Day 22-Cause Celeb in McPherson, Kansas

Great Bend to McPerson, Ks.

Miles: 64.4

Time: 4:14

Average: 15.2 mph

Max: 24.0 mph

Total Ascent: 820 ft

Est Calories: 4,329

Thanks to Tom Dunn for the action shot, above, of Bob Fuller and I. For those unfamiliar with us, I'm the chunkie one on the right. Tom will be leaving the ride after tomorrow, and he will be missed. Regards, Tom D.

Today was another short day with a fair bit of cross winds, but based on conversations at dinner, many riders napped as soon as they got in to the hotel. While this was a relatively short day, it was however the eighth straight right of riding, and tomorrow will make 9 straight days of riding before our 3rd rest day. Other than the cumulative effects, this was a nice sunday ride. Not much traffic, some favorable winds, and no elavations to speak of. On the other hand, nothing was open in McPherson, Ks. We went up and down the town looking for something open for a sandwich, to no avail. As it was, we came upon a few other of our bikers a mile up the road, and we all doved into SONIC for food. Another first for me. I've never eaten at a SONIC and had to take lessons from the other riders as to how to order (all outside, and then they deliver your food to your outside table).

When we arrived at the SONIC there was a family group of about 4 adults and 2 children, sitting there. I didn't pay much attention, as I was focused on food. The 2 couples on the other hand thought that we were some riding friends of one of the husband's and started to cheer for us. That interaction only lead to a constant exchange between our 2 groups. They were there when we got there and were there as we left. They suggested that there really wasn't much to do in McPerson on a Sunday but to hang out at the SONIC.

Before we left for the hotel some 3 miles down the road, they took our picture, our names, and some info on our ride to submit to the "McPherson Sentinel", the local newspaper. I undestood that the guy with the camera was a part time contributor to the paper. We checked the internet when we got to the hotel, and found that the Sentinel has a website. It will be interesting to see if we make the local paper, which we will be checking over the next few evenings. Here we are, the Cause Celeb in McPherson, Kansas. What a goof! See ya.................

Day 21-Wheeeeeeeeeeeee

Dodge City to Great Bend, Ks.
Miles: 86.6
Time: 4:26
Average: 19.5 mph
Max: 32.5 mph
Total Ascent: 916 ft
Est Calories: NA

If yesterday's ride was NICE, today was as close to perfect as we could have imagined. Virtually flat as a pool table as evidenced by the Ascent and the Average noted above. The Max actually may be my fastest todate, and it was on the flats. We had a tail wind from heaven. After 60 miles we were averaging 20.2 mph and probably only finished below 20 mph for the day because we were looking for an eatery in Larned, Ks before we settled on Subway, and there was a bit of head wind for about 3-4 miles at the end of the ride. Some people get in around noon and actually went to the movies. The est calories is noted NA because the methodology used by the Garmin really does not compensate for unique effort days like today. I did not use over 7000 calories today as was indicated on the Garmin, thus the NA indication.

The picture above, in the background was a sign that indicated that this was the midpoint between San Fancisco and NY. It is not the midpoint for us, as that is still a couple of days away for us because of our route.

At the end of the day we went to Walmart on our bikes and in our biking clothes. Walmart was about 1/2 mile from the hotel. We had a need for some supplies (gatorade for the morning, sunscreen, etc), Coming out of Walmart we stopped at Arby's for a soda (so I had a sandwich as well. After all, it was 5 hours until dinner.) As I was about to enter the place, I held the door for an elderly gentleman, and we began a conversation about where we were headed, and from where, etc. As we were about to finish our snacks, the man came over and asked if he could give us a gift. It turns out that this 84 y/o man has been a bee keeper and would like to give us some honey. He then went out to his car and returned with a 24 oz plastic bottle of pure honey, shaped like a little bear with a little yellow cap (for pouring). So, if you find yourself in Great Bend, you can find the kind Mr. Watson Nichols at the Nichols Apiaries, PO Box 396-520 Odell, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530, PH: 620-793-5267. We will be sharing this with our fellow riders, and the Cross Roads staff will find some creative use for this fine sugary treat on something, to be determined, at one or more of the SAG's over the next few days.

As we left Arby's we went over to thank him again before we left. He assured us that this gave him more pleasure that it would give us, and offered a "God be with you" and "be safe". Just another great expression of kindness we have experienced along the way. This expression of kindness is just what the doctor ordered, and what, as I have said before, is what I was hoping to experience on this ride. God bless the Mr. Nichols of this world. See ya...............

Day 20-Pulled Buffalo Meat Sandwich

Liberal, Ks to Dodge City, Ks.
Miles: 84.2
Time: 5:20
Average: 15.8 mph
Max: 28.2 mph
Total Ascent: 1,647 ft
Est Calories: 5,666

We had a nice day with tail winds for almost 60 miles, and crossing winds for the last 24. The first 40 miles to the first and only SAG (at the Dalton Gang Hideout) was accomplish comfortably at over 17 mph. NICE. Here we have a picture of young calves having a curious look at us while we watched them. They got bored first and moved on before we did.

Those "amber waves of grain" in the heartland have not quite ripened, as we saw "emerald" waves of grain as far as you could see for most of the day. It's clear that these farms are measured in sq miles, not acres.

Once again there wasn't much to eat along the route, but the best was saved until last, in Dodge City. The Boot Hill historical section provided the savory delight. We came upon two guys hitching up two very large draft horses to a stage coach and asked them where there might be a local sandwich shop that would allow people dressed like us to enter. They pointed to this Ice Cream Parlor in the Boot Hill section right next to us. It turned out to be a real treat. They had a yummy pulled buffalo meat sandwich (very tender like pulled pork). Bob and I each had that with pepper cheeze, lettuce and tomato, and BBQ sauce, on a nice soft, fresh honey wheat roll, with pickles on the side. BBQ chips to go along. Then, we finished up with a hard ice cream chocolate sundaes (one hot fudge, and one regular chocolate). And, lots and lots of Dr Pepper soda. Yum, Yum, Yum. After 80+ miles anything might taste good, but this was a sandwich to die for, on Boot Hill!!!!! Ah, f-o-o-o-od. Another 80+ mile day is scheduled for tomorrow. See ya......................

Day 19-Welcome to the Plains States

Guymon,Ok to Liberal, Ks

Miles: 46.0

Time: 3:24

Average: 13.5 mph

Max: 24 mph

Total Ascent: 893 ft

Est Calories: 3,893

Today was a midweek (day 5 of 9 straight riding days) mini-day. Basically a casual riding day just to keep the tour going, but not a challenging day. The official day was less than 40 miles, but we took a side trip to the Mid-American Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas. I was primarily loaded with private and experimental aircraft with a few serious military aircraft, like Cobra coppers, and Jets. The side trip was enhanced by the fact that, Nancy, the older women on the ride at 66, was a pilot since college. Her original plane was CANVAS skinned, not metal. Needless to say, she added a lot of commentary to the history of the these older planes. They even had a version of her old plane in the museum.

As mentioned in the last blog, we moved into Kansas today, and the city of Liberal is the old "yellow brick road" town, but we did not look for Dorothy's house. On the way to Liberal, we stopped in Hooker, Kansas (see above). And, no, Kansas is not the end of the world despite the Welcome to Kansas sign above.

We stopped at Pizza Hut for a salad and personal pan pizza, and I normally change to my "civilian" glasses from my sports glasses for indoors. As we departed and re-dressed in the biking helmet, etc, I did not change the glasses back to the sport glasses because the hotel was only about 500 feet down the road. So I managed to leave the civilian glass case near the bushes outside the Pizza Hut. Once settling at the hotel I recognized what may have happened, and road back to the Pizza Hut to try to find the case. I found the pad I had in the case, but no case. Just another senior moment. I will try to get a new case at the KMart the day after next.

I noticed a bubble forming on the front tire of the bike yesterday, but was too tired to deal with it. So, at the end of today I had the pleasure of changing out the tire for a new one at the hotel. It turns out that there was a cut in the tire that weaked the side wall of the tire, which is what caused the bulge to form. Fortunately, the slow easy day did not cause any tire problems on the road. Tomorrow we move back into the longer days, being +80 mile days and early departures. See ya..............

Day 18-The Sounds of Today

Dalhart, Tx to Guymon,Ok
Miles: 72.9
Time: 5:06
Average: 14.3 mph
Max: 24.4
Total Ascent: 2,038
Est Calories: 4,525

One more state line: into Oklahoma. In case you haven't heard from other blogs, we are supposed to sprinkle sand from Manhattan Beach, Ca at each state crossing sign, or else strange and not so friendly things happen?????, which is why I'm bending over at this sign sprinkling the sand.

Today was very flat all day (relatively) which compensated for another very windy day. Plus, we did not have the bouts of rain that we had yesterday.

It was interesting today listening to the sounds of the ride (too much time in the saddle, I think). With nothing as far as you could see, you could still hear crickets along the ditches of the highway. And, when you approached the occassional grouping of trees you could hear a large exchange of bird sounds and chirps compared to the occassional bird call along the open road. Of course there was the steady din of wind that normally drowned out any conversation but the most essential or occassional comment that often required repeating when you would get the attention of the rider you thought that you where talking to in the first place. And, there also was the roar of traffic and the occassional air horn from the constant caravan of trucks of all sizes and shapes with anything you can think of being hauled, from animals for your next meal, to huge pieces of silos being transported to the next grain elavator.

Once into Guymon, 4 of us (Bob, Hank, Champ, and yours truly) stopped at "Burger Heaven" for a real double cheeze burger, with a bit of crispy edges, lots of pickles, tomatos, and a large fresh bun, rather than a homogenous, institutional national brand of pretent burgers. In the quite of the Burger Heaven you could hear the lips smacking of 4 grown men wolfing down there own individual version of FOOD.

The owner was happy to see us and made sure he took pictures of us and with us. Just another "Charles Kuralt" on the road American moment.

Tomorrow we move onto Kansas for the 4th state in as many days. The benefits of cutting corners on the panhandles of Texas, and Oklahoma. Now on to the PLAINS states, and I expect that, from what we have seen so far, the days will look very similar, except we expect to run into more towns and more places to eat during the day.

Of late, we have thru 90-110 mile days with only one store of any kind during the day. When the cue sheets keep saying "no service for the next 28.7 miles; then no service for the next 42 miles; then no services for the next XXXmiles", you come to expect to live off what you carry, or what may be available from then SAG stops. So when we come to a Burger Heaven you sometimes over indulge, particularly if it is at the end of the day with a couple of hours until dinner. See ya...................

Day 16 & 17- Long and Windy

Day 16 Las Vegas to Tucumcari, NM

Miles: 110

Time: 7:44

Average: 14.2 mph

Max: 32.6

Total Ascent: 3,763

Est Calories: 6,444

Another century. It was a beautiful day, but long. The scenery was almost trumped by the length of the day. We went down a 3 mile 9 % grade, and I made it with many stops along the way to cool off the rims. I did not want to go thru another blow out like earlier in the ride, that cost me a rim. I'm so chicken that I actually preferred the 9% upgrade later in the day. You can see in the first picture how we cover up for the long days. The arm covers are called coolers, and can be doused with water to provide evaporation and cooling effects in desert type of conditions.

One point in the day I was riding with 3 other riders and I, at age 63, was the youngest in the group. It just made me smile. The joke is that the too oldest people (one woman, and on man) are 2 of the strongest on this ride.

Day 17-Tucumcari,NM to Dallhart, TX

Miles: 78 p/o 95

Average: 12.0

Time: 6:30

Total Ascent: 4,298

Estimated Calories: 5,236

It seems like we are always saying that "this" particular day was the hardest, and then another day comes along that trumps the last. Today was one of those days. A steady amount of climbing with serious head and cross winds all day long. The steady winds had to be in the 20mph with gusts substantially over that. We were on a 2 lane highway, and when trucks came toward us from other direction, and with the wind, the impact was magnified and buffed us around on the other side of the road more than trucks coming up upon us on the same side of the road as us. I took a flat in the front tire, and when checking for the cause, I found 3 thorns, and don't ask which one actually cause the flat.

After we crossed into Texas, the road turned rough, which only added to the degree of difficulty. Given this fact, and the fact that the wind seemed to be increasing, and our speed had slowed to a turtle's pace in the range of 8 mph, and we were losing an hour by crossing into the central time zone, and we have 6 more days of riding before a rest day, we gave up the ghost and took a ride in to the hotel. It turned out that many others did the same. Meanwhile, some the other rides actually toughed it out and road all the way to the hotel. Much respect to those that had the stamina to pull themselves in all the way!!!!

Tomorrow its off to Oklahoma and another state crossing. See ya............................

Day 14 & 15- Rest Day and a Great Weather Day

Santa Fe to Las Vega, NM
Miles: 73.0
Time: 5.07
Average: 14.2 mph
Max: NA
Total Ascent: 3,845
Est Calories: 4,822

The rest day contained a bit of time with Bob Fuller's daughter and grand-daughter (see his blog for picture proof of my involvement). Otherwise, we just tried to recover given that we will now do a 9 day stretch before our next rest day in Kansas.

Notice the NA on the Max speed above. That's because the Garmin read 57.9mph for a Max speed, and you know that ain't right, no way, no how!!! So ,I just left it blank

Coming out of Santa Fe this morning, a local lady came up on us riding a bike. She was just doing 22 miles before work. She had no water bottles. I used her as our rabbit, and rode along with her for about 10 miles. It turns out that she is 63, has a real estate business in Santa Fe, and maintains a "ChooseSantaFe" (can't remember the tail of the address), and her name is Shane. She road a 36 year old bike with static shifters. She gaves us a nice intro to what we will be seeing today, and provided some interesting conversation to start the day. After about 10 miles she turned right and headed back to her real job.

Today was just plain nice. Started a bit cool, with jackets, which we kept on for some time after the sun came out because we were climbing. Despite a net down from the other hotel, we still climbed over 3,800 by my Garmin. Despite a couple of longish hills, most of the climbing was the result of up and down rollers. We supposedly got our last taste of Interstate Highway today, just in time for me to pickup another truck tire metal shard for a slow leak that carried me to the SAG and the use of a pump instead of using up another CO2 cartridge. When I got to the hotel, and returned from dinner, I notice another flat, on the rear of course, in my hotel room. It turned out that when I had the wheel replaced some 10 days ago I had the mechanic put a more expensive rim tape on to help protect the tubes on the long ride ahead. Well, you know where this is going. The tape was all over the rim, and I had an inside puncture. Given the time (late), I had to try to reapply the tape that was on the rim, and then added some electical tape in a few spots that were a little weak. I hope it lasts for the 108 miles in desert tomorrow. You'll hear more if it doesn't.

Well, I lied again, as we hit a new high today of over 7,500 ft. of elevation, before we settled in to our overall down hill day. Maybe I should read the future cue sheets to make sure I know what's coming up, but I just deal with each day as it comes. But, I have been assured that this was the high point of the tour, so to speak.

Like most pictures, you can hardly tell whether the road goes up or down, but the picture above is a downhill that leads to the horizen with a number of ups and downs in between.

Given my experience with the blown tire, and flattened rim, I'm still extra cautious on down hills and need to run down any fellow riders (mostly Bob) once I get near the bottom, Fotunately, I still have a bit of juice to "gett'r done". See ya.................

Day 13-Wet, Cold, & Windy, but great views

Albuquerque to Santa Fe, NM

Miles: 67.5

Time: 5:42

Average: 11.8 mph

Max: 30.3 mph

Total Ascent: 4,547

Est Calories: 4,607

Well, the challenges continued. Head winds and climbing all day! Did I ALL DAY. Yes, ALL DAY. When you are pedalling down a 2% grade an still not able to exceed 10 miles an hour, I do not really want to know what the head winds are (were). While we had a bit of rain yesterday at the start of the ride, today had a cold, gusty rain on and off all day. We were only about 6-7 miles from the hotel, and everything went dark, and it opened up on use, just make the last few miles interesting. The temperatures were in the low 50's but the rain and wind chill made it seem colder then that. Note the picture of the downhill. It was one of the few breaks in the weather that permitted a decent picture and would not ruin the camera with the rain.

You will note that there is very little traffic on this road which really helped on the decents since there wasn't much of anything to ride on outside the white lines. and the winds were buffeting us around.

There was a neat little tavern at the 44.5 mile mark in the town of Madrid: The Mine Shaft Tavern. It had a rustic, bohemian atmosphere that I would have enjoyed otherwise, but we had to just eat and get back on our faithful steeds to climb over 1,400 ft before the hotel. The Tavern had what it had and nothing more. You could get a grilled cheese sandwich, but no ham on it. They were able to add tomato tho.

As we proceded on our way, the additional climbing wasn't just a climb to the hotel. There were some down hills of hundreds of ft that made the net climb that much longer. Fortunately, toward town, the road smoothed out, and the inclines got shorter. My roomate, Bob, does not nap.....that is, until yesterday. He showered first, and when I came out of the shower, he was sitting on the bed with his back on the headboard of the bed, his hands in his lap, and his head down..........you know, OUT LIKE A LIGHT. I was glad to see it, because I wanted a quick nap too, and this was my chance. We did not join the party animals who went out on the town, but only had a couple of beers and ate in the hotel. Good food, and large helpings. With all do respect to the hotel, almost anything would have sufficed, we were starved.

After we dragged ourselves up to our room, I managed to stay await for the Cavaliers basketball game, and while they won, they certainly did not do it easily. So at least it's 1-1 and not 0-2 for the series.

A final thought for the day: when a particular day is the toughest day we've had, we seem to be able get another more "interesting" day of riding challenges. While we continue to get stronger, some of the days throw more challenging weather or terrain, or both, at us. I know that some of the midwest days will be a bit monotonous, but right now, that does not sound so bad. We still have a few more days of hills before miles and miles of American's heartland.

I'm posting Days 12 and 13 on the rest day, so it's time to rest. See ya..................

Day 12- The Rio Grand

Grants to Albuquerque, NM
Miles: 61.4 p/o 75.2
Time: 4:14
Average: 14.4 mph
Max: 29.5 mph
Total Ascent: 1,643
Est Calories: 4,043

This day got a bit of a riding reprieve, care of the NM highway dept. There was construction on Rt 40 that made impassible for us, and CrossRoads took us off the road at one place, carried us and bikes up the road some 16 miles. and turn us loose back to the travails of the highway. A most prudent and safe decision by Tracey of CrossRoads.

As we came into Alburquerque a bit early, so Bob convinced me to stop in Old Town of Alburquerque for another breakfast of Huevos Rancheros. While the food was good going down, it was a little outside my gastro comfort range, and Tums were in my future that day, but it was a great little spot, friendly people, and a nice break in the day. That evening, Bob invited me to join him for a visit with his daughter, Beth and her family. We got a home cooked meal ( and got our laundry done with no waiting...and extra treat). I only ate 4 meals today if you consider the cheeseburger at the Dairy Queen during the day.

More fun tomorrow (I know becausse this is being posted 2 days in arears). See ya.................

Day 11-Continental Divide

Gallup to Grants, New Mex

Miles: 68.0

Time: 4:26

Average: 15.3 mph

These numbers were from my roomie's bike computer since I must have thought that the outlet I used to charge my Garmin last night was actually working.....silly me. As it was my Garmin went out half way into the day. It didn't compromise any directions since we were virtually straight along Rt 66 into the hotel after the SAG at the Continential Divide. We crossed over the Continential Divide at 7,275 ft today, which also makes a liar out of me in my comment in an earlier posting that said that the 7,032 was the highest point on the ride.

We had another hellatous bout of highway riding again today. I know we have a long way to go, but I know a number of riders (or at least one, yours truly) who will not miss these "challanges": of holes, loose gravel, holes, and all manner of stuff on the highway, along with the steady diet of truck traffic.

We got our first bit of rain over the last 5 miles or so coming in this afternoon. Not enough to get soaked, but just enough to make a mess of the bikes.....requiring a cleaning to get the sand off when we got in. The weather around here shows a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoons for the rest of the year, or at least for the week. The low tonight are expected to be 47, which would indicate the use of jackets will be in order for most of us in the morning.

Tomorrow will be the last day for four of the riders from LA. They have all planned to ride the first leg of the croos country ride and have a scheduled departure. We lose another rider the next day. We'll miss them for lots of reasons and wish them all well. Most of them are talking about meeting next year and picking up another segment of the crosscountry tour and complete the entire tour over time. Night-night moon, and see ya...

Day 10-Ditto

Holbrook, Ariz to Gallup, New Mex
Miles: 87.5
Time: 5:28
Average: 16.0 mph
Max 30.7 mph
Total Ascent: 1796
Est Calories: 6119





Today was much like yesterday in terms of the terrain and wind, except we were fortunate that the wind was reversal of yesterday's in terms of the timing of the headwinds vs crosswinds vs tailwinds. The tailwinds came after the last SAG and carried us in to the hotel while we peddled comfortably at some 20-24 mph. This situation was only for the slower bikers, as the people that push hard early and wanted in before the possibilities of rain had headwinds for those last 25 miles vs our tailwinds............a big difference when your tired. My sympathies to our riding mates.

One thing that was nice today was that a few of us stopped around 11am for lunch and found an all-american little place that had just about 7 options on the memu that were entered on a grease board on the wall. While there, the few people that were in there all came up to meet us and ask questions. Some of those were inside and some greated us outside as we were getting on our bikes to leave. It was just plain fun meeting and talking with strangers. This was part of what I was looking to do on this ride; that is, meet folks along the way, from all walks of life, in all parts of the country. There was a native American, 2 older people that stop at this place often during their travels along this part of Arizona, and another older couple who have had their son bike across country a number of times, and promised to pray for us. Again, just good, honest, fun folks.

Thanks to those who have offered comments on the blog. I don't always answer them, but I do appreciate seeing them occassionally. While I'm doing this blog thing in order to have a bit of a log to review later on (as I am sure that I won't remember much detail as I can't seem to even recall what town I'm in or were I'm headed without the cue sheets), I'm glad that others may find it worth there time to read now and then.

Finally, to state the obvious, we have moved on to our third state, New Mexico, today. All the best, and see ya..............

Day 9-Real Wind

Flagstaff to Holbrook, Ariz
Miles: 96.0
Time: 5:48
Average: 16.3
Max 30.9
Total Ascednt: 1796
Est Calories: 6109

For the most part it was a pretty good day with overall down hill and down wind. But the wind can be fickle. As one biker put it: it was the fastest 45 and the slowest 45. The first 41 miles to the first SAG was done in 2:05 for almost 20 mph, and the second 56 miles sometimes saw us below 10 miles per hour. Hence the 16 mph average for 96 mile. For the entire day we migrated between historical old Route 66, and I-40.

The biggest issue out in the open areas are the increase in winds in the afternoon. Even with 2 or 3 %downgrade we were pedalling all out to maintain 12-13 mph. I don't know what the winds reached (weather chanel talked about 20-30mph), but it kicked up dust storms that made it look like riding through fog. Some riders said they almost road past the hotel on the other side of the road because they just couldn't see it. The flat tires continue with 2 riders getting 3 flats, and my roomie getting his first. Those kind of winds also makes it difficult to keep your bike on line when your trying to keep from roaming into the traffic lane, or avoiding the junk from blown truck tires in your path. Just another day on the road.

The reason for the train picture is what you take a picture of when there is nothing to take a picture of. The second picture is the ol' "Standing on the corner of Winslow, Ariz" from the Eagles song. Time to move on to pillow talk with my own pillow. See ya..................

Day 8-Can you say Rest. Yes, but not much more.

After 7 days of desert, 100 plus degree days, and back to back to back climbing, we dragged ourselves around today after 12 hours of rest. We did a bit of an overall bike cleaning outside the hotel in the morning, and have otherwise participated in a serious day of sleep, eat, rest, eat, nap, eat, rest, and get our heads around the 95 mile day scheduled for tomorrow.

Amoung my minor travails, I have had to get a new wrist watch today since the cheapy one I was wearing had the watch frame broke so that it would not hold the wrist band. So Timex and I are now new friends. Now I have another new techno-thing to learn how to work and set. Fortunately, the settings track very much like my older one. Since we are in the Southwest, Happy trails, and see ya.................

Day 7-Can you say climb

Cottonwood to Flagstaff, Ariz

Miles: 44.38 part of 46.0

Time: 4.21

Average: 10.2

Max 29.1

Total Ascednt: 3217

Est Calories: 7762

Total was relatively short, thank goodness. It was a full day of climbing. While not climbing every mile, it sure seemed like it: evidence the average speed, climbing ascent, and est calories above.

It was also very pretty going thru Sedona region(last picture above). But, all throughout the canyons, we climbed. We sometimes lost contact with the Garmin connection which is the reason for the shortfall in mileage from the expected miles.

Some bikers stopped in Sedona for a break, whereas my roomie and I stopped at a very rustic deli a few miles outside of town. The deli had a covered pourch were we sat with our snacks (in my case, ice tea and a very big, yummy chocolate muffin), and watching folks coming and going to the store. Very comfortable, and very hard to get going again. Not far from the Deli we came upon a couple of bikers (not sure if they were married or just friends). They were from Winnipeg, Canada doing an unsupported 2 week bike trip around these mountains. Everything they had to go on were in her two panniers, and his backpack... a bit more spartan for my taste, but it seemed to have suited them perfectly as they seemed to have done this many times before.

Oh, yeh, we saw our downhill race friend with the trailer on his bike again today at the top of today's large climb. (The first three pictures are from the lookout poiunt after we climbed some 11% grade on the last climb to the lookout. Those pictures show a bit of the climb out of Sedona.

I did manage to get a new wheel at the end of the day from Absolute Bikes, in Flagstaff. We had 3 differenct bikers with issues besides my own. One included a broken chain for an 8 cassette, and my roomie couldn't shift the Cogs to the granny except manually. Since my temporary wheel was clunky today, we both essentially road the entire day in the small rings, which really wasn't a problem given the climbing. The bike shop deserves mentioning given that they put a number of mechanics on our issues immediatelly on a busy Saturday afternoon, and have us all up and running. They had my wheel set on a new bike on the showroom floor, but would not break-up the set for just the rear wheel, so I now have a mixed and match wheel set. Not my preference but beggars can't be choosers. The ydid call around town, and no other shop had anything better then the Mavic they put on. See ya.....

Day 6: The ups and downs of cycling

Prescott to Cottonwood, Ariz
Miles: 37.8 part of 40
Time: 3:13
Total Ascent: 2356ft
Average: 11.8
Max Speed: 30.6
Est. Calories: 2438

Well, today was better than expected. I was not as strong as I would have liked given my travails of yesterday, but the short day today (40miles) and a later start time helped the recovery. But, I still had an up and down kind of day, as you will see. (Due to the late time, I'll be adding pictures on Sunday during our OFF day.)

Like most days, we start by getting up and slathering ourselves with "ODE D'SPF45", with an ample supply of various Butt-Balms, while still dark out. We then pump up tires. We did have a nice down hill out of town today, and then joined the world of false flats and a fairly serious climb up to the highest point of the ride at 7,032ft of elevation. From the top of the climb we had a 12 mile down hill. Some bikers were smart enough to take a SAG down the hill...Hill hell, it was a mountain. After only 7 miles down, we came to Jerome, an old mining town right on the edge of the mountain that has turned into a tourest town.

We did meet a 20 year old with a hybrid (being kind) with a trailer, at the SAG at the summit of the hill. The significance of this is that he also didn't have rear breaks, and he passed me flying down the next 12 miles downhill, with a casual "on your left". You should know that the corners of the road going down were like wash-boards from cars breaking into these corners on hot days, pushing the macadam up. Fearless or foolish, I do hope he gets where he is going.

In Jerome we downed a couple of great (for real) burgers at the Jerome Palace. While at the Palace we were talking to a couple next to us from Boston of all places. The conversation included discussions about Anchor House (see INTRO for more on Anchor House), and they asked how they could learn more. I gave them the AH site and my blog address, with the hope that something good will come of their interest.

Once out of the restaurant, we continued our 12 mile down hill from the summit. I suggested the Bob and I stop occassionally stop to cool our rims; especially given the 90+ degree day, lengthy stretch of "scrubbing speed", and for me, the extra weight. We of course were doing just fine, when about 500 feet from the end of the down hill, and I lost the rear tire....a complete and major blow out. Between the blow out and trying to stop, there wasn't anything left of the tire to speak of. While trying to slow down, I managed to take a round tire and make it somewhat flat. I really couldn't afford to put all the stopping effort on the front and take a chance that that tire would go down too, and leave me with no control. And no, don't ask how fast I was going, because I have no clue. The good news was that I didn't "lose"it and have to go down, and the "SAG" wagon was soon on the scene to bring me in the last 3 miles. I had a tire with me. but the wheel rim was now like a razor, and it would not hold a tire. While there was a wheel in the storage truck that I will be able to use for a day, I will have the pleasure of buying a new wheel when we get into Flagstaff tomorrow.

Oh, well, they did bill this tour as an "Adventure", and I seem to be getting my share of adventure this first week. One other biker said that I should not buy a lotto ticket because I have used up all my luck. See ya...

On the right is a piece of the 12 mile down hill with the town and the hotel well on the distant horizen. And yes, it is steeper then it looks.

Days 3-4-5: I'm Back.

Indio to Blythe, Calif. -----Blythe Calif to Wickenburg, Ariz--- Wickenburg to Prescott, Ariz
Miles: 101.7 ---116.7 ---42.9 part of 59
Time: 6:35 ---8:18--- 3:54
Total ascent: 3022ft ----3217--- 3328
Aver Speed: 14.5--- 14.0--- 11.0
Max Speed: 27.6 ---26.5 ---32.8
Est Calories: 6788 ---7762--- 3367


I am fortunate enough to have a roomie with a computer, but the last few days have been so long that by the time he was done with his blog, I was in a comma.

Day 2 was an obstacle course. Truck tire shrapnel everywhere. We were on Interstate 10 most of the day, and the pieces of the blown truck tires were everywhere. You were constantly dodging wires, rubber, and various sundry other metal parts that find themselves flying off trucks at one time or another. Flats were the order of the day. Some folks have multiples. I had a two-fer. I have two shards of wire in the same tire, but only one flat: one imbedded, and one long piece flopping along on the outside of my tire like a small pig's tail. Fun!!! The heat didn't help things. We heard many different temperatures up to 109 degrees. Regardless, once over a hundred, IT'S HOT. The "breezes" were like standing behind a tow-motor with the engine running.

Day 3 was a bit better from a temperature stand point(still a hundred or better), but longer. This was the longest day of the tour (115I really didn't think that a couple of degrees made a difference once you were over a hundred, but surprisely, it did. Plus, moving into Arizona give us a bit more vegetation, and overall a bit more scenery. Where there some growing crops being watered in couple of places upwind, we got a "cool" breeze.

Day 4 I had a bout with Montazuma's revenge. I barely made it to the 42 mile mark and SAGged in from there. So, I gave up the "no flat" bragging rights yesterday, and gave up the "no SAG" today. I hope things will be better for tomorrow, but right now I'm still alittle weak. Even as things were getting bad, I had the pleasure of grinding up the steepest climb to date, with grades 8% range for 7.6 miles. We've have had many other longer climbs but less steap, like 11 miles, in the 1 to 4% range of grades. Too bad I wasn't feelling better, because we did go through a nice valley with horses, and crops, but I really wasn't up to spectating, just getting the day over.

These longer climbs are just crinders. We had a number of those today along with false flats (seem flat but are 1-3 grades)and false tops,(that climb after you think your at the top) as well as the BIG BOY. All in all, inclines that keep on giving. Two more days of climbing before our first rest day on Sunday. See ya..................

Day 2-First Real Test

Riverside to Indio, Calif.
Miles: 85.5
Time: 5:35
Total ascent: 2741ft
Aver Speed: 15.3
Max Speed: 33.4
Est Calories: 5833

The day started cool and overcast, just as yesterday, but the sun came out early, and we gave up any shade for the drama of the desert well before 10AM. This was the first real day of riding: A bit longer than yesterday, 5+ mile climbs at 5-6 percent grades, 100 degree temperatures in the desert, a few crashes (no serious injuries), and serious winds (fortunately mostly at our backs). You knew that there was going to be the serious winds, not just because we were told, but because we saw the wind farms on both sides of the canyon. I've never "free wheeled" (no pedalling) for over ten miles before, and certainly not at 30+ miles an hour. I was breaking periodically just to keep control.

Bob Fuller and I came up on a couple of solo riders, some miles apart, late in the day, and we slowed a bit to give a pull and help them in. It wasn't a hero thing, but I just didn't think that they should be alone in this heat.

All told, I was pleased with my stamina today, and hope that I will be as fortunate the next two days (centuries both). But, the best part of the day was the rootbeer float 2 miles from the hotel. See ya................

Day 1-Technology...bah humbug!

LA to Riverside, Calif.
Miles: 79
Time: 5:28
Total ascent: 2448ft
Aver Speed: 13.6
Max Speed: 30.4
Est Calories: 5210


I'm still wrestling with my plethera of techno junk. True confessions: first I pushed a bunch of the wrong buttons on the Garmin and ended up getting directions from some previous ride telling me were to turn...NOT GOOD. I readjusted the Garmin setting while climbing off the beach after some 5 miles from the hotel. I then had to spend the rest of the day adjusting what I was looking at on the Garmin to compensate for what the real directions and distances were from the cue sheets used to direct us to the next hotel each day. Well, I made it here despite myself.

Second FUBAR: I failed to recharge my camera's battery last night, so as soon as we got to the Manhatten Beach Pier, the battery died. Therefore, the only way I'm going have some pictures of the "wheel dipping" and group picture at the ocean is to get copies from my roomie later on. What a Dunce!

Otherwise the day was great. Cloudy and cool for half the day, and terrain that was very flat for the most part. I won't talk about the missed turn that gave us an extra 400-500 feet of climbing for the day. Despite the overall great day and flat ride, the average speed was so low because every 38 feet there was a red light, all the way from LA, or at least it seemed that way. In between we were moving briskly along around 16-17 mph. I've got to get over this average stuff. Remember, this is just a tour, and we only have some 86 more SAG stops to go. So, it's time for the eat, drink and sleep part of this daily ritual, as we have nicely completed today's riding part. All's well as we get ready for our first push into the Mojave Desert starting tomorrow.

Well, no more waiting............

Here we go sports fans!!!! My bike will be on its way to Boston starting tomorrow at 7AM, with a junket to the Pacific Ocean for the obligatory rear wheel dip in the ocean and then it's off to Riverside some 75 miles away. The front wheel will have to wait until the Atlantic Ocean for it's dip. My goal is to be on my bike when it gets to Boston. It will be interesting, to whom I'm not sure, how things develop over the next 43 days of riding, eating, drinking, sleeping: Repeat! 43 times.

48 HRS to Go

We arrived in LA last night. This morning we join ed 4 other riders for a 25 miler bike ride to work out the travel kinks, and check the set-up of the bikes. We were led by a local rider who took us down to the bike path along the ocean, thru Venice Beach and on to Santa Monita pier (see picture on the right), after going around the Marina Del Rey. After the usual picture time-out (see right), we returned to the hotel. Great tune-up ride and great weather. Here's hoping the same for our long first day on Sunday.

I have a cousin here in LA, Marne, who has gratiously agreed to feed and water my roommate, Bob andme tonight. Tomorrow will be the first get together with the whole group, and have a general orientation from CrossRoads about how the logistics of the riding days are to work, and then we have the first group dinner and set about getting some sleep for the big first day. See ya..............