Day 43: “7:10 to Yuma”

Wednesday November 9, 2011, 107 miles (172 km) – Total so far: 2,420 miles (3,894 km)

We boarded our bikes at 7:10 for the ride to Yuma! I was surprised at all the farmland instead of the expected desert. We made good time for the first several hours with a slight tailwind. The first pass was at Mohawk Valley and there were mountains! The climb was easy and we stopped for a quick lunch at a Chevron station in Tacna. After lunch the wind was more cross and head. We had a long day ahead so powered through it. We came to our first larger Telegraph Pass at 767 feet. This isn’t much if your bike is working but mine failed the first three gears. I ended up walking some until it flattened out and I physically moved the chain in the rear to the 3rd gear. What a pain. I finally nursed it over the top when the head winds really picked up. We pulled into Yuma at sunset after 107 miles (our record!) and found a motel since all the camping sites are for RV’s. After another sink laundry and showers we went next door to a Pizza Hut for their delicious buffet at $8. And the beer was only $2 a glass. The question of the day: Why is it that at the end of the day as you are headed into a town do the winds pick up and become headwinds? Just wondering. What a beautiful country!

Farmland west of Gila Bend instead of the expected desert.
Farmland west of Gila Bend instead of the expected desert.

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Interesting but I don't know what it is.
Interesting but I don’t know what it is.
Corn in the desert!
Corn in the desert!
Water trucks.
Water trucks.
A solar project west of Gila Bend.
A solar project west of Gila Bend.

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They got that right!
They got that right!
Sentinel School - Home of the Roadrunners. Could this be a K-12 school?
Sentinel School – Home of the Roadrunners. Could this be a K-12 school?
Resting at a rest stop.
Resting at a rest stop.

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Mohawk Pass.
Mohawk Pass.
I think this is a real mountain.
I think this is a real mountain.

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I can't see pitching a tent in this camping site.
I can’t see pitching a tent in this camping site.
Going down Telegraph Pass into Yuma.
Going down Telegraph Pass into Yuma.

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After 107 miles with a loaded bike you would look like this too!
After 107 miles with a loaded bike you would look like this too!
Tight fit.
Tight fit.
Two bikes and bikers in the motel elevator.
Two bikes and bikers in the motel elevator.

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