BikerAl Across America 2018

Much warmer last nite and this morning.  Totally dry tent, so opposite from yesterday.  And we were camped at 6900 ft.  The day before was 4880.  We just never know what to expect.

Left camp with still lots of clothes on and after the first 10 miles, we were shedding clothes like crazy.  By the time we reached camp, the temperature was near 70 degrees.  What a change from yesterday.  I couldn’t get warm last night and tonight I’m sitting here with shorts and a sleeveless blouse on.  It is just unreal.  I’m glad it is a little warmer.  This temperature would be nice for the rest of the trip.  However, they do call for rain again tomorrow.  We’ll see.

We rode to the highest point on rte 66 today.  It was called the Arizona Divide at 7335 feet.  On pictures like this one, if you tap on it, you should be able to spread it apart and make it bigger.  Worked for me when I tried it.  I couldn’t make it bigger on the road for some reason.  Operator error, I’m sure.

The second picture is an old rte 66 building called Desoto’s Salon with a car on top of the roof.  Lots of rte 66 stuff in this town.

We also went through Williams, AZ today which is one of my favorite rte 66 towns.  It is the gateway to the Grand Canyon so is probably a huge tourist trap in the summer.  But I still like it.  Just has class.

After the first 10 miles, we had lots of downhill.  Close to Ash Fork, we had a six mile downhill at 6% grade.  I really don’t like that much down.  I pumped my brakes a lot and talked to my bike so we could stay around 30 mph.  If I had let it run without braking, I bet I could have cruised near 50 mph.  Too dang fast for me.

57.8 miles today . 5735.9 total

Today turned out a whole lot better than it started.  It was so cold last night that when I woke up at 2 am and needed to go to the bathroom, I could not make myself get out of the tent.  So I talked myself into holding it until 6am.  When I did get up, our tents were the wettest they have ever been.  The condensation was unreal.  No biggy except when taking down the tent and handling cold tent poles and stakes,  with the cold temps, my hands became numb, just like the other day riding in the rain.

I have a routine in the morning as I take down my tent and checking my tires is part of that.  And today my rear tire was flat.  I really didn’t need that on a cold, wet morning.  It was to be a long day so I immediately became frazzled.  I called upon Mark to help me again.  Bless his soul.  Flat tires just send me into a tizzy fit.  As a result, I forgot to fill my water bottles and forgot to take my vitamins.  I ate breakfast on the run.  Never did find anything in the tire but I’m sure it came from the interstate.  Since that rainy day a couple days ago, my flat was the 12th one in the group.

Of course, we had to ride the interstate again today, 40 miles, and I just hoped and prayed that I wouldn’t get another one.  I always check my tires whenever we stop and I did pull a wire out of the front tire.  There is so much debris on the interstate shoulders from trucks that have flat tires.  Sometimes I feel like I’m trying to avoid land mines.

As I rode through Winslow, I had to take a picture of two corners.  You should recognize them.

As we rode out of town, you could see where we were headed.  Look carefully for the snow capped peaks.

That was from over 50 miles away.  This next one is half way there.

Notice the terrain didn’t change much in 30 miles.  Pretty boring riding until the last 10 miles.

Once we all got in, Jared took some of us to the REI in Flagstaff to get some much needed items.  I got a pair of Gortex mittens to fit over my cycling gloves so hopefully my hands will stay dry and warm when we have rain again.

60.8 miles today . 5678.1 total

Such a change from two days ago.  Temps in the low 40’s this morning, sun poking through, no wind.  A pleasant day to ride.  Had to stop once and take off clothes.  Actually, got overly warm.

We had one road that was rougher than heck.  It looked like they poured asphalt an inch or two deep across the road in every little crack there was.  My gosh, that was painful.  It looked like a big spiderweb and you absolutely could not miss any of them.  Even Jared, our leader, said it was awful.

We had to ride 15 miles on the interstate again today.  Looks like more tomorrow, too.

Our ride was short today and half of us got to camp way before noon.  Tho’t I’d show how we set up.  This is the only picture today.  Just nothong to take pictures of.  Flat desert as far as you can see.

One of the things I’ve noticed in OK, TX, NM and AZ are the number of ramshackle houses and trailers with copious amounts of junk or garbage in the yards, accompanied by a ferocious dog or two, and blessed with a brand new pickup.  My feeling is they definitely have their priorities confused.  And I’d almost bet they are on food stamps or other government assisted programs.  The pick up truck has to be a status symbol.  How they can live in those conditions is beyond me.

On the contrary, I have a nice house, not a thing in the yard other than my two really old vehicles which still run, and NO dog.  To each his own.  I’d love to have a new vehicle but I love my antique truck.  Over 360.000 miles, no original paint anywhere, but he still runs and is a work horse.  No One has anything like him.  FORD recalled all the silver pickups back in the early nineties but I never got a notice.  So when I inquired about it, I was told they no longer honored the recall and I’d have to paint it myself.  Fat chance.  So all the paint is gone and if a rust spot shows up, I spray paint it.  Works for me.  I feel like if he is parked in a parking lot with lots nicer looking trucks, he is probably safer from being stolen than the pretty ones.

39.2 miles today . 5617.3. Total

Busy rest day but warm for the most part.  Yesterday, I was enthralled with the “Rivers” running in the washes as they looked like Pepto Bismol.  They were so pink from the red soil and the water was thick.  I couldn’t get a picture and didn’t see it today.

I mentioned that I saw water standing in the desert.  Well, today I did get a shot of that.  I”m not lying.

Yesterday, we rode over Big and Little Lithodendron Wash.  Normally dry but raging from all the rain.  They are not rivers because most of the time they are dry.  But with the unusual rain they have had the last two days, they looked like a river.  I just loved the name.

So yesterday, Francis had three flats and ran out of tubes.  Allison had two flats and was over it.  I would have been over it with the first flat.  Both had flats from the wires of the tires that blew apart on the interstate.  I checked my bike tires today and found one wire in my tire,  pulled it out and hope to heck it didn’t go through to the tube.

Today, five of us went to the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, courtesy of our two leaders.  We had a great time and even though I’ve driven through it before, it was exciting to see it again.  I was with six other guys and my senior park pass got all of us through at no charge.  Cool!

Now I could show you a shot from behind as they were all taking the same photo but decided there was more interesting things for you to see.

The painted desert is one of my favorites.  So beautiful.

After the Painted Desert we went through the Petrified Forest.  I just love the over 100 ft long petrified log which has been reinforced with concrete underneath it so it isn’t eroded away.

We rode on the interstate yesterday right along side all this beauty and would never have known it was there.  You can’t see it from the interstate even though you are within a mile or so from it in many areas.

Went to dinner at an Italian restaurant with four of the guys from today and thoroughly stuffed myself.  It was so good.  Good thing we had to walk a half mile there and back.  Had a really good time today.  Back on the bike tomorrow..

 

Oh, my gosh, what a terrible day.  I never ride in these conditions.  Last nite we took a vote on whether we wanted to ride the route of 71 miles that would have taken us through the Petrified Forest National Park in heavy rain all day or ride 51 miles of interstate and still ride in the rain but shorter and less hilly.  It was unanimous to ride the interstate and am I ever glad.  It was 41 degrees when we left and I was able to ride 10 miles before the rain hit.  But the last 40 miles were relentless.

I changed gloves twice and finally had to flag down the van to get other gloves.  I could not feel my fingers and I had 20+ miles to go.  As it was, I had to stop five miles from camp at a gas station and warm them up again.  I had every piece of clothing on I could wear today in anticipation of it being even colder than yesterday with the rain.  Once you get wet and add a little wind, it doesn’t take long to get super chilled.  I pedaled as fast as I could and prayed for a couple hills so I could get warm.  I was really on the edge when I got here.  And I was first to arrive today.  No lollygagging on my part.

A couple times I was hoping for a flat tire so I could get a sag.  I could never have changed a tire with cold fingers in the rain along the interstate.  I wouldn’t even have tried.

Obviously, I didn’t take any pictures today.  Once the rain started, it never stopped.  I had my pannier covers on and my panniers still got wet from all the puddle splash.  Everything is wet tonite.  I’m doing laundry and with all my dirty clothes and wet stuff from today, I could hardly find enough clothes to put on.  So I’m standing here in the laundry room shivering.  I just want to go back to my cabin and crawl in my sleeping bag.

Yesterday and today we had a tail wind which was the only redeeming grace of both days.  Consequently, I rode 14.3 mph yesterday and 15.0 today.  I wasn’t even trying.  Just rode downhill with a desire to get to camp.  The wind was an awesome benefit.

Several riders today had flats, a couple multiple flats.  I was lucky and am very thankful that I made it, frozen hands and all.  Several riders also sagged today and I don’t blame them at all.  It was on my mind half the ride.  I was so worried about my cold hands and just kept hoping for more hills.  We had very few and they were very gentle so hard to work up heat.  But I figured if I pedaled line a mad fool, that would warm me up.  It did, all but my hands.  When I got in my cabin, it took 10 minutes or more before I could get my helmet off because my fingets just wouldn’t work.  Kinda scary and very frustrating.

Tomorrow is a much needed rest day and we are in KOA cabins here in Holbrook.  We have a little space heater in our room of a double bed and two bunks.  It”s just us two ladies so it will be fine.  I may sleep as if I were in my tent.  Not very warm in here right now.  Just glad to be inside.

46.9 miles today .5578.1 total

28 degrees when we left camp this morning.  I really had to talk to myself for quite a while before getting out of my sleeping bag.  I could feel a cold breeze inside my tent and it was not conducive to moving.  When I finally decided to move, I ended up with seven layers on top, two hats, and plastic bags on my feet.  I could hardly bend over but I was fairly warm.  Geez, I don’t ride in this weather at home.  Maybe four more days and we’ll lose elevation and get warmer.

Crossed into AZ and this was the only sign I saw stating so.

The scenery was very nice in this area but then it got boring soon after.

A sign I saw too late was really funny.  I am assuming this is a pun on Trump.  It  said ‘Make chief great again’.  I just laughed.

We had a tail wind and it was mostly downhill all the way.  I averaged 14.3 miles an hour, a first for me and I wasn’t pushing it.  Just kept moving to try to stay warm.  No bathroom break and only stopped twice for pictures.  I had two pair of gloves on and it was really awkward to try to do anything except ride.  Just wanted to get there so I could get in where it was warm.

Six of us got to our destination early so we had a second breakfast in the restaurant.  We are out in the boonies again and seriously, the only thing here at this interstate exchange is a gas station and the Days Inn where we are staying that has an attached restaurant.  No houses, absolutely nothing else.

After that storm moved through late afternoon yesterday, our leaders decided it was just too miserable to cook dinner so we all went to a barbecue place.  It was warm inside and more than enough food.  So my partner and I will cook our meal tonite outside the Days Inn.

The question was asked how we do this.  The first time we had to cook, we got to pick partners.  After that, we have been assigned to a different person each time.  Several guys only want to be sous chefs.  “Just tell me what to do”.  A couple are quite proficient at cooking and want to be in charge.  Fine by me.  I can go either way. Being in charge is kinda stressful because you want to please everyone and we have two vegetarians, a couple don’t eat onions, and there are various likes and dislikes.  My feeling is if I don’t like the main meal that is cooked, there is plenty still to eat.  We usually have a salad, meat of some sort, veggies, bread, and always dessert.  Plus our trailer has food in it 24/7 and we never go hungry.  In fact, I think we are overfed.  Can’t lose weight on this trip.

The leaders take turns being a cooking partner since there are 11 riders.  And each group is responsible for their own menu.  They give a grocery list to the van driver that day and our leader buys the food.  It works really well.

49.5 miles today.  5531.2 total

Our last day in New Mexico and it went out with a bang.  Cool this morning and drizzly rain until about half way, then it really rained hard.  The four guys I was leap frogging with took shelter under trees or bushes.  I just kept riding.  I figured I’d just get cold if I stood around.

Fortunately, the second half of the ride today had lots of hills so that helped to warm me up.  My toes were wet and cold for a while but not bad.  One rider did ask for a ride because he tho’t he was on the verge of hypothermia.  He couldn’t get warm enough even riding up hill to quit shaking.  Good call on his part.

The last four miles looked really ominous so I put my rain gear back on that I had just taken off 20 minutes earlier when I got to the last big hill.  It started to sprinkle off and on as I was trying to put my tent up.  Went to the shower immediately after and by the time I got back to my tent, it really started to rain hard.  The wind blew and we had some hail and lots of heavy rain.  While sitting in my tent, I noticed I have a leak right above my feet.  Great.  Hope we don’t get any more heavy rains.

Couldn’t take any pictures today because of the rain.  All my panniers had their rain covers on and I have to tie them with baby bungy chords so the wind doesn’t blow them off.  It’s a pain to get into them plus I didn’t want to get anything wet.

Steve and I are cooking hamburgers and hot dogs tonight with potato salad, macaroni salad and baked beans.  Trying to keep it simple so we don’t have to clean up lots in the dark.

60.0 miles today.  5485.3 total

First, I’ll send my pictures from yesterday.

Went to bed dressed for the predicted 36 degrees and woke up hot.  I had to take off my socks, hat and vest and open up my sleeping bag.  I was boiling.  And the temp never did get below 46 degrees.  We had a nice cloud cover.

Right out of camp, we passed a town called San Raphael.   It was very shabby looking with junk everywhere except for this one building that stood out like a beacon.  I have no idea what it was.

 

The ride today was nice, cool but not too cool.  I always have a hard time knowing how to dress.  I don’t like to be hot and if I am, I don’t climb very well.  So I stop a lot to shed clothes or put them back on.  Gives me an excuse to rest my butt.

We did climb up to the continental divide today.  That climb was so much more pleasant than the never ending miles of 2% grade.

Pretty sparse territory out here.  Rarely a house between towns that are 30-40 miles apart and then not much there.  Tough place to live to make a living.  Just high desert.

39.7 miles today.   Don’t have these numbers with me today.

We had a warm morning today, 49 degrees, to start out instead of in the 30’s.  Plus no downhill for a long time so we could built up heat instead of freezing the first few miles.  We did have a long hill right out of camp but that was fine.  Didn’t have to wear as many clothes either.

Had to ride the interstate first thing for 23 miles.  Most of it was ok except for a short section of pitso shoulder.  It was really rough and dirty.  When I say dirty, I mean littered with debris of all kinds that didn’t get blown off into the grass.  The biggest problem with riding interstates, other than the big trucks and campers that don’t get over, is all the debris which causes flat tires.  I think we all lucked out today.

At one point, once we were off the interstate, the interstate went through a cut in the rocks and our road went down and around the big red mesa.  Got a picture but still can’t upload.  You may get all these pictures from today, tomorrow.

I have noticed ever since Texas that there have been an occasional gourd plant along the highway.  Saw several again today and finally took pictures but, again,  can’t get any to upload tonight.

About 15 miles before camp, a lava band appeared, not real wide but as I rode along, the lava band kept getting wider.  At camp, I took the half mile walk through the lava and saw the two volcanos, both of which don’t look like the volcanos I’m used to seeing.  But this lava flowed 115,000 years ago.  On the walk, the signs also mentioned the tarantula and three kind of snakes very prominent in the area.  Not leaving shoes outside the tent.

Tonight is supposed to get down to 36 degrees.  I’ll look like the Michelin man in the morning.  I can always carry clothes but I really don’t want to start out cold.  I never ride in these temps at home.

I am not a dog person and really dislike (hate) dogs in general.  There have only been three dogs in my lifetime that I can tolerate.  The reason, they are obnoxious and always want to jump on you or slobber or bark and attack.  And the worst are the ones who chase you on a bike.

Today was a case in point.  Mark was riding along and this dog came after him and ran right in front of his bike.  He hit it, ran over it, and went straight over the handle bars.  Road rash and a separated shoulder all because of a stupid dog who wants to chase you and harass you.  Most look like they want to bite you and often , bikers are bitten.  Not a pleasant thing.  The thing I hate most about riding a bike is DOGS.  I hate them. I usually carry a hand size bear spray to use on dogs but I had to leave it behind when I flew home from Canada.  Sure wish I had had it a couple times on this trip.

Staying in a nice KOA in Grants tonite.

62.8 miles today .  5385.6 Total

Left camp early with temps in the upper 30’s.  The first eight miles or so were all downhill and it was cold.  My fingers felt like blocks of ice.  Had to stop once to warm them up.  I rode with Mark so I could follow him through Albuquerque.  What a pleasant big town.  It was very bike friendly.  Had color coded bike path signs, a bike boulevard that went through most of the town, and special bike lanes at certain intersections.  This was my one and only big town that I’ve liked so far.

This is a picture from the west side of town looking way down town.  We rode 20 miles through town and it was not hairy at all.

These are some of the things we rode through.  And this is Mark.

As I was approaching our hotel for tonite, this is the view from about five miles away.  I am not kidding that it is out in the middle of nowhere.  There is nothing here but the casino and a gas station.  So Wierd.

Across from the gas station was an abandoned historic rte 66 bridge over the Rio Puerto which is totally dry right now.

About six miles from our camp this morning, we went through a town called Tijeras.  Two miles to the west of it, we were supposed to hear the singing hiway where when cars were going eastbound, we would hear America, the beautiful.  We stopped twice in the area where we tho’t it should be but we didn’t hear anything.  I was hoping we would so I wouldn’t be so skeptical.  But, alas, I’m still skeptical.

My bruised chest is better but still quite painful.  Hard to roll over in bed.  I feel every bump on the road and try to brace for them but I miss a lot.  That is the worst part.

47.3 miles today.    5322.8 total