Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Day #10: Bisbee to Portal, AZ – The Desert Tailwind Deliverance

What a difference a day makes! After the brutal headwind and climbing into Bisbee yesterday, Day #10 was a complete 180-degree turn, giving us the well-deserved desert tailwind deliverance. Our route today took us 86 miles with a manageable 2,300 feet of climbing from Bisbee, AZ, to the tiny, beautiful community of Portal, AZ.

The Morning on Lowell Street

We kicked off the morning with a highlight that any Bisbee visitor should put on their list: Breakfast on Lowell Street! Tucked right next door to the massive, eye-catching Lavender Pit copper mine, we fueled up while enjoying the quirky, historic charm of the area. It was the perfect low-key start before hitting the road.

A Tailwind and a Monument

Once we rolled out of town, we immediately noticed the magic: the weather had cleared, and the winds had shifted favorably to the Southwest! Instead of battling a constant wall of air, the wind was mostly at our backs, gently (or sometimes eagerly!) propelling us forward.

The afternoon brought us to a poignant historical landmark: the Geronimo Surrender National Monument in the aptly named Apache, AZ. It was a powerful, quiet moment to reflect on the history of the region and the incredible landscape we were riding through.

Three States and a Sweet Reward

Our route for the day followed US-80, eventually taking us right across the state line and into New Mexico! We, of course, stopped for photos at the border crossing. 

Although we technically clipped into New Mexico, our home for the night is just back across the border in Portal, AZ. The Portal Lodge served up a fantastic dinner that had the whole team refueled and feeling good. There's nothing like a great meal and a clear night sky after a long day in the saddle.

Looking Ahead: Stretching for 100

With our legs feeling surprisingly fresh thanks to today's generous tailwind, we are ready to take on a bit longer challenge tomorrow. We’re stretching the route out to nearly 100 miles as we head east from Portal to Columbus, NM, on NM-SR 9. We're anticipating a long, sunny day in the desert with more favorable winds to help us get solidly into New Mexico!


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Strava Activities Link


Geronimo Surrender Monument

Lavender Copper Mine Pit

One of many cars on quirky Lowell Street

The vistas today were amazing!

Rattlesnake Tail Sculpture




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