Arizona; final thoughts and fond memories

Yesterday, Tuesday February 1st, I rode 75kms from Bowie, AZ–pronounced BOO-ee, not Ziggy Stardust–across the border into New Mexico and arrived at the outskirts of Lordsburg. Having lunch at the rest-stop about a mile west of the Arizona/New Mexico border, I chatted with George. While he seemed particularly interested in telling me about the mix-matched tires on his employer’s pick-up truck, he did mention that the roads in New Mexico were noticeably better than in Arizona. Grunting unenthusiastically at his observation, I got back on the bike and continued east along Interstate #10.

Within moments of crossing the border, George’s prophecy came true. Though not actually riding on the road itself, I did notice that the quality of the shoulder was significantly better than any I’d experienced along the Arizona freeways. Perhaps more importantly for a cyclist, was the near total absence of debris, particularly all those pieces of shredded big-rig tires that plagued me in Arizona.

Reflecting on my time in Arizona, I have mixed feelings. Without question, Tucson is a great city with lots of cyclists, cycling infrastructure and an energetic North 4th Avenue. As mentioned in a previous posting, the ride up Mount Lemon certainly ranks among the high-lights of my trip. If taking cold medicines – order levitra online Some medications which are very important for any men who are experiencing the erectile dysfunction Drugs work in a similar way for treatment. Not everybody who masturbates is sexually addicted, if you are then you don’t need to levitra generic cialis get an orgasm to enjoy sex. There is raindogscine.com viagra samples a method to make all Mississippi voters matter in all elections. Kamagra jellies, soft tablets and the effervescent formula help ED patients to avail the drug conveniently. online viagra sales The people I met were all very friendly and I enjoyed getting to know Micah–my couchsurfing host–very much and hope one day to return to get to know him better. The ladies were particularly easy on the eyes and I even found a descent cup of coffee at The Safehouse. Bicycle-touring in Arizona, however, is another story.

As mentioned above, shards of metal from truck tires were ever-present, as were the cacti needles which combined, cost me three punctures. Campgrounds were nearly non-existent and with the desert nearly devoid of trees, finding somewhere inconspicuous to set-up camp proved very difficult indeed. Tombstone was tourist-cheesy, but heck, when the bar floozies[actors/servers] flirt like that, you can’t help but have a smile on your face.

Without question, the landscape–though mostly rock, sand, cows, cacti and abandoned buildings–was breathtaking, particularly against the backdrop of such incredible azure skies. What I did find surprising was the volatility of the weather, where in minutes the bright sun could be covered by dark black clouds; the wind could whip-up at a moment’s notice and even hail greeted me on several morning occasions. I can only imagine what the summers must be like!

In my final estimation, Arizona would be better traveled by motor-bike than by bicycle but, once in Tucson, the bicycle is well at home and I would happily return to ride Mt Lemon again and again.