Windy........

Today was a long and windy day, or I should say a very extremely windy day! 94 miles riding in the cross winds, forget about the average miles per hour....but just in case you were wondering, it was 14.9.

We also experienced some pretty bad shoulders to ride on, full of gravel, holes and tire debris. At last count there were 17 flat tires today. I say thanks and bless you to the Tire and Tube Gods that I was not one of those 17. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

On our way to Holbrook, we rode through Winslow AZ and "Stood on the corner of Winslow Arizona.......just me and the Eagles baby.

We stopped at the Jack Rabbit for one of our last sag stop and got to have our picture on "Mr. Rabbit", can you say Yahoo boys and girls!! Makes you feel like a kid again.

6 hours and 21 minutes after beginning my ride, I finally pulled into the hotel. Can you say "wind blown and gritty" boys and girls!

Sorry Bob no snake sitings again today, I just don't think they like living close to the Highway. Too noisy.

So now I must get ready for our ride tomorrow. I've heard it windier, has hills and we ride for 88 miles. Can you say OMG boys and girls!

Flagstaff, Arizona Rest Day One

Today, no stop lights, no "false flats", no mountain passes, and no dead snakes spotted.....it's a rest day! Wahooooooo

So no pictures of cycling, just rest and relaxation. I had the most marvelous massage that worked out all my kinks. We head out to Halbrook, AZ tomorrow, so as Willie sings....."On the road again".........

I hope you all have a great week, I know I will!

Through the "Vortex" and on to Flagstaff

Yes, I am writing this before all my East Coast family and friends go to bed, it was another short day to ride 46 miles, plus no pictures of me because of the beautiful landscape of Sedona, need I say more. I just hope the pictures I did take do justice to this amazing place!

The route went straight through Sedona right by the Pink Jeep Tour Office, up Oak Creek Canyon then up to the Coconino National Forest and into Flagstaff. The Coconino National Forest had some incredible views too!

Sorry Bob no snake sightings today. If they were smooched on the road, I missed them as I took in all the beautiful scenery. I did see a smooched skunk, does that count?

Tomorrow is a rest day, one well deserved as we have ridden over 500 miles during our first week and climbed to many hills and mountains and ridden through about 100 stop lights since leaving Manhattan Beach last Sunday May 9th.

Climb Chris Climb

Today was another short mileage day, 44 miles, but it certainly wasn't easy. We had one more "false flat" where Jeff, Sandy and I encountered a swarm of bees flying over our heads, we pedaled as fast as we could to get out of there, Jeff won that race!! No one was stung and then we began our 10 mile climb up Mingus Mountain. At the top awaiting us an elevation of 7,023 feet. Not as high as you'll be climbing Tim when you do Ride the Rockies this year, but that elevation works for me!

I had a very controlled descent, stopping a couple of times to take pictures, ...or at least that's my story and I'm sticking with it!!! The road you see in the picture was part of our descent. Can't see it get out your magnifying glass. When we rolled into Jerome we stopped for lunch and even had time for a little shopping.

My ride time today was 3 1/2 hours at an average speed of 12.9 mph, I'm happy with that especially with the hills we covered. Bob the snake count for today is one more smooched snake. Guess they must have heard I was coming and they stayed off the roads.

False Flats and Mountains

Today was an extremely challenging day despite the fact it was a short day of riding, 59 miles.

We took Route 89N to Prescott climbing two mountains. The first mountain began with what are called "false flats". That means the road that you're riding on looks flat but actually has a small incline.

Once we rode this, we began a 7.3 miles up the mountain to Yarnell Pass. One false flat and mountain climb down, one more to do. That 5.7 climb was from Skull Valley/Kirkland Jct. to Prescott and at the top reached an elevation of 6,100 feet. My time today was 5 hours 41 minutes at an average speed of 10.6 mph.

I did have help riding today, I worn by Cadillac jersey which I know kept me going up the mountains! Thank you again Art for the great jersey!!!

I have another snake update, Bob not only did I see about 5 "smooched" snakes, I actually ran over one that was crawling across the white shoulder line that I happen to be riding on. I never saw the black and white ringed snake until my front tire rolled over it. Make that 6 smooched snakes!

From California to Arizona

We crossed our first state line today. In addition to that it was our first back to back Century days. Today was actually a Century Plus day, 115 miles. I road that in 7 hours 34 minutes at an average speed of 15.3.

We entered Arizona on Highway 10 then turned on to Route 60 which was a pretty good road for the first 20 miles, then the shoulders got rather rough. We rode through a town called Hope and I thought wouldn't it be nice if we could just "hope" for better roads and it happen. Well let me tell you just when we were "beyond Hope" the shoulders smoothed out, it was amazing! Seriously, there is a sign leaving town saying "you Are Now Beyond Hope"!

We spent a lot of the day climbing, 7 mile hill here, 11 mile hill here but riding into Wickenburg was all down hill which was greatly appreciated those 15 miles.

By the way Bob, I forgot to tell you that on day 2 I saw 4 smooched snakes and I saw another one today. Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you! Ha, Ha!

Rolling Down I-10

Today we spent the day riding the shoulder of I-10, another crazy day for miles 100.5 and average speed 16.8. We began by climbing for 12 miles, don't think we're in Virginia anymore!! Now that voice in my head is screaming at me about something...I was so busy peddling that I couldn't understand what she was saying! Then after a sag stop we climbed 11 more miles but not as steep. Now I know we're really not in Virginia anymore!

It's crazy riding on the shoulders of the highway and looking for the perfect conditions, a tail wind which sometimes happened and the other time it's a head wind. We passed by the exit for the Twentynine Palms, salute to the Marines, Semper Fi!!!

The rest of our ride was windy and hot, but not unbearable. I rolled into Blyth about 2:30, that was a great time for me. Thanks to the Tire and Tube "Gods" no flats which is amazing considering all the thrown tires from trucks. To help with recovery, I used the whirlpool and drank chocolate milk. The whirlpool was delightful!

Tomorrow is another long day, 115 miles and hopefully not to hot. Time to get some sleep and finish my recovery!!!