Dateland to Gila Bend, AZ
Daily Route
Daily Elevation
Brrrrr. Cold morning down in the 30’s. I was so bundled up and cozy in the tent when I awoke and looked at the clock, it was 8:17 AM already. Wow…I guess we got a good nights sleep. The plan from the night before was to ride between 9:30 and 10 AM, so Tim and I are now in a bit of a hurry.
Jackie made oatmeal today for breakfast that was really good. There is an advantage of having her and Jimmy sleeping in the trailer because they seem to rise earlier and prepare breakfast. Because of the cold, no one was in too much of a hurry to leave, but by 10 AM everyone was saddled up and ready to go.
Jackie made oatmeal today for breakfast that was really good. There is an advantage of having her and Jimmy sleeping in the trailer because they seem to rise earlier and prepare breakfast. Because of the cold, no one was in too much of a hurry to leave, but by 10 AM everyone was saddled up and ready to go.
Almost ready to get going
Patrick positioned himself this morning for some great parting shots:
Leaving the campground
Exiting the campground area
The entire route of today’s ride is on Interstate 8. Nothing really to look forward to. It really just feels like these past few days we are just getting miles in.
 Another day, another interstate |  After this stop, there is nothing for the next 30 miles |
The first stop is the only stop on the route today since there is no other exit between here and Gila Bend. Just a small gas station called, appropriately, Conde's Middle of Nowhere Gas & Groceries. The worker here confirmed that there is an access road we can ride on instead of the Interstate. He was concerned about the surface since it is used primarily for agriculture equipment. We may check it out.
I guess we did have a little excitement today when I found a wire sticking out of my tire. After a small operation performed by Bill, it was found that the wire didn't puncture the tube. Bonus!
Bill operating on Gerri's tire
Back on the road, and back on Interstate 8.
About 1 hour later we exited the Interstate to check out the access road. Is this the wrong way to go? We will soon see...
Wrong way?
We got on the access road that didn't look too bad, but soon it became laden with cracks and holes, so 4 miles later we re-entered the interstate for the next 9 miles until we exited at Gila Bend.
Just before the exit I received a text from Patrick saying, "Old McDonald had a farm. Ei-I-Oh. And on that McDonald's farm he had a..." This was following by another text, "Find out in two miles." Hum...
We then found out what the texts meant when we saw him on the side of the road, dressed in bicycle gear, taking pictures. He then led us the last 3 miles to the campground.
Just before the exit I received a text from Patrick saying, "Old McDonald had a farm. Ei-I-Oh. And on that McDonald's farm he had a..." This was following by another text, "Find out in two miles." Hum...
We then found out what the texts meant when we saw him on the side of the road, dressed in bicycle gear, taking pictures. He then led us the last 3 miles to the campground.
Welcome to Gila Bend
Patrick leading us "home"
Tonight we are staying in a KOA. It is a really nice facility. The tent sites have a gravel pad for setting up your tent and a concrete pad with a picnic table and grill. There is even individual lights for each tent site.
Luxurious tent sites (Mary's tent)
For dinner most ate hamburgers (Mel and I ate leftover pasta) and homemade french fries. Another delicious meal followed by the conclusion of last nights movie, The Patriot. Tomorrow we are off the interstate...woohoo, but it is supposed to be raining and cold in the morning. I guess we will have to wait and see how the weather is when we wake up.
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