Goodbye CA, Hello AZ
Day 4: Blythe, CA to Parker, AZ; 53 miles and 1000 feet of climbing
1 hour into the ride
1.5 hours into the ride
It was another 3:15 AM wake up call to beat the heat. I think we’re all starting to feel the effects of biking and waking up before dawn every day. Mom took a rest day today. Dad and I left in the dark and biked a mostly flat 53 miles in just under 4 hours. The furthest and fastest I have ever ridden. We watched a beautiful sunrise over the mountains and followed the Colorado river for most of our ride. We were amazed at how many “resort” communities we passed along the way. But other than that it was mostly desert with mountains in the distance on all sides. We had a slow start but once we found our rhythm the first 3 hours/40 miles went by smoothly.
Just as I was starting to get tired around mile 40 we crossed the Colorado River into Arizona. That was enough to reinvigorate me for another ten miles. It really doesn’t take much when you’re biking through mostly barren desert and farm land. We met Mom 3 miles out from our destination of McDonalds and truthfully I was ready to stop there. It was already over 90 degrees and I had drank all 4 of my water bottles. But we refilled one water bottle and finished the last 3 miles. I do think it made the diet coke we drank taste just a bit better.
Crossing the Colorado River into Arizona
3 more miles to go
With the next day looking like another high in the 110s, we decided to just drive to Prescott, AZ for the relative cold of 90 degrees. Prescott ended up being a cute town in the mountains with a bunch of antique stores. After we checked in we walked around town and at that point I think between the heat, altitude and biking 50 miles we all started to feel a bit dizzy so we ate dinner at 3 pm. No early bird special sadly.
Maude enjoying the AC
Tomorrows ride features a 4000 foot climb to 7000 feet of elevation so Mom and I are planning to sit that one out while Dad does what he can. We’re all doing our best and testing or respective limits.
