Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Oct. 1, 1999
Day: Friday
From: Globe, AZ
To: Safford, AZ
Lodging: Safford Ranch for Active Seniors (some of us qualify)
Segment Mileage: 102.4
Cumulative Mileage: 723.2
Actual Riding Time: 6:47
Average Speed: 15.0
Weather: Hot, sunny
Temp: low 90's

Century day. At least for most of us it was a day to ride 100 miles. For some, like Cyndi, Jimmy, Lynne, and Suzanne, it was their first 100-mile day, and not a very easy one at that. We left camp at Globe early as it would be a long day. I left earlier than usual, in part because someone had to ride ahead to check out the route. At the Coolidge Dam turnoff from US 70, the road was supposed to be very rough, and we decided if it was too rough, we would stay on route 70 and just ride 75 or so miles. The road seemed OK, so those who wanted to do the century went ahead. Tod, Bob, and Spike decided to do the shorter route along 70. JimN was delayed, so Oliver and I waited for him at a nearby gas station. He had a flat and brake trouble, and was delayed for about 40 minutes. While stopped he met Mike, a solo rider from England doing our same route. Mike decided to ride with us for a few days with JimN's permission.

The four of us rode as a group along the road to Coolidge Dam. The first part of the road was not bad although a little rough. The descent to the dam was great; fast, smooth, with beautiful scenery. The dam forms San Carlos Lake from the Gila River. It is one of the few 3-domed dams in the world and is set in a very scenic gorge. Just after the dam we met Bruno, Cyndi, Janet and Lynne. At that point Oliver and I went ahead, passing Todd along the way. After the dam, the road was in bad shape, with large gaps in the pavement, and in some stretches broken pavement across the entire road. It was a relief to get back onto US 70 and smooth pavement, despite the fast traffic. At Baylas many of us met while restocking our water and food supplies at one of the few stores in the area. From Baylas to Safford, we had a flat, smooth road with a nice tailwind.

Bruno started off from the store first and I said to Oliver that he better not let him get too far ahead. He couldn't resist the challenge, and urged me to join the chase. It took us a while to catch him, then the three of us rode together for a while, averaging about 22 or 23 mph. Toward Safford, our destination for the day, Oliver decided he would make a break for it and left Bruno and me behind, getting to Safford first. He claims to have 'won' the century race, but I keep reminding him that it is not a race, especially when I lose.

The three of us improvised dinner shopping, opting for something filling and easy to cook (spaghetti). Oliver and I made it into camp around 5:30, Bruno staying at the store until others arrived who could help carry breakfast and dinner groceries. The last of the group got to the campground just at dusk, tailights flashing, having reached a cycling milestone, their first century.