Doesn't get much better than this ...

Out on the road a bit before 5am with the plan to do 135 miles and 12,500 ft of climbing. All went really well. The Surefire headlamp lit up the night. The roads were virtually empty. The rear Conti Hard Shell Gatorskin with two (count 'em, two) tire liners handled well.

Made the first turnaround where paved road ran out on Iron Springs (toward the town of Skull Valley) and returned to the HQ in Prescott for quick change into dry clothes ready for the heat of the day. 

Took off toward Congress, up and over the Bradshaw mountains and down to Wilhoit when the RD wouldn't shift. Stopped to diagnose problem. 

Took over half an hour to finally ID that the set screw for high gear had cracked (?!! SRAM X0?!!) and was half in/out. Killed the Garmin at that point and called the posse (my patient and forbearing wife) for a rescue.

Still 45 miles and 6,200 ft of climbing is better'n a sharp stick in the eye. Felt fresh and ready for another 90 miles and another 6,300 ft of climbing. Probably do it on Monday or Tuesday, instead.

Waited for my wife at the Burro Inn and Saloon in `Nowhere, AZ.' Too early for them to open but spoke with owner and his daughter about the dozens of people killed over the past few years while kareening over the Bradshaw mountains on the White Spars. Finally got some names that go with some of the road shrines along the road.

Plan to drive back to the Burro Saloon for a few cold ones and a home made pizza pretty soon.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/304095072