Roaming Cage Free

It’s 5am, and I’m prepping my GPS for today’s ride. Super excited, I’ve heard so much about the Arizona Challenge Coin, especially the road getting there.

Last night, the rain spared me (and my clean bike), although the thunderstorms southeast from my hotel were quite intense. Today promises clear skies all day!

I take the quick stint on the Interstate West, then head south along the Arizona state line on state route 191 towards Clifton. It’s a beautiful, clear morning. The ride starts off on a wider road, making good progress. It’s also fun to leave the desert once more and enter the national forest. Good times.

One last stop in Alpine (AZ). Let’s do this! The rumors were all true, if anything, they didn’t even give this road the reputation it deserves. It’s a state route, but the pavement was good to great throughout! Twists and turns are relentless. You can only guess the big grin under my bandana. I lost track of time and distance, just having some good tunes going, shifting down, revving up, braking hard, turning, and repeating. Awesome. I keep my GoPro running. Yes, even in time warp, it’s a long file. But hey, click anywhere in the video timeline, and you’ll get an idea of what I’m talking about… enjoy!

Ah, you’re back watching? Was it good for you, too? If I’d smoke, I’d need a few to relax! The end of SR-191 is unexpected, as it just opens up after a turn and underpass… a massive open pit mine. You ride straight through it.

My GPS is off; they actually tore off and relocated that stretch of highway. I watched the massive dump trucks – every 10 seconds or so, one 600 (?) ton load moving from the mountain to the crusher… crazy! The Morenci Mine visitor center is a great stop to learn about it (I visited their other copper mine near Tucson, which I thought was big, but this one topped it. They literally move mountains! (Mixed feelings though, as it’s exciting for me as an engineer to see, but sad as the person who loves mountains… you see it for yourself, would love to hear your thoughts).

Clifton stop for the Coin photo.

Not much time spent here, I’m good on gas, so let’s turn East. Another great road, and the mine disappears in the rearview mirror. It’s definitely getting hotter again; good riding. As I climb over the ridge on SR-78, clouds start forming on the horizon…

Now, I should say that the gas stop I had in Morenci should get me easily across through the forest to the next gas station “on the other side” (Datil, NM). I’m having fun on those twisty roads…

The clouds have gotten dark.
you can see the rain coming down in the distance. Ah, well, I think I’ll get around it… no such luck! Apache Creek is a mandatory stop. A state trooper closed the road ahead due to heavy downpours. That is my route! There is no gas here, so turning around will add another challenge.

I watch the weather radar and the sky – not really a gap in sight. After about 30 minutes, the trooper pulled off… that is my chance! It will be wet, but at least no hail or heavy rain. Batten down the hatches (=glasses, gloves, jacket). And the thunder rolls, and the lightning strikes… I cross a pass… yes, rain, but manageable. After 20 minutes, it’s all behind me. Hot air helps dry me out in no time.

The gas station in Datil exists. It’s full of political statements, and only regular gas (and no idea how long this was sitting there)… so, personal principles obeyed and confidence in my reserve calculation, I should make it to the next stop with 20 miles to spare. Ok, no stunts on that road.

One more stop – the VLR (Very Large Array) for me is a must-stop. I am late though, and the visitor center is 9 miles one way… I really don’t feel like risking that, pushing a 900 lbs bike doesn’t sound appealing. Plus, the wind picked up, and clouds once more are moving in… 

It was a great sight though… “Contact” made.

Headwind is not helping the gas mileage. Lucky for me, it’s all downhill past Magdalena (AZ) into Socorro. No pushing, didn’t have to tap into my spare 2-gallon reserve. And missed the heavy rain once more. Socorro is dry. Doing laundry is needed.

 And another bike hose down, combined with gas station supplies of beer and water, and McDonald’s for dinner (I was debating a taco shop next door, but rather play it safe…).