{"id":19587,"date":"2016-05-03T23:50:03","date_gmt":"2016-05-04T03:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=19587"},"modified":"2016-05-04T07:23:50","modified_gmt":"2016-05-04T11:23:50","slug":"day-11-tuesday-may-3-globe-to-safford-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=19587","title":{"rendered":"Day 11. Tuesday, May 3 – Globe to Safford, Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"

A gradual mile climb up and six miles down with not a bit of wind; it was a glorious start to the morning. \u00a0The climbs and drops were gradual and enjoyable,\"DSCN0815\"<\/a> we were really enjoying the quiet, cool morning. \u00a0The majesty of the hills\"DSCN0786\"<\/a> and the land\"DSCN0799\"<\/a> is impossible to describe or convey in photographs.\"IMG_1993\"<\/a> \u00a0Ten minutes down the road, we entered the San Carlos Apache Tribe Reservation. \u00a0We were enjoying the morning (and no wind), rolling up and down the hills in the cool morning. \"DSCN0817\"<\/a>\u00a0We’d pumped out 20 miles by our first stop, only an hour and half in. \u00a0We chatted with an Apache\"DSCN0824\"<\/a> and discussed our different modes of transportation.<\/p>\n

The landscape continued to engage us,\"IMG_2006\"<\/a> from the towering mountains\"DSCN0827\"<\/a> to the smallest of flowers; \"DSCN0835\"<\/a>the layers of hills and mountains framing our horizon. \u00a0But nothing\u00a0was so dramatic\"DSCN0867\"<\/a> in it’s beauty\"IMG_2021\"<\/a> as this blooming cactus.\"IMG_2019\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortly before ten, the forecasted SE winds announced their\u00a0arrival and intention to blow strictly west, directly in our face. \u00a0Though only 10 mph, not nearly the force of yesterday, it quickly drained any\u00a0reserve\u00a0our legs had. \u00a0Our pace slowed dramatically, eight miles in an hour. \u00a0Just before noon, we took another rest and advantage of an Apache market for an early\u00a0lunch. \u00a0With \u00a0a lot of miles to cover, we only stopped for 30 minutes. \u00a0Though it had been 83\u00b0 in the shade of our stop, our thermometers quickly rose to the triple digits after a few minutes in full sun.\"DSCN0868\"<\/a> The rolling hills soon became a struggle in the wind.\"DSCN0840\"<\/a>We again passed dried river beds\"IMG_2024\"<\/a> and one that actually had\u00a0water.\"DSCN0821\"<\/a> \u00a0In the distance at the base of the mountain, \"IMG_2028\"<\/a>green abound near the Gila River. \u00a0Five hours and 40 miles since entering the reservation, \"DSCN0889\"<\/a>we finally found the end. \u00a0Nothing changed much, other than the roadside became cleaner. \u00a0Continuous trash and glass is something we have sadly noticed in any reservation in which we have biked.<\/p>\n

We had been watching this mountain top for hours, \"IMG_2038\"<\/a>not believing we\u00a0could actually\u00a0see snow while struggling\u00a0in the 100\u00b0 sun. \u00a0Mt. Graham stands at 10,720 feet, so yes, it is snow.\"IMG_2039\"<\/a>After over 500 miles in the “Old West”,\"DSCN0912\"<\/a> we see our first horses.\"DSCN0919\"<\/a> Our last stop was cool, refreshing and an unexpected treat.\"IMG_2045\"<\/a> \u00a0Taylor Freeze in Pima has been a welcome and friendly respite for bicyclists doing the coast to coast ride.\"DSCN0916\"<\/a> \u00a0We could use them at the end of every<\/em> day’s ride. \u00a0We had ten more miles and thankfully our last stop had given us the much needed energy to make it. \u00a0After seven and a half hours of sitting on the bike, willing it to go forward, we finally rolled into our room for the night. \u00a0It was a long hard 76 miles and we were spent.<\/p>\n

We would like to thank Everyone<\/em> that has commented thus far. \u00a0Rest assured, though we may not respond, we read each one…..Thank You!<\/p>\n\n\t\t