Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Sept. 28, 1999
Day: Tuesday
From: Phoenix
To: Phoenix

Lodging: Destiny Phoenix West RV Park
Segment Mileage: 48.5
Cumulative Mileage: 506.0
Actual Riding Time: 3:45
Average Speed: 12.8
Weather: Hot and sunny
Temp: 100

Rest day. At least it was supposed to be. A group of us, Suzanne, Jimmy, Cyndi, Oliver, and I decided to see the big city. Cyndi assured us that it was only 17 miles, according to the park store clerk who seemed pretty definite about it. We set out relatively late, around 9:00. Our bikes felt like young horses out for a sprint, unencumbered by our usual loads. The directions: follow Van Buren, a busy commuter road, straight into town. 24 miles later, after passing through one of the seedier parts of town, we arrived in the downtown area, and our first treat of the day, a coffee at Starbucks. Cyndi refused to use the Starbucks lingo and asked for a large something or other in order to listen to the silly Starbucks translation.

Next we stopped by the visitors center to ask where the various attractions were located, and a very helpful lady answered all of our questions. Cyndi and Suzanne wanted to take the bus back, as bikes can be put on a rack on the front of the bus, saving them 10 miles of the 24, and they got info on where to catch it. We also found out where the library and museum were located. At the library, a very modern and attractive building, we waited to access one of the 25 Internet machines, where users are guaranteed at least an hour of time. While the others waited I walked to the nearby art museum, which contains an extensive Western art collection that I briefly viewed. Next we went to a very good Japanese fast food restaurant for lunch.

Jim rode back early, as he was on the cooking team and needed to get supplies. Oliver and I rode back after after a stop at the post office to send photos to Germany, and Cyndi and Suzanne caught the bus, which luckily wasn't already carrying any bikes. It was a long hot ride through rush hour traffic. We all 5 met by chance just outside the market, and rode back together. Later I felt the effects of the ride and thought it would have been good to take a real rest, but it was a good opportunity to explore a new city. Little did I know that we would be taking the same route the next day, only during morning rush hour.