Day 8: Friday

Time in motion: 1:39:02
Distance: 22.6 mi.
Average: 13.7 mph.
Maximum: 22.7 mph.
Climbed: 300 ft.
Temp: 75-92°F

After donuts in the motel, we rejoined the route on the Arizona Canal Bike Path.  We pedaled through more residential areas, and eventually crossed the Tempe River Lake.  We rode through the Arizona State University campus, an area of town filled with interesting shops and architecture.

After dropping our bikes off at Tempe Bicycle to be packaged for the trip home, we walked to the Motel 6 on Van Buren, about a three mile hike.  Unfortunately our map wasn’t very good for this area and we ended up walking a few extra miles, all the while wearing our bike shorts and jerseys.  I was getting frustrated because it was very hot and I was extremely thirsty but there were no C-stores in sight.  Eventually we found a store, asked directions, got something to drink, and found the motel.  The Motel 6 is in a terrible location, unfortunately.  It is surrounded by freeways and road, but there are no services nearby except a single C-store. 

We ordered pizza for lunch and got some rest before walking the three miles to Tempe Bicycle.  We picked up our packaged bikes and called a cab to help us haul them back to the motel.  As usual, the cabbie was a colorful character.  We called for a van but he showed up in a nice sedan of some kind.  Somehow we managed to cram both bicycles, in their boxes, into the back seat.  The three of us were cozily crammed in the front seat for the ride back.  During the ride, the driver shared all kinds of nasty, racist jokes with us.  Thankfully, it was a short ride.

Back at the Motel 6, we scheduled a cab to pick us up early in the morning and we finally relaxed.  We were tired from all the walking today. 

The riding was easy, except for one thing I didn’t mention yet.  In Tempe there is a lot of new construction.  We were riding on a street somewhere northwest (I think) of Arizona State U when I decided, because of all the traffic cones and obstructions ahead, that I should merge right, up a driveway, and onto the bike path/sidewalk.  At the last second in this maneuver, I realized there was a 1” vertical rise between the asphalt and the concrete gutter.  Since I wasn’t approaching at a 90-degree angle, my tire stayed on the asphalt and I flopped onto the pavement.  I got a little road rash and some dirt (which you can see in the picture above), but thankfully no injuries or mechanical problems. Yep, that’s right.  I crashed within a mile or two of the end of our trip. 

Tomorrow morning we depart at 6 a.m.  It’s going to be an early morning.