't consider or ask about that until the SAG van was headed to hotel 🏨.   For the best I think.   I am woefully under prepared for this, and injuring my Achilles 6 weeks ago just when I should have been training more, still, right now blowing yellow crap out of my nose and throat all day and night .   Anyway, I feel pretty good, hope this "shorter" day helps me rest and prepare for the future.   Tomorrow is going to be challenging.   60 miles, but 6000 feet of elevation gain.   Includes a 7 mile climb, and a 9 mile climb ..



  • flag shows how windy it was

    tumbleweeds.   Yes, they really do blow across the road 


    Random comments.  How can anything grow here?   Crappy ground needs a ton of irrigation and fertilizer.   One picture is of tumbleweeds.
    Wickenburg, Arizona is a cute town.   Had a great burger tonight 😁.

    Total today was 6 hours start to time I got off the bike.   2856 of elevation gain, 1398 of downhill
    A very cool town by the way 

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