Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Sunday, March 28, 2010

Day Eight, Globe,Az. to Safford, Az. 77 miles

The day began with a long downhill from the Dream Manor Inn . We left State Route 60 and continued southeast on State Route 70. It was hilly with fun rollers to glide down and up over the next hill. The desert is green and snow still remains on some of the mountains.Around ten in the morning our good fortune changed. The wind picked up and of course it was in our face. Our pace dramatically slowed to a crawl. Luckily our dedicated SAG team came to our rescue. They delivered water, oranges and fig newtons. They drove ahead to find lunch and came back with Subway sandwiches and cold lemonade. There was no shade so we sat on suitcases beside the car.
Well nourished we continued onward to Safford. Several miles from Pima, we began to see signs advertising Taylor Freeze - malts, banana splits, 32 flavors of ice cream etc. Our mouths were watering but then we discovered that the shop was not open on Sundays.
Passing newly planted fields of cotton and a copper mine, we finally made it to Safford.
Mary Jo and Ruth

"Maybe we should reconsider knitting and quilting." -Ruth
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10 comments:

  1. John B.March 28, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Where, whilst mine eye with plenty feasts,
    Yet is my thirst not stanchèd;
    O Tantalus, thy pains ne'er tell!
    -- Michael Drayton. 1563–1631

    I remember someone on a previous ride talking about the 3 H's:
    Hills, heat and head winds.

    Sounds like you got all three plus the torments of Tantalus to boot.

    Hang in there, ladies!

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  2. DonMarch 28, 2010 at 7:47 PM

    Looks like you will make it to New Mexico tomorrow. That will be two states down and just a few to go. Texas can't be far away.

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  3. JodeeMarch 28, 2010 at 9:00 PM

    It was a cruel joke played on you to find the ice cream shop closed! NOT FAIR!! Your men have treated you well, but I'm worried about what you will do without them. But knitting and quilting aren't all their cracked up to be.

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  4. JodeeMarch 28, 2010 at 9:01 PM

    OK...I meant "they're". I shouldn't type so fast!

    ReplyDelete
  5. RaviMarch 29, 2010 at 5:02 AM

    "But there's nothing better than hiking and biking."

    ReplyDelete
  6. BeckyMarch 29, 2010 at 6:53 AM

    We're enjoying the commentary and the photos (and so impressed by your technical prowess, MJ). Thanks for sharing with all you stationary friends.

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  7. Cynthia SmithMarch 29, 2010 at 12:09 PM

    This is a highlight of my day to see your progress! I hope you are enjoying it as much as us! Still wish I could come be your SAG for the rest of the time after the hubbies leave.

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  8. NoraMarch 29, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    You're amazing! I'm loving your pics and posts. I'm so inspired by your energy that, from now on, I'm going to jog in place while I read your blog...huff, huff, puff, puff :) Be safe, ladies!

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  9. MaxannaMarch 29, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    I do hope that as I write this you're having a much better day on the road! But as always am enjoying your tales of adventure. Am looking forward to the next installment of your grand adventure!

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  10. SharonMarch 29, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    This is Matthews wife Sharon here! I'm loving following your adventure. Keep up the fun and great spirits during this amazing trip! I look forward to every installment!

    ReplyDelete

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