Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Sept. 25, 1999
Day: Saturday
From: Blythe, CA
To: Quartzite, AZ

Lodging: Desert Garden RV Park
Cumulative Mileage: 309.8
Actual Riding Time: 2:44
Average Speed: 12.0
Weather: Clear, sunny Temp: mid 90's

It's getting hot as we continue to pass through the desert and enter Arizona, our second state. We left Blythe late as we had another short day to Quartzite, AZ. Originally we were going to have a layover day in Quartzite, but the town is so small, especially now before the RV snowbird migration gets underway. Instead we have two short days which works out OK, especially for those who slept inside last night and didn't set up their tents (and braved the snoring in the air-conditioned house). Todd and Jim got off at 5:45 for the mail run into Quartzite and got there in plenty of time. They said the full moon helped during the first part of the ride, as the sun isn't up until 6:30.

It was a short ride to the border on the I-10 frontage road, then along the pedestrian sidewalk over the Colorado River. In Arizona, at least on this stretch of I-10, it is legal to ride on the interstate, and that's the best, and possibly only, route to Quartzite. The rumble strips weren't fun, although these were a single strip every 10 yards diagonally across the shoulder. Most of us met at the rest area, then Oliver and I went on ahead at a little faster pace, stopping occasionally to take pictures of each other riding along with the semi's (a new word for Oliver who is from Germany). Later Cyndi (sorry if I misspelled it earlier), Bruno, and Suzanne rode by as Oliver was posing next to a huge suguaro cactus.

The campsite is just off the interstate, outside Quartzite. Spike, Lynne, Todd and I stopped by McDonalds (we're desperate) for snacks. The town is nearly empty, getting ready for the winter onslaught of RV'ers next month, when the town quadruples in size. The bookstore was impressive, with over 75,000 titles. I couldn't help myself from buying a book and magazine. The owner offered us ice water and showed us his map of Quartize that he drew and sells for $1. He's also the cartoonist for the town paper. He told us about the route up ahead toward Aquilla, and gave me a map of some of the sights along the way. Tomorrow will be a challenge, 65 miles with a gradual ascent to Aguila. We'll be packing lots of water now that the desert heat is picking up and we're riding longer miles. The sun is setting and it's time for vegetarian chili.