Arriving in Cottonwood, AZ

Today was described by our leaders as a "vacation day." It certainly was an easier day with riding only 45 miles. We did have an elevation gain of 4600 feet and a 12 mile incline(with more false flats). The highest elevation today was a little over 7000 feet at Mingus Mtn.

The Indian Paintbrush were beautiful.

The weather was great for riding. We enjoyed wonderful scenery with switchback curves.

After climbing to the highest peak at Mingus, we had a 7 mile descent to the old mining town of Jerome. It was quite windy and cool at the top so we used our makeshift windbreakers (green garbage bags) and rode to the Jerome. The descents were fairly steep with sharp turns. I had to brake nearly all of the way down. The disc brake on the back was a lifesaver. We stopped for a break about 2 miles from Jerome. The disc brake and the front rim were very hot.

We had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger Restaurant and had a strong tail wind to our motel in Cottonwood, another 8 or 9 miles. Tomorrow we go through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon on our way to Flagstaff.

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