Our first bicycle ride this winter.

This morning, after breakfast, we made our preparations for our bicycle ride. We were going to Tempe, approx. a 45-minute drive, because there are no bicycle paths like that around Apache Junction. So, while David was getting the bikes ready, I made us a lunch. We were ready to go when Michel & Micheline drove by in their car at 9 o'clock. Although we were going together, we each had to take our own car. Our starting point was Tempe Beach Park where we parked the cars and left on our bicycles. We crossed the bridge over the Salt River then had to find our way through some construction under the bridge to get on the multi-use path that starts along the river. It eventually heads away from the river and meanders through parks and alongside some golf courses. It has several short hills so you get a pretty good workout. It was another sunny day, great for bicycling as the temperature was only going up to 74F (23C). Otherwise it could be too hot if the temperature was in the mid to high 80sF. David always brings our Garmin Legend GPS which gives us our speed, miles driven, time taken and elevation. So today, we rode our bikes 22.4 miles (36 kilometres) in 3 1/2 hours which includes 1 hour stop time for breaks & lunch. We think that might be the longest bicycle ride we've ever done in one day. On the way home, I have to say it... we stopped for coffee. Since we were driving by Camping World, we decided to stop there too and buy the water softener. We've thougth about it and decided that although expensive it will be worth it in the long run. We do not want to end up with plumbing problems which could be created by hard water; and that's the kind of water we have here. When we got home, I sat outside reading while David installed the water softener. Around 4:30 pm we went inside and stayed home for the rest of the evening.


David, Michel & Micheline smiling for the camera.