Gila Bend 2006

The ride started with a beautiful sunrise that bode well for the great ride we had. The weather was very pleasant both days with clouds keeping it just a little cool early the first day and the usual head wind on Sunday. As the riders signed in it was almost like a reunion but there were sprinkled in a number of new faces to add variety. We had riders from as far away as Pennsylvania , Michigan , Washington and Montana come to enjoy this great tour. We did have a serious moment at the beginning of the ride. The widow of Jack Carney, Rita Walters, joined us to remember Jack and help us dedicate the ride to him. He had done the ride last year and we felt this was a fitting tribute. We discussed rider safety and the need for riders to support the clubs and the Coalition (Rich Rumer had a Coalition booth at the ride) in demanding more protection for riders. Rita also said that the past months had been hard but she really appreciated the support she had received from the bicycling community.

This was the 26th, 27th, or 28th, (depending on who you talk to) running of the ride. The character of the ride is starting to change. The sleepy communities of Litchfield and Buckeye are exploding and the farm, ranch and desert land we ride through is starting to disappear under subdivisions. Even south of Gillespie dam there is change with Phantom Water Ski Ranch going in, talk of a major new bridge and Vermaland buying up large tracts. The days of this being a back country ride is disappearing.

This year the riders still had great open views to ride and enjoy and all had a good time. We had a diverse group of riders from very fast on down to tourists and some strong tandems. We also were joined along the way by two men doing a cancer ride across the country and we invited them to join us at dinner. A large motorcycle memorial ride passed us at the Palo Verde School on their way down to the Desert Rose and beyond. By the time the last riders were in Gila Bend the party had started on the lawn of the Space Age with all telling their favorite biking stories. People pitched in and all the equipment was set up quickly and the chips and salsa started to flow as the food cooked. Martin Rosenthal prepared the chicken with his special sauce, (which he says he will share with anyone who asks, see below), and supervised cooking. Larry Van Liew and his Swifty group jumped in to help put the grills together and then take care of the cooking. Linda Austin brought her Pecan Bars for dessert; she will also share that recipe, see below. Arnie Roseman back again from Pennsylvania to do the ride stated that his GPS showed we had done 777’ of climbing that day. Charlie Jennings did not make it to dinner as this was his first anniversary and his wife joined him in Gila Bend. Sunday we made our way back to Phoenix .

I want to thank Chris and Connie Berry for all their help and work at the rest stops and sagging. Linda Austin jumped in at the last minute and did a great job. Barbara Payne was a great help as she watched her husband Richard do the ride. Heather stayed busy as usual making sure everyone was well taken care of. The Space Age was very accommodating this year and deserver our thanks too. Kudos to Martin for procuring and preparing the chicken and also adding two new grills to our equipment list. Lastly thanks to Larry Van Liew and his group for all their help and their expert barbecuing.

OLD FAMILY RECIPE BARBECUE SAUCE

For beef ribs or chicken

1 chopped Onion

1 Tb Oil

3 Tbs Vinegar

¼ C. Lemon juice

½ C. Water or Red Wine

4 Heaping Tbs Brown Sugar

1 can Tomato Paste

3 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 tsp powdered Mustard

4 drops Tabasco

Chopped Parseley

Salt and Pepper

Brown onion in oil.

Add remaining ingredients

Simmer 30 minutes

Yields enough for two chickens or more.

Freezes very well

NOTES:

The quantities of spices are only suggestions, I usually make everything heaping.

I also add some honey.

I never use water, always red wind.