9. Phoenix

Jul 27, 2009 Uncategorized

I left Pasadena, CA this morning at 4:30 AM.  I didn’t think to leave that early until my friend Matt in Phoenix suggested it to avoid the heat.  That was a terrific idea because Phoenix is hotter than shit on a shingle.  I took a break every 100 miles to drink water.  I used my camelbak for the first time.  That ice cold water was so refreshing.  At one of the rest areas I saw some lizards.  Here they are for you to enjoy:

After that break I made it to Phoenix and visited Matt at his office.  He has a regular office job, so I had to kill some time before he got off work.  I decided to visit my buddy Joe, so I drove north to Cave Creek/Scottsdale to see him. 

I spent a couple hours at the restaurant he works at catching up on his life and what each of knew about other people we went to school with.  After lunch with Joe it was time to pick up Matt and take him to his truck that was in the shop. 

Matt was my first passenger on a motorcycle.  Arizona has an interesting take on motorcycle safety.  They don’t have a helmet law, but eye protection is required.  Since I only have one helmet I let Matt use it.  I figure since my skull is at risk I would be compelled to drive to my safest ability.  After dropping him off at his truck he convoyed it back to his house in Maricopa.  I thought the 5 o’clock sun was going to kill me on that 30 minute drive.  I later learned Matt’s car read 120 degrees during that trip.  Now I’m not one to trust at car’s thermometer, but either way it was a hot day to be riding a black bike in all black gear.