Mt Graham 15th September

I'd initially planned to have a rest day and ride Mt Graham the next day. 

Legs were surprisingly feeling okay and there were some showers which kept the morning a little cooler, so I pulled into the Prison car park that is at the base of the Mt Graham and set off up the climb.

This was a climb I didn't find much information about other than it was worthwhile to include in the itinerary, therefore didn't know the gradient or length. With the climb starting below 4000 feet, the air was like soup and even with fatigued legs power was back to where I'd I'm used to seeing it!

The climb started with a straight run through arid low scrub and then wove into the hills above. Initially dry slopes and then into pine forests. It did vary gradients though nothing too steep and was a wonderful climb as it made its way up the mountain. 
 

At Ladybug saddle, the road cut onto the other side of the mountain with views toward Tucson. Shortly before the road turned to gravel and the end of my climb I passed sign noting the elevation of 9,000 feet. 

A couple of weeks ago that would have been a struggle, after the riding over these weeks meant I could enjoy the last kilometres to its end.

Unfortunately the surface wasn't the best with gravel on many of the corners. Therefore it was a more cautious descent back to the van.

In my investigations about the climb I'd read to park in the visitors car park at the prison. The prison guard who drove up as I loaded the van was reasonable especially on hearing my accent, but they definitely don't like people parking there as many people try to throw contraband over the fence so don't like unknown vehicles. I was told they rather cyclists park a little up the road and on the opposite side.

I drove a short way to the Roper Lake State park where I planned to spend the night. This is a gem. $15 for the night, showers, lake for swimming and even a natural hot spring in the grounds!

After a swim in the lake, I drove into town to a laundromat do do some washing and headed back for another swim! Unfortunately with all the water around there were numerous mosquitoes, so I retreated quickly to the still hot van and had an uncomfortable nights sleep.

Ride details: distance 67.44km Maximum elevation 2799m

2113m elevation