3-15-15 Phoenix to Gold Canyon, AZ 60 miles

This was a day after our rest day.  Bikes were repaired (Jill was especially happy!), bodies were recovered, and the route was flat, smooth, cool and beautiful as we rode through Scottsdale.  This is Sunday, and there were many other riders and walkers enjoying the day.  The last 20 miles were very hot and windy, however, and we got practice maneuvering through streets filled with construction.  There was one very strong gust in an intersection that suddenly changed direction, knocking over the saw-horse signs around us! Jude was almost blown into another rider!  

3/14/15 Phoenix Rest Day (Pi Day 3.1415) 0 miles

Rest days are reserved for laundry and bike cleaning which most of us did.  There was a bike shop nearby - Exhale Bike shop which has the greatest staff!  The owners are a husband and wife team, Nathaniel and Jesse, who treated the WomanTours riders with extra special attention.  Jill had some extensive work done on her bike that was very impressive!

3/13/15 Wickenburg to Phoenix ~ 66 miles

Today we had 50 miles of uphill with a strong head winds and chip seal...however, once we got close to Phoenix (smoother shoulder) we started downhill and made a turn, all those problems were forgotten as we sailed the last 16 miles!

Once arriving in the Deer Valley (15 miles north of downtown )  Phoenix, we settled in for two nights and a rest day.  The next day we would be saying good bye to Carol Wilder and Patty Jackson, our ride leaders.  They were with us to mentor the new ride leaders and they have been doing wonderfully.  As Carol says, we will be fine!

3/12/15 Salome to Wickenburg, AZ 56 miles

Salome to Wickenburg was an easy day.  The temp started out at 60, but quickly climbed to 80.  The sky was overcast much of the time, wind was light, and there were some climbs, but much of the time was 1-2% downhill.  Doesn't get much better than that!