Prescott to Nowhere

321 miles - a good day!

People make a huge deal about the road south from Jerome. Yeah, it's twisty and crazy. Kind of like a cirque du soleil. All twisted up, but who can do that? And, if you can get there without a Buick-driving tourist from Georgia taking pictures of the rocks, good luck.

I had a long day planned, and by the time I got to Jerome, I was itching to go. Most importantly, I was going to give my new spring a real test. Lot's of curves ahead, and I was determined to scrub a little bit of freshness off the edges of my new tires, while I was at it.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the saguaro's were bloom. If I thought last week was hard, well, this one was harder. So I went for a ride. Good choice. Nothing like a beautiful day and the need for concentration on fun to take away the edge.

Up through Payson (with a stop at Dreamy Draw for a run and Laura's Small Cafe for breaky), Jerome and beyond was my true objective. Remember, I was told to check my ass for wiggling with my new spring, and I desperately needed some curves for that test. Well, the Buick was there most of the way past Jerome, as well as a fresh coat of pavement, and I wasn't impressed. (Except for the guy on the side of the road selling photos of passerby. Genius! Hope to find myself there!). But, what I really needed was curves and bumps, and the curves needed to be faster than 15mph.

Isn't he cute?

Anyway, I had a great day and felt a little disappointed by the curvy road that was supposed to be the big draw. I cruised through Prescott, stopped for a cream soda, and was on my way. Lil' Trip was taking good care of me. He's always ready, and I like that.

I was ready for a cruise south and to enjoy the feeling of temps rising from 70 to 100. But I totally forgot what waited form me south of Prescott on 89. Curves, a little run-off to make me feel good, changing camber and an uneven surface. Wow. Prescott to Nowhere is my favorite 20-mile stretch of road in Arizona. It straightens out now and then, just long enough to make you think it's over, and then suddenly you're changing down again and holding on. And, amazingly, the vehicles on the road used the run off to pull over and let me pass. It was beautiful. (Yes, Nowhere is a town).

Pretty sure I deserve this.

Well, my spring held up, Lil' Trip held the turns tight, and I'm looking forward to the man inspecting my tires for signs of wear on the edges. It was a fantastic ride. That little 20-mile stretch out of 321 total miles made my day. Me & Lil' Trip felt like one, and I was leaning the with him rather than wrestling. I might go there again tomorrow.