Day 4 - 102 Mi to Cottonwood, AZ

Today was one of my best cycling days I have ever had despite the three major mountain climbs with 8500 feet of climbing. The route was mostly out hwy 89 and then to 89A and covered about 104 miles.  The views were unbelievable! We left the motel this morning under clear skies and cool temperatures in the 60s.    The weather was absolutely gorgeous which made the climbing a lot better.  

A couple riders and I stopped at Haunted Hamburger in Jerome, AZ to get dinner before we finished. Great place in an old mining town   It was a good thing the last 15 miles were downhill to the motel as pedaling with a full stomach would have been tough  

In spite of the 8500 ft of climbing we had today, everyone seemed to do well and enjoyed the change of pace and the weather and the descents were amazing...technical, but full of exciting hairpins, fast straight aways, and bumpy roadways.  I hit a top speed of 47.3 MPH  I also had my first flat tire caused by what the call a goat head. (in picture below)

Tomorrow we head to Winslow and go stand on the corner. During the prep meeting the ride leader said we will think we rode on about 4 different planets tomorrow as we'll start in high desert, ride through the red rocks of Sedona, go up Oak Creek Canyon, through the big city of Flagstaff, then out in the wide open spaces to Winslow. 

Here are some photos of today:

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

The pace line

What a back drop

Goathead causes flat tire

See how tiny it is?

Oh yeah, my first flat tire

Traveling through Prescott, AZ

One of today's awesome descents

Jim Jenkins and I after climbing Mount Mingus

Max Speed 43.7 MPH

Outside the Haunted Hamburger in Jerome, AZ

The View from the deck of the Haunted Hamburger.  The town below is Cottonwood, AZ