Greetings from Sunny Prescott AZ,

I am writing yesterday’s update a day late because of internet issues last night.

What a difference a day makes. What I didn’t remember about the longest ride day of the tour (mileage wise) was that it also had a lot of climbing. We hit our first state line crossing at mile 5.7. WE have vials of sand from the Pacific Ocean and we are to sprinkle a bit at every state line. Legend has it that if anyone fails to sprinkle then we encounter severe headwinds, inclement weather, and other cycling atrocities. It must have been some blokes from a previous tour that we are being punished for…

Around mile 10 we began a 7.5 mile climb. We also do a lot of riding in California and Arizona on the Interstate. It is generally illegal to ride a bicycle on the Interstate unless there are no other access highways which happens  to be the case. Now Interstates are typically dangerous but have large shoulders suitable for riding. Except that the shoulders contain all sorts of rubbish and debris that cause punctures and other calamities. One needs to be diligent.

Crossroads is very serious about how we cycle in the desert. There are cutoff times at each SAG stop. If you don’t make the cutoff, in the wagon you go. The staff will check for signs of dyhydration or other dementia. When we arrive at the SAG in the desert, it is supposed to be in and out – no lingering or loitering. The staff will fill your bottles, wrap a wet towel around your neck, fill your camelback and get food for you. The goal is to spend as little time in the sun as possible.

Very early, I got out front (you are not supposed to ride solo in the desert), but it was relatively cool and I felt good so i pushed pretty hard.

At mile 25.4,we began another 10 mile climb and we had a lot oblong arduous climbs that day. However, my Garmin never registered a temperature as high as 97. I never felt very hot, although my back, feet and shoulders were killing me. We did have another day of vicious headwinds that made it tough.

There is not much out there in the desert, a few small towns like Brenda, Hope (good name) and Salome. The roads are ok but have a few very pat hy places. We did get off the Interstate at mile 36.

Overall the distance covered was 116 miles. Our final elevation was 2090. To put the winds in perspective, it is like riding uphill for 370 miles. Ask most any cyclist, they will take climbing over headwinds.

After the ride, I felt fairly knackered, but good about having a good day. Tracy saw me in the lobby and gave me a big hug. She even rode with me a bit. The Crossroads staff will often take turns riding. Rick, the mechanic on tour but a pharmisist by trade wil often ride “sweep” to help the slower riders. I can’y say enough good things about the Staff that Tracy has put together. Robin, Carol, Eileen, Jan, Ric and Tom are all top notch. Tracy’s husband Larry is also helping out this year . They all take a personal interest in our well-being.

The logistics of running a tour like this are enormous. Tracy measures everything and has stats from every tour. We don’t have many snafus because most possibilities have been encountered for. The tour staff’s day is not done until well after we have finished riding and it begins before we start every day. They have to replenish stocks, create meals, deliver baggage and work wit vendors along the way. These are good folks.

-Chuck