Day four was a long haul on the bike, covering the 88 miles between Welton and Gila Bend, Arizona. The heat, as expected, was a major factor—it was a solid 100∘F when we finally rolled into Gila Bend. However, we beat a good portion of the intense desert sun by getting an early start.
The ride itself was spectacular. We pedaled right through the heart of the Sonoran Desert, and the landscape was breathtaking. We grabbed some fantastic photos of the vast desert scenery and even got passed by quite a few long trains cutting across the plains.
Unexpected Encounters
One of the best parts of the day was the continuation of a friendship we made yesterday: Kent. He's a remarkable gentleman, 81 years old and riding self-supported all the way from San Diego to Jacksonville. He joined us for breakfast this morning and again for dinner tonight—it's inspiring to share the road, and a meal, with a rider like him.
Americana Found
As we pulled into Gila Bend, I finally started to see the Americana I've been looking for! Our team is staying at the perfectly named Best Western Space Age Lodge—you really have to check out the retro-futuristic architecture!
Dinner was across the street at Little Italy, which has its own claim to fame; apparently, Prince Harry stopped here in 2011 for a slice when he was in training at a nearby military installation. Naturally, I followed his lead and ordered the Meat Lovers Pizza!
It was an all-around excellent day on the bike. The teammates put in some strong effort, and we feel great as we look ahead to tomorrow.
What's Next?
Tomorrow is slated to be a slightly shorter, and hopefully, easier ride as we head to Casa Grande, AZ, which sits just south of Phoenix. From there, we'll be on the home stretch to Tucson for our first much-needed rest day on Saturday!
What do you think of the Best Western Space Age Lodge's theme? It's definitely a unique place to rest up!
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| Kent - 81 Years Young and Self-Supporting Coast to Coast! |
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| Check out the link above...pictures do not tell the whole story! |
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| RJB, Prince Harry and Little Italy! |
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| Great Vistas Today! |
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| The Trains Will Blow Their Horn Too! |
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