Date(s): Oct. 5, 1999
Day: Tuesday
From: Pinos Altos
To: Gila Hot Springs
Lodging: Doc Campbell's campground
Segment Mileage: 35.6
Cumulative Mileage: 890.7
Actual Riding Time: 3:06
Average Speed:
11.4
Weather: Warm, some clouds
Temp: high 80's
Today was a beautiful ride from Pinos Altos to Gila Hot Springs. It was cold again when we started with a 2 mile downhill, with people stopping to put on additonal clothes. Then we climbed for the next 6 or so miles to an elevation of around 7200 feet, followed by a wonderful descent to the route 35/15 intersection along the Sapillo River. It was a treat to be riding through pine forest on a cool fall day, with the few aspen starting to change to yellow, and the strong smell of cedar. I stopped for about 20 minutes just savoring the smells and sounds of the forest, then eating most of my lunch. A little further ahead I met up with Todd and Suzanne who were sitting on a ridge with a nearly 360 degree view of the surrounding Gila Wilderness, the first area to be designated a wilderness area. Later others joined us, Jimmy documenting the event as usual.
Even though I had eaten lunch, I managed to down a piece of cherry pie at the restaurant at the bottom of the hill where we all stopped for a snack. It looked like a Swiss chalet. It was next to the wildlife rescue center, and had quite a selection of bird prints and books. There was a wounded hummingbird sitting on the counter. The manager explained that it was injured and was brought in to the rescue center, as she fed it from a sugar bottle, it's litte tongue jutting out to get the juice.
The real climb started after the restaurant, but as I started to leave I felt the rear of the bike tilt. I had a flat, probably from leaning the bike against a bank with weeds. It took a minute to fix it, enough time for the others to get ahead. I rode hard to catch them, but Oliver, Mike, and Todd were all at the top when I got there, Oliver taking the 'king of the mountain' title. From the top and all along the descent we had beautiful views of the wilderness. We had another screaming descent, reaching 42 mph (of course Oliver was faster at 45 mph, but he has an unfair advantage, with BOB his trailer pushing him along).
We coasted into camp, our best yet, situated along the Gila River, with our tents spread out along the sandy bank. Next to us are three hot baths fed by a hot spring, hot enough that we can only stand to be in the third, 'coolest' pool, around 104 degrees. It's a good site for a rest day, and will give us a good chance to rest our weary bodies. We may even have our first campfire tonight along the river bank.
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