Day 11-12 - Taking a Rain Check

After a relaxed start to Friday, another map reading error meant the easy 50 mile ride into Phoenix was actually over 70 to get the motel. A situation not improved by rain for the first 3 hours and a puncture 15 miles in. The latter took well over 30 mins to fix, as the first of the 2 spare inner tubes used had a faulty valve, and the new tyre was stiff to remove. Even the endless F22s flying in formation out of Luke Airforce Base didn't really cheer me up, and I was glad to see the sun, as I hit the city.

The ride through the sprawl of Phoenix took me through the heart of suburbia and along the Arizona canal, which was more interesting than it sounds. Phoenix has exploded in the last 60-70 years, and it's fascinating to see the 60s/70s suburban dream writ large, and what parts of Americana have survived the desert setting. The green lawns are replaced by manicured desert scrub with cactus and desert shrubs but mail boxes remain. And whilst not every building hits the mark, many of the modernist designs are genuinely cool. Phoenix certainly looks distinctly individual, and for me that's a good thing.

Gone straight in the diary

That said, I saw nothing of the city centre. And who knows, I might've missed out on one of the great experiences in life, but that was a risk I was willing to take as I checked into the motel nearest to the Arizona State University in Tempe, ironed a shirt and the chinos and headed out to find the best bars in town. A fruitless search as it turned out, as the only bars I poked my head into frankly scared me. I was back bed in the motel, defeated, by 22:00, disappointed the "student sports team" the owner had informed me were also staying, were a blokes racquetball team from Penn State.

Today has always been a planned stop, and it's huge relief it fell on the day it did. I woke up to torrential rain and the temperature had plummeted significantly. It's been a perfect day to stay put and get next 2 weeks planned up, and rest the legs in front of Star Wars and Indiana Jones. My only ventures outside, bar lunch and supper, were to the laundrette and to get my wheel trued and pick up supplies from the "granola eaters" (copyright P. Luken) at REI (outdoors superstore - great chain). 

Pretty sure I'm the only man to have visited that particular laundrette in a T.M. Lewin Shirt and brogues, with a book on the financial crisis for company. However, all my cultured affectations proved worthless when faced with the complexities of the laundry machines. The other customers were seriously kind and patient in helping me out, walking me through process and generally not pointing out what an incompetent I was being. They were also great company, and once you throw in a visit to the Mexican supermarket next door that seemed to do a roaring trade in religious icons along with bread and milk, it made for an interesting hour. That said, I'm looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow, as the weather improves.

One final point, apologies on the quality of photos today, all a bit rushed and dictated by rain as to when I could take shots. 

Route - Wickenburg - Sun City - Scottsdale - Tempe

Friday

Breakfast - Lucky charms and bagel at the motel.

Snacks - Beef Jerky

Lunch - Mozzarella and Tomato sandwich with gazpacho soup - Bike Cafe. Absolutely delicious, and extra special after a week of burgers. Awesome cafe too, literally in the corner of a bike shop, odd but it worked.

Supper - Chicken Salad - Pita Jungle. Again delicious. Great little chain.

Saturday

Breakfast - Frosties and English muffin

Lunch - Lamb Kofta salad. Pita Jungle.

Supper - Not sure yet, just about to go.