About Us

My photo
Based in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, we three are longtime single cycle riders. After early retirement, Karen and David bought a jumbo-sized Cannondale tandem. It's white (very), trimmed in red. We call it the Pillsbury Doughboy. We were joined by Bill, an old friend, on his 14-year old single Cannondale and made the call that started this adventure. He's supposedly retired but continues to find real work when he chooses.We planned to pedal self-supported across the U.S. in Spring 2011 from San Diego CA to St. Augustine FL. In beginning this adventure we agreed philosophically with Jean-Jacques Rousseau: "The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest experiences."

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Monday thru Wednesday, Notes from Tempe

Karen brushing her teeth after putting the bikes in the bathroom.

Fell asleep last night writing the following:
Lodging logistics required a shorter riding day to Quartzsite Monday, followed by a 94 miler Tuesday to Wickenberg.
Monday's 50 miles was distinctive mainly for finally completing CA and entering AZ. And spending a lot of time on the interstate. Quartzite in April is a deserted snowbird/flea market town. Also the home of the world's largest belt buckle.
Our "motel" was half of a trailer, converted to a room. Unexpected bonus was ability to store both tandem and single in the bathroom. I also received my first "criticism" of riding cross-country which I'll post under personal thoughts.
Tuesday was the first day I felt like a real bike tourer. My face was slathered with zinc oxide sunscreen (thanks Deb K). I replaced my jersey with a white Ex Officio long sleeve 50 SPF shirt (gracias Mike S. for the suggestion). With my orange bandanna wrapped around my neck, I am now looking like the geek rider I was always meant to be. The sun out here is brutal.
The 94-mile ride to Wickenberg included three mountain ascents, about 1,000 feet each. David was superb in handling the tandem. Although some consider the stoker position "boring," I found I was able to use all acquired skills, i.e. pedalling perfect circles, maintaining posture and HYDRATING with about two gallons of assorted liquids. Felt really good afterwards until I passed out.
bike path follows a canal in Phoenix
Today's ride to Tempe reunited us at our breakfast stop with the Oakland Knoll District Clydesdales, the Napa winery owners I previously mentioned. They're still riding with sag support and will venture forth fully loaded Saturday. Seeing their sags on the route has been a nice unexpected extra.
To get to our motel, we did the unanticipated (and apparently illegal) route through the Sky Harbor Airport
access roads. Our first 64 miles to Tempe took about four hours. Our ten miles to the Springhill Suites took two. And I have a re-forged bond with my guardian angel. 'Nuf said. Except that I still hate GPS.
Posted by at

5 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 13, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I have a bunch of relatives living in the Phoenix area (from both my Mom and Dad's sides of the family), if you need anything there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 13, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Oh, and my brother use to live in Tucson. He probably still has friends in the area, if you are going through there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MichelleApril 14, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    I agree with the Zinc oxide, continue to use it. I loaded it on us at the zoo the day after getting burned with the regular stuff in the garden. Zoe misses Papa playtime and Oma when it's time for bed. I hope you have a good day in Tempe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JCApril 16, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Also the home of the world's largest belt buckle.


    OK, I have added this to my list of things I must see!

    JC

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen, David & BillApril 17, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    We didn't get to see it. At the end of February everyone leaves town. Except for a few locals and one very grumpy prospector. See my encounter under personal thoughts.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)