Today I biked 112 miles from Ash Fork to Kingman, another stop along historic Route 66. 112 miles would mark the cycling leg of an Ironman, and also happens to be the most I've ever biked in a day. In many ways, today was the reverse of our day into Pietown in that we spent most of the day descending, as we finally came off of the Colorado Plateau, but very similar in that it featured a very strong headwind that made you doubt our 2,000 foot elevation loss for the day. The elevation loss was definatley echoed by the increase in temperatures, as today got hotter as the day wore on and as we lost elevation, reaching 95 by second lunch.
After arriving at our host location, Kyle and I sought some donation magic, and secured ourselves some free pizza at Pizza Hut after stocking up with some last minute stuff at the local bike shop, we were able to make it back to our host right before both a lightning storm and a dust storm hit Kingman.
For those planning on visiting me in Santa Barbara, I also found out that our big group dinner will occur on our arrival into SB on the 14th, meaning that I will be free on the 15th for any family that might show up.
Tomorrow we are biking another century into Vegas...
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
8/5- Grand Canyon to Ash Fork
Attention: Blog updated from Portales all the way up to Pietown, NM and then skipped ahead to Grand CAnyon and Today
Today we finally left the Colorado Plateau and spent most of the day retracing our steps from the Grand Canyon. Todays ride was mostly pleasant on some of Arizona's best roads we've encountered, and beside's getting a flat bringing my total to 8 for the trip, today's ride was otherwise enjoyable. Seven of the last ten miles was a 6% downhill.
While I've enjoyed our somewhat circuitous route through the Southwest because it has allowed us to see many interesting sights, and as much as I'm looking forward to Vegas, part of me wishes we kept our first objective of biking cross country in higher priority, as we could have probably been in Santa Barbara by now, if not close. As much as I've enjoyed this trip and the amazing experiences that it has afforded me, I feel as if I'm ready to return home at this point to deal with the life I've left behind these past eight weeks.
Today we finally left the Colorado Plateau and spent most of the day retracing our steps from the Grand Canyon. Todays ride was mostly pleasant on some of Arizona's best roads we've encountered, and beside's getting a flat bringing my total to 8 for the trip, today's ride was otherwise enjoyable. Seven of the last ten miles was a 6% downhill.
While I've enjoyed our somewhat circuitous route through the Southwest because it has allowed us to see many interesting sights, and as much as I'm looking forward to Vegas, part of me wishes we kept our first objective of biking cross country in higher priority, as we could have probably been in Santa Barbara by now, if not close. As much as I've enjoyed this trip and the amazing experiences that it has afforded me, I feel as if I'm ready to return home at this point to deal with the life I've left behind these past eight weeks.
Monday, August 4, 2008
8/4- GRAND CANYON- DAY OFF!
8/4- Grand Canyon- DAY OFF!
Having been convinced that hiking from the rim to the river and back in a day was a foolish idea, I slept in late today (and by late I mean 6:30am), and spent the morning hiking the steep but shorter 3 mile round trip to Cedar Point, which featured over 1,000 feet of elevation change. Having hiked to Cedar Point, I felt that had I woken up at twilight and carried the proper amount of water and food I would have been able to hike rim to river and back in a day, although not in the con
Hiking Grand Canyon was insanely entertaining, and in the future I would like to spend several days hiking in one of the world’s most beautiful natural areas.
After returning from our scenic view of the canyon, I enjoyed a large meal of Huevos Rancheros followed shortly by a cheeseburger special before taking a lengthy nap. We spent the rest of the afternoon mostly taking it easy and wound up at the campsite right before a strong storm rolled through. The night was spent telling stories and toasting shmores around the campfire, and heading to sleep for our next leg of the trip which would put us in Vegas in three biking days...
Having been convinced that hiking from the rim to the river and back in a day was a foolish idea, I slept in late today (and by late I mean 6:30am), and spent the morning hiking the steep but shorter 3 mile round trip to Cedar Point, which featured over 1,000 feet of elevation change. Having hiked to Cedar Point, I felt that had I woken up at twilight and carried the proper amount of water and food I would have been able to hike rim to river and back in a day, although not in the con
Hiking Grand Canyon was insanely entertaining, and in the future I would like to spend several days hiking in one of the world’s most beautiful natural areas.
After returning from our scenic view of the canyon, I enjoyed a large meal of Huevos Rancheros followed shortly by a cheeseburger special before taking a lengthy nap. We spent the rest of the afternoon mostly taking it easy and wound up at the campsite right before a strong storm rolled through. The night was spent telling stories and toasting shmores around the campfire, and heading to sleep for our next leg of the trip which would put us in Vegas in three biking days...
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