Fwd: Ride to Gila Bend on November 17

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Phillip Parsons <parsonspj@live.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 18, 2021 at 8:58 AM
Subject: Ride to Gila Bend on November 17
To: Paul Breuklander <pbreuklander1@gmail.com>



There were 10 bikes with about 14 riders assembled at the Chevron for the ride in several directions today.  There are more returning riders each week, including me.  

Three couples planned a trip to Casa grande for breakfast, one couple went to see the Park Link, and the main group headed for Gila Bend. For me, it was a real pleasure to be riding in the group again.

The Gila Bend group joined a lot of other travelers and trucks on the 202, then to the 10 to Maricopa. This morning the temperature on the desert was at least 5° lower than in town, so winter gloves were quickly in order. We had an enjoyable trip across the desert on our way to the Space Needle restaurant. We were served quickly and discovered prices there are better than expected. Dan has his partner in the photo by the door.

The best part of going to Gila Bend is Highway 85 traveling north across the iron bridge and through the irrigated fields. There are so many different things to observe along the way; from solar panels to unusually green fields.  We stopped at the bridge to ponder the time when their dam failed.  On the road again, we met a 12 foot seeder on a John Deere tractor coming across the 18 foot wide bridge. It caused a pretty quick traffic jam. When we got north to the Shell station, then I suggested that we do Buckeye Road across to the 202.  Again, there are so many new buildings and so much of history to see in buckeye and along the way. The speed picked up quickly on the new 202, so we made fast time across the south metro area. We arrived home about 2:00 with 217 miles; used up our gas and stopped for more at $3.79 a gallon!

November is the best month of the year here with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and very little rain. The green foliage is wonderful to see after last spring's dry season.  We enjoyed!

Phil Parsons

Sent from my iPhone