April 30, Day 37 cycling Tonto Basin to Scottsdale, AZ

Up Tonto Creek and over Mazatzal mountains and down into the huge Mesa/Tempe/Scottsdale/Phoenix valley from the NE. When we were in Globe we were due east of the valley, but the cycling route took us north into the south central AZ mountains. Huge day today which started with 65 miles and over 5000’ up and down, up and down, up and down, oh, and up and down again! It was a beautiful ride through amazing mountains even with a big chunk of that 65 miles on the very loud (from traffic), 4 lane divided highway 87/Beeline Hwy. Thankfully very wide shoulder sometimes in bad condition. Then we went off into the lower Salt River Canyon and up over Usery Pass. Then 28 miles navigating Mesa, Tempe and then into Scottsdale for our last rest day tomorrow! Passed by a few MLB Training facilities. Temps got warm but I kept dumping water on my helmet and down my back! Ended with 93.35 miles and 5966’ for the biggest day of the trip.