Someone removing road debris

mugging for the camera

Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona

Such a fine sight to see!

Hi All,

Back to riding after a day of rest. It was very cool in Flagstaff in the morning but it warms up quickly. Someone said that it was 28 degrees in the morning on Saturday. It probably was in the 50’s (Monday) when we left for Holbrook. Not a whole lot of  climbing today – flat and most ofd the ride was on Interstate 40 (shoulder),

The first 40 miles were really fast. I averaged over 20 mph and never used the little gears.We hit the first SAG stop at mile 40 and that is where the fun began. Right out of the first SAG, I picked up my first flat in my front tire (glass). About a mile later my rear tire flatted (wire). the tires held out for a spell and I went through Winslow AZ. Have a few pictures that I’ll add fr the street corner made famous by the Eagles song “Take it easy.” “Standing on a corner in Winslow AZ….”

Outside of Winslow, our next SAG stop was on JackRabbit Road – there I got some more tire troubles. I noticed that my rear wheel was low, so I changed it. Now tube number 1 that I put in would not inflate because the stem was too short for the Zipps. I pulled that one out and put in tube #2 – that tube inflated fine, but when I removed the pump nozzle, the valve stem came out as well. The tube stayed inflated so I attempted to put the rear wheel on again and the chain got all screwed up. John F from the United Kingdom and Mike K helped me get it on and straightened out. So I took off with the tube missing the valve stem. That tire again flatted about 5 miles out (staple). I changed it and took off but those little pumps don’t get the tire inflated to max.

I passed a few folks dealing with flat issues about 8 miles outside of Holbrook. Good new is that I had no more flats – bad news is that we had highway construction the last 4 miles with the shoulder all cut up and bumpy – like riding on a road made of stones. I limped into the hotel about 1/2 hour behind Harry. All told I had 4 flats and 5 different tubes. A LOT of the riders had flats today some multiple.

Worse things have happened and on the good side, I am REALLY improving my tire changing skills. Some folks said that I must be really fast changing them since most of the folks finished after me. The weather wasn’t as hot as the desert but it did get hot and windy. Our tandem couple, Jeff and Roberta had 3 flats and encountered a sand storm (glad that I missed that experience!).

We  all had dinner at Pizza Hut and Larry and I are doing our blow now. Larry is a trouper and just grinds it out every day. I told mik that I hope that I can do as well at 70 as he.

Tomorrow we cross another state line and will do the ritual sprinkling ceremony (except Mike F. who likes to be contrarian!). Maybe some good photos from that.

Ciao

Chuck