https://give.michaeljfox.org/barbarasbigride
Today's Ride
The Stats
47 miles
4767 ft. climbing
Top elevation: 6906
Note: My Garmin told me I was now acclimatized to 3500 ft. That doesn't help me climbing switchbacks over 6000 ft!
Miles Completed: 526
Miles to Go: 2,870
States Visited: 2 of 15
Feet Climbed: 26,954
NOTE: I'm completely prepared that the math here will never quite compute to 3396. Routes change. Math brain wanes. Just go with it!
The Ride
Today's ride directions comprised of: Turn left out of the Best Western Hotel in Cottonwood onto AZ 89A. Stay on 89A. Climb on 89A. Turn left into the Comfort Inn in Flagstaff. Fortunately, there was lots to look at in between, as after a short downhill the Garmin told me the upcoming climb was over 18 miles long. We entered Red Rock Country, so once again, I was blessed with very distracting scenery.
As it was a short day, there was no rush to get to the next hotel (where our rooms likely wouldn't be ready before 3). So this felt more like a sightseeing ride, with lots of photo stops, than a crushing ride (at least until the hairpin turns). So we hung out with the Javelinas (the pink sculptures that are NOT pigs), snapped lots of photos, and chatted with some other travelers (see below for more).
We did see our first clouds and even felt a few rain drops, but fortunately any real weather held off, though it looked pretty threatening at times.
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| Chris from Lawrenceville, NJ |
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| Friends from across the pond |
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| Cute couple from Maine As we soon learned, Lee will kiss anything! |
The ride followed Oak Creek for a ways, until it started climbing on some pretty hairy switchbacks. There really was no shoulder, so it required the patience of drivers forced to navigate around us. For the most part, they were remarkably courteous, some even giving us a thumbs up for our efforts. Then there was the guy coming in the opposite direction who shouted at each of us, "Idiot" (though by the time I got to the top I think he may have had a point)!
The Rest Stop
A welcome respite SAG after the switchbacks. |
| Repping the #PMC! |
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| Our fearless leader, Paula |
The "Holy Shit" view looking down from whence we came!
And finally arrived in Flagstaff -- according to my Garmin, I now am officially "acclimated" to 3500 feet!
A Digression: Sedona Nostalgia
One of my earliest trips with Ben, more than 30 years ago (and I believe before we were married), was to Arizona. We were living in LA at the time so it wasn't a long drive, but as I recall, we flew to Phoenix and rented a car. We also rented mountain bikes early in the journey (either in Scottsdale or maybe Sedona) and had one of the most memorable (if not THE most memorable) mountain bike rides with some locals from the bike shop on a Wednesday afternoon. What made it memorable is that it actually transpired, since it was not only pouring rain, but was full-on thunder and lightning. We assumed they weren't going but showed up to the bike shop just to prove we didn't flake on them. Lo and behold, they were ready to go. I have a vague memory of picking up another rider at the Circle K outside of town. I think it was here.
The difference was I recall it being in the middle of nowhere. Now on the same road were hotels, mini-malls, and condos. Not surprising given how beautiful the surroundings are.
On that trip, we stayed for a night or two at the L'Auberge de Sedona, nestled in Oak Creek Canyon below the red rock cliffs. You can see it from our Javelina rest stop below.
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| Good memories... |
Bike Leans
I'm part of this FB group called "Look at My Bike Leaning Against Stuff." So I've tried to make a mission of a daily "lean" post (it's literally a picture of a bike leaning against stuff). Yesterday, I received many likes and comments that my bike matched the mountain backdrop. I think today was even better. What do you think, and which is your fav?
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| Number 1 |
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| Number 2 |
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| Number 3 |
Flagstaff -- and there we rest!
Finally rolled into the hotel around 2 p.m. Washed the bike, cleaned the bike grease off my calves, and Ubered into town (yes, they have Ubers here!). I found myself a delightful wine bar, Oeno Wine Lounge (sort of like my mother ship!), for some snacks and sips before dinner. I even got to try some Arizona wine -- not from the local region but at least from the state.
The wine bar did share a bathroom with the bar next door. It has been a while since I've been in a grafittied stall. I guess it gives you a slice of the local perspective.
I also found some fellow winos on the tour and we enjoyed a PD (proper dinner) at Atria in downtown Flagstaff, a sophisticated restaurant with excellent service (thanks, Kiele!) to match deliciously prepared food. The gem salad was a refreshing highlight!
The Kindness, Curiosity, and Generosity of Random Strangers
Today, in lieu of calling out the "employee of the day" (though Kiele at Atria was outstanding), I feel compelled to relate the story of two groups of people I had the privilege of talking with today.
The Curious Retired Minnesotans
The first was a couple from Minnesota relishing a recent retirement trip around Sedona/Grand Canyon/Bryce/Zion. They were having a coffee at our Sedona unofficial rest stop for photos and early fuel (and an excuse not to get to the hotel before our rooms were ready). So they were barraged with a Lycra-clad gaggle of cyclists, and we just started chatting. They had friends who had done RAGBRAI (for the uninitiated, it's the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, another bucket list item of mine), and seemed interested in who was supporting our ride and what was required to do so. Maybe Crossroads will see them as staff next year! It turns out she works with a hospice program, and I shared how invaluable that end-care option was for both of my parents. They wished us well and seemed genuinely interested and curious about our journey.
The Generous (and Curious) Family from Kansas City
At the rest stop after the crazy-ass switchback climb, there was an overlook to the switchbacks below, to which I exclaimed, "Holy sh-t!" It was truly daunting where I had come from -- then I saw the three adorable children (yes, really, and I don't like many of them!) and thought I could've chosen my words better. Nonetheless, I wasn't judged harshly, and I began chatting with the mother of those children, and her mother, and the children, who had just driven up those same switchbacks and seen many cyclists with orange triangles on their backs (our Crossroads-mandated safety feature). When I told them of the group's journey, the children peppered me with questions and comments: "What happens if you run out of water? You can die if you don't have enough water." (Yes, I know, our kids tell us "hydrate or die-drate!"). "Why do you wear those triangles on your backs?" (They are our mandatory reflectors.) "Those shoes look like the ones we wear for t-ball." (I explained how they clipped into the pedals to allow you to pull up as well as push down.) Their curiosity about my journey spurred me to share my fundraising QC code with them. Of course, the 8-year-old was well versed with QC codes, and they promised to follow me (Alana, again, some people DO read blogs!)
Were we not living in a very bizarre and scary world (but I won't go there), I naturally would've taken a selfie with them -- but alas, the mother's fear (rightfully so!) of online facial recognition and a public posting of her children by some random stranger cautioned otherwise. SO, if you guys are reading this, I want to give you a shoutout , but to respect your privacy, I'll just call you P, P, and C (and I know that you'll know it's you!)! I'd probably still be chatting with them had not the elder P wisely noted, "You probably should get going -- it looks like it's going to rain" (she was right, but thanks to her, I beat the rain!). So thanks, P. And a special thanks to Mom, for one of the most meaningful donations I've received to date. You're a testament to the goodness of people and kindness of strangers. If you see that our route comes anywhere near where you live, I'd love to see you again! Thanks to your beautiful family for being one of the highlights of my day--and remember, that's competing with the red rocks of Sedona!!!
Wonderful pictures and memories. Jim CR09, ES11, XC17
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