Gila Bend to Casa Grande
Friday March 18th
We had a quiet night at the “old” school in Gila Bend. Started out right at 7:30 AM towards Casa Grande. Today was our closest approach to Phoenix, maybe 50 miles or so. The first 25-30 miles were a slow pace all on I-8 up a 2-3% grade. At about mile 35 we hit our high altitude for the day (2,000’), exited I-8 and then a nice slight downhill grade to the town of Stanfield at mile 47. I had eaten at a small Mexican grocery/ food counter in 2020, and since today was a 73 miler, stopped in for lunch. I remember the same guy cooking behind the counter. Three shrimp tacos, rice and beans, and a 20 ounce Lemonade for $14. It was a typical high noon Arizona day, bright sun and moderate breezes, no apparent direction. Stopped to help another rider (Linda of Jeffs 2019 C2C) finish changing a flat. There have been a lot of truck tire wire flats, thanks I-8. Arrived at the High Chaparral Campsite around 2:30. It was filled with mostly monster RVs, almost all having some sort of desert capable 4 wheeler. 2nd laundry day, so sort clothes into half a dozen bins. Clean laundry will magically appear tonight at our next destination. One of the campers advised that they shut down this whole campground on April 1st and head to cooler climates. Pedaled 73.4 miles, Avg speed 13, Climbed 1,679 feet. Calories burned were 2742. Those darn 25 mile long hills do keep down the average.
This trip definitely does NOT remind me of a GBA! Leave at 7:30!!! What, no afternoon naps 10 miles from the finish? And ending your day in the early afternoon?
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. You are doing a great job journaling. Thanks
Brendan