Day 6: Wednesday

Time in motion: 3:44:11
Distance: 54.0 mi.
Average: 14.45 mph.
Maximum: 25.7 mph.
Climbed: 880 ft.
Temp: 47-97°F

Today we continued our eastward progress on US 60.  It was really an uneventful ride.

We climbed almost the whole way but the grade was gentle and posed no trouble for us.  The scenery was basically the same the entire day.  There were mountains in all directions and large cacti scattered here and there.  It’s interesting to see the sun creep up over the mountaintops to the east, knowing you’ll be on the other side of those mountains in just a few hours.  Pedaling over the horizon like that gives a person a special appreciation of space and geography.

When I rode through Wenden I saw a few interesting signs that gave me a good laugh.  I didn’t stop to rest there, however.  I continued on to Aquila, where Jesse and I enjoyed breakfast at Big Mama’s Café.  Their sign says "bikers welcome" and their slogan is “Get in here and eat!”  So, we did.  It was very busy and the wait was long, but the food was good.

When I arrived in Wickenburg, it was too early to check into our motel, the Best Western, so we rode to the Gold Nugget restaurant for lunch.  It’s a very nice restaurant.  We felt a little out of place in our sweaty biker shorts and jerseys.  The other patrons were kind and didn’t seem too bothered, so we enjoyed our lunches.

After check-in and showers, we walked around the town.  The traffic is absolutely insane.  Wickenburg is an old gold mining town turned tourist trap.  It’s proudly referred to as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the World!”  Jesse and I visited the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.  The price of admission was a bit steep at $7.50, but it was impressive and informative so I was not disappointed.  Next came the daily serving of ice cream.  This time we stopped at the Chaparral Ice Cream Parlor for some delicious “homemade” treats. 

As we continued our walk around town, we stopped at the Catholic Church (it was locked, unfortunately), visited a wishing well and a “jail tree,” where they used to chain prisoners prior to construction of the town jail. 

Now we are just sitting in the motel after going to Subway for supper, a “fresh” change from the small town greasy spoon fare we’ve been enjoying the last week.

There is only about 60 miles to Phoenix.  That’s only two more short days of riding.