Trans America Cycling Day 10 - Globe, AZ to Safford, AZ
The link to today's route and statistics is found here.
The morning was cool, low to mid 50's F, and windy, greater than 20 mph, so cyclists put on an extra layer of clothing. Later in the day and during the ride, the wind increased to a little over 30 mph. The wind was mostly a tailwind with a crosswind component from the right. In places with the most crosswind the wind would change one's direction to the left and the rider would have to correct to the right. Some lean to the right was also necessary then. This much wind was a new experience to most of the riders.
The course initially had some very long undulations (sine waves to engineer Ray from Malta) of 1/4 mile to 1 mile in length (period to Ray). The main road surface was good, so on the downhills the cyclists could ride near the white line in the roadway and gain considerable speed, to 30 to 35 mph at the bottom of the longer undulations if one let 'er rip. Riders also had some crosswind component to contend with on these downhills. Almost like a roller coaster ride in strong wind.
From about 50 miles out of Safford tall mountains were visible that rose to significant heights. Mt. Graham at 10,700 feet was the highest. Mt. Graham is still snow covered at the summit, and the Mt. Graham watershed enables significant agriculture in the region. They grow blue jeans in the shadows of Mt. Graham to the west of Safford, well sort of, as cotton fields are plentiful there. Concrete irrigation canals bring water to the fields.
The video below, thanks to Barry, demonstrates the effects of a 30 to 35 mph wind. Look for the clouds of dust in the air that we rode through. Most if not all cyclists oiled their bicycles after today's ride to eliminate dust and grit picked up as a result of the blowing wind.
There is a good bicycle climb up Mt. Graham, but after yesterday's hard climbing we will let it lie.
In riding east from Globe we dropped in elevation and were back into the Sonoran Desert for awhile and could see the majestic saguaro cacti for perhaps the last time on our journey.
For many miles we rode through the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. We passed by a casino on the reservation that was tempting to use for a SAG stop.
In the later part of the ride tumbling tumbleweeds crossing the road were a moving obstacle to contend with. Hannah was hit by a 2 foot diameter tumbleweed while riding, and she kept her cool and stayed upright. There is no photograph of that incident. One tumbleweed rolled by the front of the author's bicycle and was stopped by a fence, so the author decided to take it's picture to commemorate the hit on Hannah. Later Kip got in on the action and caught one.
The military/veteran photo of the day shows the patriotism of members of the San Carlos Apache Indians. A heartfelt thanks to the Apache veterans.
Our flower photo of the day involves the tour's core paceline.
The morning was cool, low to mid 50's F, and windy, greater than 20 mph, so cyclists put on an extra layer of clothing. Later in the day and during the ride, the wind increased to a little over 30 mph. The wind was mostly a tailwind with a crosswind component from the right. In places with the most crosswind the wind would change one's direction to the left and the rider would have to correct to the right. Some lean to the right was also necessary then. This much wind was a new experience to most of the riders.
The course initially had some very long undulations (sine waves to engineer Ray from Malta) of 1/4 mile to 1 mile in length (period to Ray). The main road surface was good, so on the downhills the cyclists could ride near the white line in the roadway and gain considerable speed, to 30 to 35 mph at the bottom of the longer undulations if one let 'er rip. Riders also had some crosswind component to contend with on these downhills. Almost like a roller coaster ride in strong wind.
From about 50 miles out of Safford tall mountains were visible that rose to significant heights. Mt. Graham at 10,700 feet was the highest. Mt. Graham is still snow covered at the summit, and the Mt. Graham watershed enables significant agriculture in the region. They grow blue jeans in the shadows of Mt. Graham to the west of Safford, well sort of, as cotton fields are plentiful there. Concrete irrigation canals bring water to the fields.
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| Mt. Graham with blue point junipers demonstrating wind |
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| 3200 meter Mt. Graham |
The video below, thanks to Barry, demonstrates the effects of a 30 to 35 mph wind. Look for the clouds of dust in the air that we rode through. Most if not all cyclists oiled their bicycles after today's ride to eliminate dust and grit picked up as a result of the blowing wind.
There is a good bicycle climb up Mt. Graham, but after yesterday's hard climbing we will let it lie.
In riding east from Globe we dropped in elevation and were back into the Sonoran Desert for awhile and could see the majestic saguaro cacti for perhaps the last time on our journey.
For many miles we rode through the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. We passed by a casino on the reservation that was tempting to use for a SAG stop.
In the later part of the ride tumbling tumbleweeds crossing the road were a moving obstacle to contend with. Hannah was hit by a 2 foot diameter tumbleweed while riding, and she kept her cool and stayed upright. There is no photograph of that incident. One tumbleweed rolled by the front of the author's bicycle and was stopped by a fence, so the author decided to take it's picture to commemorate the hit on Hannah. Later Kip got in on the action and caught one.
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| Pesky tumbling tumbleweed |
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| Kip catches a tumbleweed |
The military/veteran photo of the day shows the patriotism of members of the San Carlos Apache Indians. A heartfelt thanks to the Apache veterans.
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| Patriotism of Apache Indians is appreciated by Roberto, Ray and Barry |
Our flower photo of the day involves the tour's core paceline.
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| Fab 4 in the posies - Hannah, Alison, Nichole and Ester |
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| Damaged elbow being iced |
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| Riding buddies, Kip and Ray |
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