Day 11 - Globe to Safford, AZ

Today we rode 84 miles and climbed 1245 feet. Mostly overcast with occasional tailwinds (yay!) Terrain was rolling hills the first part, then flat agricultural area with lots of alfalfa and signs of water. We started with cactus beside the road, and graduated to mesquite bushes. The photo shows the flat terrain with snow dust on peaks to the south.
We were all warm and hungry during the ride. The next photos show Bob G tanking up, and Rhodri, Carol and Bob Pedersen enjoying ice cream.
In the San Diego hostel we met Frank from Ohio, who was planning to also bike the Southern Tier route. Cynthia and her husband (now riding with Frank) were waitlisted for our ride. It filled up in December, much earlier than prior years. Today we met up with Frank and the others in Pima; the next photo is Cynthia and Frank. We see them every day or two.
We are camped tonight at Roper Lake State Park, five miles south of Safford. The showers are great! Jerry is showing his solar charger for his smart phone, while the rest of us scrounge for outlets.
This was the first day our leader, Mitch, was able to complete a ride. (Until Phoenix he was driving the van; yesterday his rear bike tire blew out.) The last photo shows him rolling into camp, happily tired.