Day 59: To Gila Hot Springs
Wednesday March 31, 2010, 32 miles (51 km) - Total so far: 2,589 miles (4,167 km)
So the maps have a 20 mile out and back option to go see the Gila cliff dwellings, and we've it's been recommended that we do it more than once. So we decided to take the trip. The only other thing we heard about this ride was that the climbing is ridiculous. Another tourer said there's like 8% grade, and that most people rent a motel room right before the climb to leave all their gear in. Local cyclists we saw yesterday riding up Emory Pass for fun said that there was a 10% grade on the way out. They also said its called the Gila Monster. They hold an annual road race here called the Tour de Gila, a pro ride which Lance Armstrong has even ridden in. Needless to say we were pretty stoked for it. And the rumors were definitely true. Riding in was pretty sweet, about 7 miles of climbing, then about 7 miles of insane downhill. I pretty much rode my brakes the whole way down, and still was cruising around 30 mph. There were no guardrails, and one side of you was a pretty straight drop down. Crazy. The cliff dwellings were sweet. We camped at this place that had hot springs, so we relaxed in 108 degree natural spring water for like an hour after the ride. Another awesome day.
