Houston, we have a problem! I have major left knee pain ( more on this later in this post ). It was a double long sleeve shirt morning at just 53 degrees at 6am. Believe me, I am not complaining. It's amazing how much the temperature swings here in the desert in 24 hours. The morning lows can be in the 50's and the highs can be in the 100's all in the same day. I was happy to have a relatively flat terrain day. Or so I thought. My maps showed the elevation profile to be flat but it sure didn't feel flat. I actually nicknamed today's ride as the roller coaster. Within the first few miles of today's ride I was crossing into the San Carlos Apache Reservation and would stay on their land for most of the day. Guess what the first thing I saw once I cross onto Indian land? You got it, a huge Casino. Go figure. I rode through many small towns today. One named Geronimo, was nothing more than one abandoned and rundown building. Population has to be in the single digits, if that. Glad I wasn't counting on that being a re-supply town. Today's ride also paralleled the Gila River, but I never did get a good look at it. I could have taken an alternate route that was 17 miles longer that would have brought me to the Coolidge Dam which is at the west end of the San Carlos Lake. I decided not to take this route mostly to the added mileage and that my map stated that the road is in disrepair. Three quarters into today's ride I began to feel extreme pain in my left knee. So bad, that as I tried to cycle my left knee would lock up on me and pain shot up through my body. I did notice it a few days ago but it was mild and I just left it alone. It hurt so much, that I was running backup plans through my mind. I was forced to stop in the small town of Fort Thomas at their community center. I hobbled myself under a picnic pavilion and began messaging my wounded knee. Less than half an hour later I was back on the road just hoping to make it to town. I did make it, but I was not the smooth well oil machine I would like to be. It was more like the Tin Man in need of oil. I was able to find a store to buy Ibuprofen, and popped one right away. I don't like taking these but I have no choice and I hope it works. To add wood to this already blazing fire I have here, my bottom is killing me. My Brooks saddle that is supposed to be the best saddle out there is just not agreeing with me. I was lucky enough that I found a memory foam saddle cover in town that I was able to buy. I will see how that works tomorrow. I guess this is all part of being on an adventure and you just have to stay positive and focused. On another note, every time I stop I am surrounded by curious people with all kinds of questions for me. I don't mind that at all. It's great talking with the locals and its just nice to see they are all friendly.
Photos: Route 70 just outside of Globe, AZ - Roadside flower - Sunrise on the road - Ranch Creek, minute the creek - Welcome to the Wild West sign - View of Hog Mtn from the road - Bone Spring Canyon - Welcome to the Apache - Welcome to Geronimo, AZ - That's Geronimo, AZ and I'am not kidding, that's the whole town - Gila River Valley
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