Date(s): Oct. 2, 1999
Day: Saturday
From: Safford, AZ
To: Just west of Needle's Eye pass, AZ
Lodging: Ponderosa Campground
Segment Mileage: 33.5
Cumulative Mileage: 756.2
Actual Riding Time: 2:43
Average Speed: 12.2
Weather: Hot, sunny
Temp: low 90's
Today was a short day with a long climb. I'll write about it by describing a typical day on the road. We normally rise early, some as early as 4:15 (Jimmy). The cooking crew has to get out the breakfast and lunch foods, usually at a designated time. We gradually get up and make our breakfast, often of milk, either powdered or regular depending on availability of ice and how close the store is located, and cereal. Then we make 2 or 3 sandwiches for the road. Today we had a small crisis as the popular chunky kind of peanut butter was not available at the store and we had to settle for smooth. We fix trail mix and take it in baggies. We also take cookies and other treats. We each have 3 ziploc bags for lunch that we re-use each day, and it's getting close to the time to change them.
Next we set off, usually in groups of 2 or 3; the ones who take their time try to get out earlier than the others. Oliver, because of his big tent, is usually one of the last to leave, as am I since it takes me a while to get everything packed up. Oliver and I often ride together for a while until we catch up with some of the others; today we passed most people on the long climb to the summit. Just before the top we spotted Tod, and Oliver figured he could catch him, and did just at the summit. We all stopped to take pictures before the long descent, meeting Spike at the store.
For dinner, the cooking team of two people must first buy supplies for the day, and today Suzanne and JimN are the cooks. Suzanne had to do the shopping, as JimN, who rides sweep and is always the last to leave, had things to do and would meet us later. If the store is far from camp, we try to buy less food, and meet as a group to each carry a small load.
Camp is a grassy spot with good shade, showers, and laundry, ideal conditions. Dinner varies from spaghetti, to potatoes (instant) and veggies, chili, macaroni and cheese, or rice and veggies. We even had fajitas one night. With luck the cooks will get to camp early enough to set up their tents, shower, and perhaps do laundry before starting to cook. Usually that isn't the case.
Most of us tend to be in bed by 9pm, the later ones trying not to zip their tents too loudly, as we are usually close together. Then we get up and do it all over again, unless we have the luxury of a rest day.
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