Winter blur part 3

March is Gila season, for so many reasons.

All winter is good out there, but in March the days are long, the nights warm, and the desert alive.

Cat was in town, and though we had just done a ~24 hour Gila bikepack with Alexis, it was time to head back out!

This time I threw a little twist into it, turning off the AZT to climb up a sandy wash.

Why ride up a sandy wash? So we can push bikes up a steep and rutted road, of course!

When roads take you places like this, who cares what shape they are in.

Down into Walnut Canyon we go.

Why?

So we can carry our bikes up the (flowing!) canyon, of course! Why else?

It was funny to see how Cat really lit up when we started going ‘off piste’ to bushwhack up the creekbed.

The goal, of course, was the fountain of youth for the Gila. The artesian well, the bubbly spring. Some have doubted its existence!

Nobody doubts that the Gila is all about climbing. Whether trail or road, you better have some legs.

The evening was upon us, and it was exactly where we wanted to be.

We climbed a few hills into the setting sun, ending up just above the seep. A wet camp, in Gila country. How fortunate.

What did I say about not doubting the climbs? Time to climb away!

There’s so much to distract you, sometimes it doesn’t feel like climbing at all.

Cathedrals of rock.

Bright cacti.

Wending our way into the inner canyon.

Cat had the quote of the trip, “when I die, I want to go here.” This led to me realizing the Gila really is bikepacker’s heaven. There’s so much here.

We blasted down to Picketpost, narrowly avoiding our first rattlesnake of the year. It was a big one that slithered back into its hole after I passed by.

We had the brilliant idea to make an ice cream run in Superior, completely enabled by the fact that Eszter had brought her wallet, while neither Cat or I had any money. Dairy Queen is long closed, but we heard rumors of an actual ice cream shop in the old downtown area.

So we bailed on plans to return on Orphan Boy / AZT, instead riding the LOST trail into town. We pedaled slowly through town, as it always is, climbing into Superior with thirsty lips and tired legs. Our fingers were crossed, hoping the ice cream rumors were true. We asked about and were directed to continue climbing.

Sweet! It exists. But the local said the hours were funny, she didn’t think it would be open.

More crossing of fingers, we climbed still more, spying every burnt out and boarded up building, searching for signs of frozen dairy delight. Finally the small shop came into view, and it was lit up. It’s open! There was much rejoicing, much hollering. Then Eszter saw something as we parked our bikes. “Cash only??? OH NO!”

I didn’t get it at first. No biggie, just go get cash. Oh, she only has a credit card! No cash back. But, but… we give them card, they give us yum yum. That’s how it’s supposed to work!

The people outside the ice cream shop witnessed quite the scene, as three bikepackers were nearly brought to tears. The anticipation, the build up, the suspense, the elation when we found it open. Our salivary glands had already activated in anticipation. And then to have it so cruelly whisked away!

Oh, it was heart breaking.

I mean, we almost died rolling 2 blocks down the street, picking up ice cream sandwiches from the market, where Eszter’s money was good. Yum yum.

Now there was just the small detail of a few 10% hills to climb before bombing down to Kelvin, where a Sportsvan was waiting to take us to La Casita, for good grub. We corrected the imbalance in the bikepacking universe caused by the ‘cash only’ sign by getting more ice cream at the Casita. Balance restored.

Camp Cat, as we affectionately called Cat’s visit, had other rides on it, too. Some I skipped for computer time.

It’s a good thing I didn’t skip this one.

Camp Cat transitioned to Camp Tucson, where some friends from all over got together for a little desert riding and AZT prep.

Our house was packed, and it was great to see friends, great to show them our corner of the world. But I came down with a cold just as camp was getting going. I got dropped straight away on Redington, spending the rest of the time dribbling through it. I had to skip the next two days rides, and spend a few awkward nights sick with a full house. I loved hearing all the stories from the rides, especially over tacos at the Ranchito.

Luckily it was just a small cold, so I was back at it for the Techy Taco ride. We ended up at the Lunch Rock early (instead of our usual time — right at sunset).

We wandered around the CP/Deer Camp area looking for new lines. Lots of promise, few actual fun and rideable lines. Such as the above sequence scouted and ridden by Tim.

Lower down, some more new fun.

Domes and bikes, a winning combo.

oops, retry

Tim had to boogie, Chad and I decided to climb CP to go ride Baby J.

At the top, we decided we had enough daylight to try Buddha. I had the GPX on my handlebars, waiting for such an occasion. I also had a surprisingly good memory of many of the features on it.

We kept the fumbling around to a minimum, and were quickly down and to the goods.

Buddha was shown to me by Louis Gomez some years ago. A brilliant find and combo of open rock, game and cow trails.

This area is the highlight. A huge swath of rock visible throughout the 50.

Complete with halfpipe, set to a Samaniego backdrop.

There’s a drop at the bottom I came oh-so-close to riding on my old bike, some years ago. With the “Lunchbox” I nailed it. Measurable progress, yeah!

We had just enough daylight to rejoin Buddha’s counterpart, Baby Jesus, and rip down it, on out to burritos.

Four new Rampage tires arrived by mail. It was time to switch into full AZT prep mode. Just a couple days to wrap everything up on the computer, air up tires, pack up the kits, and go ride singletrack across the state! Excitement level high! AZT trip report is up next!!!