Friday's Route
I really don't like the Interstate. Can you tell?

Other than a couple of delays due to construction (Ortega Highway and Hwy 62 at 177) and a camera on the highway in Prescott Valley (yes,I smiled), it was a pretty glorious ride. It consisted of about 30 miles of Interstate. The balance was two lane blacktop. I still managed to make it to camp by 4:30. It got a little exciting before I got to Parker. I had hoped to get gas in Vidal Junction, but the attendant was "out to lunch" even though it was only 9:30 am. The yellow light had already been on for a while, so I cruised slowly (55 mph) into Parker where I pumped 6.76 gallons into my 6.6 gallon tank. This set a personal best of 258 miles on a tank; one milestone I hope I never try to break. Those last 19 miles were nerve wrecking. 

Photos from the Rally

Note: There were really more people here than what the pictures depict. They were (mostly) taken on Saturday afternoon while the majority of the participants were out on either a GS ride or poker run.

Sunday morning, I'm up early but maybe not early enough. I'm ready to leave right after sunrise. I was concerned about the heat in the desert, but more so about the deer and elk in the neighborhood. I made a quick stop for gas in Payson, but the Denny's around the corner grabbed me, so I was late coming "down the hill". It warmed up pretty quick and I had my liner and my heavy gloves off before I reached Phoenix.

Did I say it was hot? I stopped for gas in Ehrenberg. I also reloaded my Camelbak which had been empty for half an hour. I unpacked my sweatshirt, soaked it down and put it on over my tee shirt. I drank a bottle of Gatorade. Addressed another electrical gremlin. Oh yeah, did I mention I had another electrical problem? As I moved the bike from the gas pump to the convenience store, I noticed my head light was not on. "Great" I thought. I unpacked my camping gear and installed a new load shed relay. I quickly repacked the camping gear and checked the headlight. Now, you're probably saying "shouldn't you check the headlight before repacking the camping gear. In most cases, I would agree, but in this case there was no need for such frivolity. You see, I've had a history of a problematic load shed relay. It had the classic "bubble" that it gets every time it fails. I know I had a bad relay. Turn the switch; no headlight. I see something strange. In the reflection of the plate glass storefront window, I see the reflection of the tiny 3 watt parking light. Whenever the relay would blow, there would be no parking light. I turn my attention to the high beam switch. I slowly reach for it and flick it to "high". The high beam comes on. Yes, I now have another electrical gremlin. Somehow, the low beam light has failed. What could that be? It's not on a separate relay. It doesn't have it's own circuit. I checked the fuse. There could only be one answer. That's right, I have a burned out headlight bulb. Drats! Well, I'm not changing headlight bulbs in this heat. I leave the high beam light on and head towards home.

Did I say it was hot? I'm not used to this heat this early in the season. I make it home in 8-1/2 hours and later find out it was 108^oF in the desert today. 

Total for the trip: 1,088 miles.