Mission Accomplished!!

Day 16 of riding (Day 19 of the trip) & made the last nearly 60 miles to Phoenix in great shape! Averaged 15 miles per hour.
Left Wickenburg after breakfast in a really lovely old dining saloon with the old woodwok & stained glass windows with a floral design etc. It's a perk from spending time in these old little towns that one would normally just zip through if traveling by car.
Hazel took her time so that she could visit the museum later in the morning which she did & also stopped to look at Lake Pleasant which was 6 miles off the road so not for me. I took hwy 60 for the forst 10 miles. It is double carriage way, very busy & in bad shape. The shoulder I had to ride on was even worse. So it was a relief to turn off onto hwy 74 which had much less traffic & had a better surface. Also the scenery changed with the landscape dominated by the saguaro cactus. Looked like strange alein stick people from another planet. This road ws essentally straight for 30 miles & flat. First time I had a straight flat road all this trip. I made great speed. The road passed over Interstate hwy 17 & became Carefree Rd. This went on for another 12 miles before I was able to turn into Scottsdale Rd & ride the final miles into the lovely neighbourhood where cousin Phillip lives. His garden is a little oasis surrounded by desert. With bird feeders there are an amazing number of birds. All in all a great place to rest after a long ride. Amazing to think that after all the months of planning this adventure will now be something I will always remember as one of the special achievements of my life.
I feel great & fit. Lost only 2-3 pounds but look thinner so some of the weight is extra muscle. Had no injuries,took advil only twice after tough days in the early riding. So it shows that we can do a lot even as we get older. Our bodies with give us what we ask it to do after reasonable exercise & preparation (obviously within limits). Age really is relative. Health is the greatest blessing & I don't take it for granted. If I can do physical things I try & do them even if it requires more effort as one gets older. It is a positive cycle-energy in-energy out.
I like to also think of this ride as my contribution to the health care debate. Older folk exercising, eating age appropriate food & keeping out of the Dr's office as long as possible.
My thanks to many people who have encouraged & supported me. Hazel for sagging & her constant encouragement & love-I couldn't have done it without her help. All those who sponsored the ride with their generous financial support which will help buy bicycles for the kids living under constant threat along the border with Gaza. Please come to our event on Nov 8th at Bicycle Village in Aurora at 1pm & buy all your cycling needs at special discounts. Special thanks to Scott Primack whose very generous support ensures the success of our efforts.
Thanks to all for the prayers & positive vibs that helped speed me along & kept me safe. Thanks to Alan, Ira, Bill & Ted for riding some of the way with me & Judi for sagging the first 2 days.
Thanks to Ari for the power drinks & clothing that helped so much & all of you who followed the ride, for the phone calls, e.mails & comments on the blog.
Hope to see you all on Nov 8th at Bicycle Village.
I will write about my thoughts & what I have learned on this ride & include photos later.