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..................