| Distance | 121.50 kms | 75.81 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 358 meters | 1,175 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 7.15 | - |
| Avg speed | 17 kph | - |
| Distance | 155.40 kms | 96.31 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 416 meters | 1,365 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 8.98 | - |
Thursday, March 8th, 2018
Earplugs and fatigue were enough to save my night's sleep from the shenanigans going on at the motel last night. I'm not sad to leave the place.
Phoenix just goes on forever..and ever..and ever. 45 miles worth of city boulevards and canal paths finally gets me out past Chandler and into the desert.
In Florence I stop for supplies (such as they are): a gallon of water, a box of Pop-Tarts for tomorrow's breakfast, and one of those Velveeta mac+cheese boxes for tonight's dinner. Kind of grim but I'm keeping it simple since I'm only camping one night. Leaving the store I meeta guy from Rhode Island who's been out here for over 20 years. We chat about the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Patriots.
Next I head south on 79 towards Tucson. I came up this road in the fall so I know there will be plenty of easy camping spots off the road into the desert a little bit.
After about 10 miles on 79 the sun is near setting and I'm out of energy so I open a cattle gate and wheel off into the desert. I set up far enough away from the road for some peace and quiet; pitch my tent in a stand of scrub trees; then set about making dinner. I forgot my headlamp so I work furiously to get it done before night falls. The mac and cheese wouldn't win any awards but it's thick, cheesy, and salty enough to replenish those lost calories.
