Up at 5 am this morning and went to breakfast whilst is was still dark. Left Blythe (can't say I'll be in a hurry to go back there) at 6:20. After about 5 miles crossed the border into Arizona. The interstate highway climbed steadily for the first hour, but the road surface was good, the wind was favourable and there were six of us working a paceline. This soon got cut to 4 and then after about 25 miles to 3. Turned off the interstate and the road got really bumpy. They're resurfacing it at the moment and there was a lot of construction. One point had a escort (not a ford escort) taking groups of vehicles through. We were really lucky with this and it only held us up for a couple of minutes, but others behind got stuck for 15 mins.
Passed through the small town of Hope with this interesting sign on the way out. I grabbed this off the net. Couldn't take any photos today because the battery in the camera had run flat. Not too bothered as tour leader Mike (TLM) (as opposed to English Mike, that's me, or Bamuda Mike) takes literally 5000 photos each trip and sends us the best.
It's a desert out there, cactus, dead things, the works. Lunch was after 60 miles and from there to Wickenburg it was one long totally straight road, no bend for 40 miles or more. Saw some 'dirt devils' they're like mini tornados. Came close to one just before the end. They're hazardous, will knock you off the bike, so had to stop. Our group of 3 were the first in at 4pm. It makes such a difference having a few extra hours to get yourself clean, have a good meal, do whatever you feel.
Top temperature today was about 102 on the road. Drank another 12+ litres of fluid. That's all the day consists of, drinking and rubbing in some sort of cream, whether it's sun screen, lip balm, stuff to stop saddle sores, stuff to cure saddle sores, muscle pain gel, it's like painting the Forth Bridge. Obviously much better day today, got some pins and needles in my fingers from all the bumps, but apart from that OK. A lot of climbing tomorrow, but only 103 miles.
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