Brutal Hills on the Road to Globe

Ok this is the first of 3 long days and it was a killer. 80 miles in temps. in the high 80's. Left Phoenix on my own and proudly negotiated the suburb route out of town. Beautiful ranchstyle houses, no high rise in sight. Cycled past Tomahawk Road and Apache Jct and kept my head well down. Had to make sure we had plenty water as there were few towns so I was carrying 3 bottles. Then the climbing started, up through rugged, jagged passes. Took my time and coped well although very steep. Lisa was struggling with the heat and heart palpitations and Robert C said he could go no further and would have to stop. I therefore wasn't too surprised when I saw the van go back for them. We had to cycle through a long dark tunnel and it was awful. I can hold my line in traffic, and on this tour I have been in some busy roads but this was frightening. The roar of the traffic and the dark was disorienting and I was all over the road. Anyway made it through and the rough, stoney cliff faces were beautiful. We must have climbed 4000 ft. I felt strong when I finished but then had to pitch my darned tent etc. Globe used to be a bawdy copper mining town and there is still mining in the area but it is more a sedate trade centre. On Superstition Mountain lives the legend of the ' the Lost Dutchman Mine'. Apparently in the late 1800's he would disappear into the mountains and return with vast quantities of gold ore. He told no-one where his mine was but when he died, left a riddle. People have been searching ever since to no avail. There's gold in them thaur hills. Hard day today, more to come but......Still loving it.

Lazy Day in Phoenix

Ok I don't have a smoke signal yet but will continue with blog anyway. Had a lovely rest day, sunbathed in morning at the motel then shopped in the afternoon at an fantastic outdoor shop REI. Bought another cycling top and new bumbag. We are all developing ' panda eyes' from the sun. Just saying. Still loving it...........

No Smoke Signals In Them Thar Hills

Just to let you know I am alive and kicking. Signals have proved difficult through the hills. Extremely gruelling last 4 days but we are now in New Mexico and all well. I don't know when this will get through, hopefully soon. Still loving it...

Tempe to Globe To Safford onto Buckham

Janice is sorry she cannot up date her blog herself because she is having problems due to her phone.I received texts to say that Tempe to Globe was very hard day and very long unrelenting climbs but Janice managed to arrive safely at Globe. Next day to Safford was also a very long mileage and very hot as well. Today Saturday Janice cycling onto Buckhorn in New Mexico.Also another day of long mileage. I hope Janice can sort out the problem with her phone re her blog, as I am not good at this but will keep up dates via texts from Janice till problem sorted out. Murray

On the 'Flat' list.

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Spike Covered in Frost

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Murder and Mayhem on the Road to Phoenix.

Rose about 5.00 am to find bike and tent covered in thick frost, -5 deg. Ugg. Left about 7.00 am as we had. 73.1 miles to cover today. Took about 4 miles for frost to clear from bike. Cruising along and suddenly puncture in back tyre. Still the sun was out, a good broad hard shoulder so quickly got back wheel off. The culprit was two large pieces of wire from shredded truck wheels. Truck wheels have wire mesh embedded in them and when they burst they explde everywhere. A cyclists nightmare. Dan caught me up and just took over. You know what, I had the courtesy to let him. Then the support van came along but by that time we were sorted. Now I am up on the 'flat' list. Reached the outskirts of Phoenix only to find our route blocked by the Police as a body had been found in the canal alongside our bike path. A tv crew were there and the presenter Steve Ryan was interested in our trip. I asked him ' are you famous' and his cameraman said ' he likes to think he is'. Lol. Had a nightmare of a time negotiating Phoenix, over 30 miles, kept getting lost. Had a chat with Postman Kieran, big broad hat, very friendly. Eventually made motel but I felt really strong and could have gone on. Put tent etc out in the sun to dry. Did laundry so all clean now. Will try and upload photo of bike covered in frost. Day of tomorrow, Wednesday. Still loving it...just saying...

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