Mexico To Canada Update For Week Two
We are making good progress. There have been some special moments shared with new acquaintances. The terrain has been varied, awesome and captivating at various points. The Mogollon Rim area close to Payson was treacherous and some adjustments were made to allow for those miles.
Mormon Lake RV Park was our base for five nights and we are currently based at Page/ Lake Powell RV Park. We will depart here June 27th.
The three days of riding one day off seems to be a workable schedule. On the “day of rest” the RV is pulled and set up at the next base. When we left Lake Roosevelt it was a day of riding and moving the camper.
Day 7 started riding from the junction of highway 188 and 87. It took 2 hours to ride 17 miles from the junction to Payson, AZ. The highest elevation on this ride was 6442 feet. The ride was a bit of a challenge.
We stopped for lunch and I managed to “whack” my right shin on the running board of the Yukon. Sue had to administer first aid. It is healing well even though it is a little uncomfortable.
I finished the day with a 25.9-mile ride to Mormon Lake RV Park, riding 4 hours and 8 minutes totaling 42.9 miles for the day. My computer indicated the total elevation gain for the ride was 3550 feet.
Day 8 The ride was 35.1 miles in 2 hours and 46 minutes averaging 11.9 miles from Mormon Lake. Two flat tires along the way.
Day 9 The ride was 55.8 miles in 3 hours and 42 minutes averaging 15 mph with a maximum down hill run of 60.8 mph. The maximum altitude was 7456 feet with 1644 feet elevation gain. The starting temperature for the ride was 67 degrees and 84 degrees at the finish. Wonderful riding conditions.
Day 10 The ride was 46.9 miles in 2 hours and 46 minutes with the wind at my back and some nice down hill runs. There were 3 flat tires and at least 45 minutes of down time for the day. Most drivers are very considerate, but there were two freight trucks and a pick up that were too close for comfort.
Day 11 Sue dropped me off at milepost 483 on highway 89 heading to Page, AZ. The first 20 miles were up hill and it took me 2 hours to ride the distance. The next 21.3 miles were down hill for the most part and I finished the ride in 3 hours and 1 minute. There are only 26 miles to go to reach Page, AZ and 32 miles to reach the Utah border.
Day 12 Sue dropped me off about a half mile from Antelope Pass and blocked traffic for me as I rode over the pass. The next 12 miles were great with a fast down hill run. I finished the day riding 13 miles north of the Arizona, Utah border.
Day 13 I road 50.5 miles finishing in Kanab, Utah. We headed back to the camper and got ready to depart the next day.
I am averagiaging 45.1 miles per day to date.
Cellular telephone coverage and internet connnection opportunities have been limited north of Flagstaff, AZ. I suspect Utah will prove to be easier for us to provide timely progress update.
My mother in law Nora Pyle passed away June 12 (the day we started our trek). Her memorial service is being held in Merced, California June 30th 2005. We will celebrate her life with family and friends and then return to Utah in early July to continue our bicycle journey to Canada.
|
