Woke up at 3 AM this morning looking at maps reading some other blogs and trying to plan my day. The guy who brought me up to the hotel yesterday suggested that I do an alternate route which would take me north Up into Arizona and then east over to Pie town. That would add about 50 miles to my route, but he said it would be all paved and they’ll be lots of services. But, I’m not going to do that. As much as I hate redoing miles, I’m going to ride the 8 miles back to reserve this morning, Hopefully get some breakfast and stock up on some food for tonight then head about 40 miles west on 12 we’re I’ll hit dirt road north up to Pie town. I’ll have to break this into two days and camp somewhere between here and there.
On a positive note the high is supposed to be 88 today. So, going to drink some more liquids finish off the turkey and ham I bought yesterday and get a few more hours of sleep before heading out this morning.
Back up at 5:50. Left at 6:45. 58 this morning and actually put on my jacket for the 8 mile ride back to Reserve.
My mirror was missing from my bike. I think it must have fallen off in the truck yesterday. Will stop by the hotel in reserve and see if I can locate it….hate riding without a mirror.
Pulled into Reserve and saw Stewart and Will sitting outside the gas station…they had ridden all night and got here a couple hours ago. They’ll be sleeping today and riding again tonight. Stewart was complaining about how thin the shells are on our eggs. said he packed some in his pannier and they broke and made a mess of everything. said eggs in Australia had thick shells and he could carry them with no problem. All i was thinking was how he was carrying fresh produce and i was packing Armor Potted Meat, beef jerky, and bean dip 🙂
Stopped in the gas station and picked up some food for camping tonight….potted meat, sardines, bean dip, and fretios. I’m carrying a lot of water so hopefully will last.
A cafe opened across the street so stopped in to eat breakfast at 8am.
Called the motel about my mirror and they found it in their truck. Problem is it’s 8 miles back where I came from this morning, but the lady said she could bring it to me in 30 minutes, so I’m going to sit here and wait for it. Glad I’m only doing about 50-60 miles today—killing a lot of time.
9:08 got my mirror and back on the road.
10:15 Stopped at an RV park got a Coke and a snickers bar and topped off my water bottles. At 6,350 feet now getting warm but a nice cool breeze coming out of the west.
10:52 and 23 miles down. Glad I’m heading east today have a nice wind out of the west pushing me along.
11 AM Mile 26. For about the last mile there have been thousands of grasshoppers flying around. I’m hearing them crunch under my tires and fly in my mouth. All I had to do was chew and it was instant lunch.
12:21 reached the continental divide at 7, 312. In Bear country now and haven’t picked up my bear spray yet.
12:47 made it to the A 95 turn off back on gravel finally. finished the 140 mile detour around the forest fire in Gila national forest. I’m at 41.93 miles have 10 miles to go to the campground where I will stay tonight.
1:20 PM 44.5 miles in. Got off the bike took my helmet off took my riding gloves off and just pushing the bike up this washboard gravel road just to give my rear end a rear. feels nice to hike the bike instead of getting beat up on this washboard.
10:30 getting hotter, 7,437 feet
3 o’clock made to the campground and I am toast.
It’s 8pm and finally the temp is bearable. I’m the only one at the campground so I have my choice of campsites. After a lot of thinking I finally settled on putting everything that could attract animals in the toilet shelter. I parked my bike there under the cover and pitched my tent about 50 yards away so I can see it. That’s about as “bear aware” as I can be tonight. I’ll be able to pick up bear spray in grants in a couple days, but for now it’s a knife and hoping none come around. According to the signs I’m in bear and cougar country.
I saw an elk grazing out behind my tent and am hearing elk calling in the woods.
I have 30 miles of tough riding to get to pie town tomorrow, so will get an early start to beat the heat. Would like to get there early, maybe hang out a bit during the heat of the day then ride some in the evening to get closer to grants so I can make that day after tomorrow.
There is definitely an errie feeling camping out in the wild, with not a sole around and knowing you’re not the top of the food chain out here….no cell service to call anyone and no fast food joint when you’re Hungary or thirsty. To be honest this isn’t the fun part of the trip for me…I would much rather be in a hotel room, with AC, a full stomach and all the ice cold drinks I can consume after a hard days riding. But it is quite and peaceful.
Pics:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/te2i5ngmqzht49r/AADyErAabw38ENdsNOb7B_p1a?dl=0
