Coasting to California

We're starting to see many more long distance cyclists on the road.  It seems that the season of the bike traveler has officially begun!  It is always nice to share stories and road wisdom with the passing kindred spirit.  In many cases we have learned a good deal about what to expect as we head west.  Also within the bike community, we've been fortunate to meet a few members of warmshowers.org.  Warmshowers.org is very similar to coachsurfing.com, but it is geared for long distance cyclists (pun alert!).  Basically, complete strangers take you into their home, feed you, allow you to use their shower, and put you up for the night.  While these amenities are very nice, it is the friendships we have made through warmshowers.org that will leave the lasting impression.

When pedaling into Safford, AZ, we were flagged down by a man running out of his house.  Initially we thought that we may have done something wrong, but it was only Mons - our soon to be friend.  Mons, an avid cyclist and outdoors man, had recently joined warmshowers.org and was eager to host us and hear our stories.  Mons lives in the house built by his great grandfather at the base of Mt. Graham.  The snow capped Mt. Graham stands at 10, 720 feet casting a shadow over Safford at the end of the day.  Also, we are told that the world's most powerful telescope is located at its top.  On short notice, Mons prepared copious amounts of spaghetti and rice pudding that tasted as good as anything we have ever eaten.  After dinner, Mons asked if we needed work done on our bikes.  We mentioned a few small things and before we knew it, Mons set up an impromptu bike shop complete with bike stand and all the necessary tools.  While working on the bikes we shared many stories and laughs with Mons and his son Bryce.  It was easy to see that Mons and his family enjoy life at the base of Mt. Graham - they are in their 4th generation in that household.  With luck Mons and his son Bryce (a cyclist as well) will continue to flag cyclists down as they pass through for many years to come.   

The next stop on our tour was Globe, AZ where we connected with Larry and Susan Hansen through warmshowers.org.  Larry, a father of 8 with 20+ grandchildren, has been cycling Arizona area for years.  Not to mention, he is an accomplised sky-diver as well.  Awhile back he rode from his home to Canada with his wife and a few of those 8 children.  Unfortunately, Susan had to run out for the night upon our arrival; however, she had prepared a delicious burrito spread that we thoroughly enjoyed.  During dinner we learned that Larry and Susan have been hosting cyclists for longer than warmshowers.org has existed.  To prove it, Larry showed us the pictures of all the cyclists who they have hosted, which are hanging on a wall in Larry's office each with a brief story about the rider(s).  After a plentiful breakfast the following morning, Larry made sure to get a picture of us with our bikes and gear.  We are happy to know that we will be joining the wall of the many cyclists from all over the world who have passed through the Hansen home.

Leaving the Hansen's, we climbed the Superior Mountains and descended in unreal riding conditions.  Adrenaline ran high as we whizzed (40mph+) through canyons, over bridges, and even through a tunnel at one point.  At the bottom of the seven mile descent we had that roller coaster feeling in which you really want to go back and do it again.  However, we continued forward to Phoenix where we are currently resting for our final push. As we make our way into California, we plan to keep using warmshowers.org.  We're also sure that we will continue to see more long distance cyclists, who will (like the ones in the past) wonder why we are going the wrong (harder) direction across the country.  The way we see it is that we started at sea level and we will be finishing at sea level.  And with less than 400 miles, the only direction we are thinking about is the one that takes us to San Diego.

For those keeping track, here is the tentative schedule of our trail to the Coast, leaving northern Phoenix on March 11:

3/11 Aguila, AZ (74 miles)
3/12 Quartzsite, AZ (67 miles)
3/13 Palo Verde, CA (42 miles)
3/14 Brawley, CA (68 miles)
3/15 Live Oak Springs, CA (75 miles)
3/16 SAN DIEGO, CA - Ocean Beach!! (68 miles)

Now this will most likely change (weather etc), but that's the framework we are using.  For some reason we think it might be fun to arrive on the 17th... Hope our friends are ready for us!