Deserted Desert
It’s been a long haul through the desert. Desolate, deserted, any other d word you could imagine. It was some long days of riding, where I was alone with my thoughts, alone with nature, and simply pedaling onward.
Yesterday, I woke up at 5AM to hit the road. I had about 104 miles to ride, with no host lined up, and very little roadside stops. After only a few miles of riding, I finally made it into Arizona. I had spent nearly three weeks of riding through California, from Northern California to the Bay Area, to the beaches of Southern California, I really enjoyed my time in the state. However, at the same time I was eager for my first visit to Arizona. Hoping to not encounter any rattlesnakes or scorpions I pedaled onward. Almost my entire ride in Arizona was on I-10. Interstate travel isn’t my favorite, but it’s on a paved road, and it’s legal in Arizona. Why not give it a try?
Unfortunately, one of the side effects of riding on the interstate is more debris. I mean a lot of debris. That resulted in, count along with me. One hahaha. Two hahaha. Three hahaha. Four hahaha. That’s right four flats throughout the day. Four is the number of the day. Even the count from Sesame street is appalled at that number. Fortunately, I had just enough tubes to fix it up. Of course, it was easy to get frustrated at this point. It’s not fun to fix a flat. Let alone on a side of the interstate. It’s messy, I’ve got to unload all my gear, take my tire off, switch out the tube, pump it up and then load up all my gear. However, despite the frustration, and amongst the dirt and grime that had built up from sweat, dirt, and bike grease, I simply took a step back. Is it really that bad? I have food, I was stocked up on water. Then I thought about the kids I’m riding for. Those kids who don’t have a parent waiting for them when they get home from school. The kids who don’t have a mentor leading them through life’s tough times. Were four flats in a single day really that bad compared to that? Absolutely not! Through the flats, I continued riding, and riding, and riding. When all was said and done, I rode more miles than I ever have in a single day. 125 miles. Boom. Put it in the books. Sign the check. Deliver the mail. It was a heck of a day. Mile after mile. I just kept riding. I felt good. I didn’t have a place to stay, so why not keep riding? I ended up finally pitching a tent in the desert about 34 miles away from Chase Field.
Luckily, the weather has been miled for Arizona standards. Only 80 or so degrees compared to the 100 degrees it was just last week. I dodged a bullet with that ride. I stocked up with a ton of water, which quite honestly, I didn’t end up needing. However, it was good to be prepared just in case.
It was a windy night on the desert, with my tent bulging from the gusts of wind, and even some rain falling on the desert it was a little troublesome falling sleep. However, after biking 125 miles, I’m pretty sure they could have dropped an atomic bomb outside my tent and I’d still manage to catch some z’s.
I woke up at the crack of dawn, and biked the short distance to Chase Field. I guess I’ve come to think of 36 miles by bike is a short distance. What’s wrong with me? Anyways, my hosts for Phoenix David, and his daughter Madison met me at the ballpark. They took a few photos of me and we were on our way. Madison is 4.5 years old, and a ton of fun! She even knew how many miles I had ridden so far! Hi5 Maddie!
David was kind enough to take me golfing for 9 holes. I was pretty excited to have some exercise that didn’t consist of balanching on two wheels. However, I’m not a great golfer. I’ll be the first admit it. I can count on one time the number of times I’ve gone golfing, however, for not playing very often, I’m alright. Either way, I have no shame in my game, and still can have fun despite some rough shots. It kind of felt like I was back at the beach and by the ocean with the number of shots I hit in the bunkers and water. Oh well, I did hit the fairway on a few drives. Although they may have been the wrong hole. Still counts right?
David also cooked up some bratwurst on the grill. For anyone who knows me, knows that I love my bratwurst. Thus, some brats were just what I needed. I will never grow sick of a well cooked brat with sauerkraut. I also had a blast hanging with Jersey, they’re golden retriever who is two years old, but loads of fun to play with. She’s a hoot. Or a bark? Dogs bark, they don’t hoot. Either way, she’s a great pup.
After a quick evening dip of pool, and some water basketball H-O-R-S-E it’s time for bed for me. It’s been a long day, filled with more adventures and friends. I’m off to bed, eager to enjoy some baseball at Chase Field tomorrow, along with my first off day in close to three weeks.
Matt