Cottonwood to Flagstaff, AZ

47 miles, 3:54 hours riding, 4,380 feet of climbing, and 3,287 Calories burned.

Please note the 4,380 feet of climbing! Flagstaff is 7,000 feet above sea level and we spent all day accumulating each foot of elevation. The most difficult climb was 2.2 miles of up to 8% grade to the first, and only, SAG of the day. But, it was a GREAT…no, make that FANTASTIC DAY!

We rode through picturesque Sedona and then up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. It was a glorious day, with blue skies, puffy white clouds, cool in the canyon during the morning and very comfortable on the high plateau leading into town.

Sedona is famous for its red rocks, scenic views, spiritual flavor, and is considered to be an important nexus of the universe. I stopped to get my fortune told ("you will go far"), do a little aroma therapy (eucalyptus oil), and sit in a pyramid (to focus the universal energy). They didn't have a pyramid big enough for my bicycle, which could use some energy).

Actually, as those of you who know me have guessed, I didn't really stop, but I thought about it!

Rick, is one of the CrossRoads' staff. Normally, a mild mannered pharmacist in a small Texas town, Rick is CR's mechanic who often rides "sweep" to pick up the last riders. Today, he charged ahead to time trial up the switchbacks at the head of Oak Creek Canyon. Chris and I chased him, but neither of us could get close; both Chris and Rick beat me to the top. We had lunch together in Flagstaff before checking into the hotel.

Tomorrow is our first "rest day." I'm not sure what I will do. There's always laundry. Maybe I'll go for a bike ride. J

Prescott to Cottonwood, AZ

44 miles, 3:12 riding time, 2,477 feet of ascent; 1,935 Calories

Today was a short day, so we didn't leave Prescott until 9:15. The later start made for a more relaxed morning, eating a leisurely breakfast and packing up our bags. We were warned that the hotel in Cottonwood was notorious for not making the rooms available until 3:00, so no rush to get there. I left the parking lot a little after everyone and rode at an easy pace out of town. At fifteen miles, we turned onto Route 89A and headed north into the climb in earnest. I spotted Jack R stopped beside the road; he was taking a breather and drinking some water. He asked me, if I had seen the antelope. WHAT? WHERE? There were two small herds of antelope grazing in the distance! Unfortunately, too far to get a picture with my "happy snappy." I'm so glad Jack pointed them out, I hadn't see them until then. Really cool!

As I passed the Yavapai Fair Grounds, I saw a sign saying the Jumping Cholos were having a dog agility meet this weekend. [explanatory note: My daughter, Pamela, and my good friend, Bob, run their dogs in agility contests.]

I was taking it easy, no rush to hurry into Cottonwood. I stopped to photograph some flowers and slowly ground my way up the mountain to Mingus Pass - elevation 7,023 feet. Oh, yes - I wore my St. Peter's Bicycle Club jersey today. The Palos Verdes Bike Club jersey saw daylight, yesterday.

After leaving Mingus Pass, it was all downhill into Cottonwood, seventeen miles of steep downhill and hairpin turns. It was too bad the pavement wasn't in better shape. Afraid of potholes and rough pavement, I alternately braked, left and right, to slow my descent. Part of the way off the mountain, I passed trough the picturesque town of Jerome, an old mining town that is now a tourist attraction. I had meant to stop in Jerome for lunch, but never saw any of my bike buddies, so I rolled through town and on into Cottonwood. On the left was a Sonic drive in, so I stopped for a double cheeseburger and large, chocolate shake before going on the hotel.

To answer a couple of questions: yes, we get a rest day in Flagstaff on Sunday. When someone gets a fl*t, we have a fl*t party. Unfortunately, the time it takes to change a flat is directly proportional to the number of people trying to help.

The last picture is of "rumble strips" cut into the asphalt to warn motorists if they start to run off the road. Strange the things you notice at fifteen miles per hour.

Wickenburg to Prescott, AZ

60 miles, 4:27 hours of riding, 5,065 feet of climbing, 3,358 Calories

Now this is more like it! The desert in this part of Arizona is beautiful right now.

We spent the greatest part of the day climbing; experiencing the pain of "false flats," terrain that looks flat but is actually uphill, and "false peaks," when you think you are coming to the end of a long climb and discover, when you get there, that it isn't the top and the hill goes on forever. We went over one pass at 6,100 feet!

But, on the positive side, the wildflowers are in bloom and the sweet scent of pine greeted us at elevation. The last five miles were all downhill into Prescott; a great treat after climbing all morning.

Keep the comments coming! I read all of them. Pamela, get that bike out there and ride! Bob asked about the characters - Peter is a Brit who has lived in NYC for thirty years (sixty years old); Rich is a retired paramedic from New Mexico (in his forties). Both are thoroughbreds and very strong riders. Unfortunately, Rich is leaving us in Gallup, NM.

Tomorrow is a short day into Cottonwood, more climbing and false flats!

Blythe, CA to Wickenburg, AZ

116 miles, 7:20 riding time, 5,774 Calories, 2580 feet of ascent
TWO FL*TS!!!!

Today was a very, very long day. After riding a century yesterday, we topped that with another century plus, today. We got back on I-10 for the crossing of the Colorado River into Arizona. Each of us has been given a small vial of California beach sand to sprinkle on the state lines; this is supposed to appease the wind fairies, assuring favorable winds on our rides. Not one to tempt fate, I dutifully poured a small portion of my sand on the Arizona state sign. We'll see if the fairies like our offerings.

The first 36 miles were on I-10, with two long climbs. We finally got off the interstate and took Route 60E through a picturesque desert. Saguaro cactus stood guard by the roadside as we climbed through the low hills, through Brenda, Salome, and Wendon (very small, very isolated little towns). At the SAG (stands for "support and gear") stop, I checked my tires and found a small piece of wire sticking out of the side wall; my first fl*t (we do not use the f-word). The SAG stop was a fortunate place to change the tube - I had shade and access to one of CR's floor pumps. Out of the stop and we started on a long, long, straight road; and I do mean long and straight.

At about the ninety mile mark, my back was beginning to ache. With another twenty-five miles to go, Peter took over and pulled Rich and me into Wickenburg. It was on this stretch that I had my second fl*t! We replaced the tube by the side of the road and rolled down into Wickenburg for the night. I have to say that Peter and Rich were real godsends; their moral support helped me enormously. Thanks, guys!

Rich was very excited - he never thought he would ever be able to do two century rides back to back - he did it with style!

Enough for tonight for tomorrow we climb!

Indio to Blythe, CA

102.5 miles, 6:00 hours riding time, 5,466 calories, 2323 feet of ascent

Well, to be honest, today wasn't much fun. To get to Blythe from Indio, you have to ride on Interstate 10. It's legal for bicycles to use the freeway, if there are no other roads. We left the hotel at 7:15 am to avoid the rising sun and started the day with an eleven-mile climb. The rest of the day was spent on the highway, riding on the shoulder. Luckily, the shoulder is wide on I-10 and the truck drivers are very courteous. Unluckily, there's lots of little bits of steel wire from blown steel-belted radial tires - just waiting to ruin a cyclist's day! A few people had to pull off the road to change a tire. Oh, yes, did I mention it was one-hundred degrees in the shade? Not that there was any shade. We were briefed last night on riding across the desert - everyone carried a backpack water system and two full bottles on their bikes. Many wore white leggings and arm covers - think Lawrence of Arabia! CrossRoads set up a bunch of support stops for refills of Gatorade, water and snacks. It was a long, hot day. I'm glad that we have that behind us. Of course, tomorrow we ride an even longer day through the desert to Wickenburg, Arizona. Crossing the state line, we sprinkle some beach sand on the border to appease the wind gods…

Riverside to Indio, CA

Miles 85
Feet climbed 2435
Calories 4,440
Riding time 4:48

It was cool and overcast when we left Riverside this morning. Right out of the hotel, we started off with a hill climb. It didn't take too long to get out in the country for the first time - wheat fields and cows. I'm still amazed at how much development has taken place in SoCal over the past thirty years. It was nice to be away from the traffic and stop signs. A second, longer climb was followed by what I can only describe as cyclists' heaven - downhill with a tail wind! For many miles, I was sailing along at thirty plus miles per hour without pedaling. The winds in the pass on the way to Palm Springs were perfect, not too strong and not gusting. By the time I got to Palm Springs, the temperature had reached 98 degrees. I have no previous experience in riding in the heat - it wasn't that bad. I just drank lots of fluids and kept going.

Upon reaching the hotel in Indio, I immediately went into the local, fast-food joint and ordered the biggest chocolate shake they sell. Yummy. My bike computer says I burned 4,440 Calories today, so it's OK.

Tomorrow is the big desert crossing into Blythe and our first century ride of the trip. It's going to be one-hundred degrees plus. Wish me well.

Today's pictures are ones Margaret took of the group and me on the pier in Manhattan Beach.

Manhattan Beach to Riverside, CA

79 miles, 5:11 ride time, 1868 feet of climb, and 1940 calories.

At last! After many months of waiting and preparing, the journey began this morning. I didn't think I was excited, but I didn't sleep much last night. I got up before the alarm went off and went in search of a cup of coffee at 5:00 am. The breakfast buffet was at 5:30. We had been told to have our bags ready at 6:30 and be ready to depart the hotel by 7:00. I figured with a large group that the departure would be delayed, waiting for stragglers, but everyone was on time and ready to go. The CrossRoads staff had the cyclists line up in pairs, with an escort vehicle in front and one in back. We paraded through the streets of el Segundo, eventually merging onto the bike path at the beach. A short ride took us to the Manhattan Beach pier. I was met by the Palos Verdes Bike Club, one of my "Presyterian" bike buddies, my wife, daughter, grand puppies, and dear friends, the Webbs and de laneys. What a great send off. Thanks guys, I really appreciated your coming out to see me off.

Some cyclists took their bikes down to the water for a ceremonial wheel dip in the Pacific Ocean. I chose to keep my wheels salt-free, thank you. We gathered for group pictures and, after a brief pep talk by our leader Tracy, we headed east, up the short hill on Manhattan Beach Blvd.

It was a great day to ride, with overcast skies at the beach and cool conditions. The ride across Los Angeles isn't very exciting, lots of traffic even on Sunday morning and lots of lights and stop signs. The pace was good, not too fast and we covered the miles in good time. The ride up Santa Ana Canyon was very pretty - the sun was coming out and the river bike trail is great. Once we got to Riverside, our route took us on Victoria through the orange groves. Forty years ago, this is what most of Southern California looked like, too bad the groves are long gone, replaced by ticky-tacky homes.

We were into the hotel by early afternoon - time for a shower and some carbo-loading for tomorrow.