I made it to Phoenix! It as a long, hot day, but I’m half way through Arizona, with plenty of momentum.
I started the day with some city riding. Globe, Claypool and Miami look like separate cities on the map, but they are all connected. The area is actually called the “Three City” area.
Outside of the city, however, is Apache National Forrest, which was much prettier than I expected. It was actually a forrest in the middle the desert. The dirt is still red and the trees are no more than four feet tall, but it is definitely a forrest.
Apache National Forrest is a high altitude point for the area.
Between Globe and Phenix, there’s a small town called Superior. It’s in a tiny valley, surrounded by rocky hills. The ride into town included a tunnel and a canyon bridge. I really wanted to get a picture of the tunnel, but it was way too dangerous to stop.
These cactuses are are huge. Some of them are about 35 feet tall around here. This desert reminds me of a stereotypical cartoon desert, with the giant cactuses and tumble weeds.
I got into the Phoenix area pretty early. Between the suburbs and and the city, Phoenix is going to end up being a full day’s ride.
It’s so cool to see desert suburbs. Instead of grass, the have rocks. Instead of overly-trimmed bushes, they have overly-trimmed cactuses.
I’m struggling with the heat here. It’s not that it’s dramatically hotter that Florida. It’s just harder to recognize when you are overheated or dehydrated. In swamp heat, you are constantly sweating. If you stop sweating, you are dehydrated. Here, it’s so dry that any sweat you produce evaporates before you even notice it was there. If you’re not careful, this could get you in trouble. I have to force myself to stop and drink, even if I feel fine.
I made it through Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, all of which are big suburban areas surrounding Phoenix. Not a lot of people were out and about because of the oppressive heat.
I decided to call it quites when my iPhone said it was 105 degrees. I’m about half way through the Arizona Canal Bike Path, which spans about 15 miles.
Passing through a city is always interesting. When you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s normal to peddle around with all of your belongings strapped onto your bike. People in small towns are used to backpackers passing through. In the suburbs, people don’t know what to make of it. I understand, too. I would have a double take if someone with rig like mine was peddling through my neighborhood. Still, it’s great to see people’s reactions.
Rutger Myers 