Standing on a Corner in Winslow Arizona such a fine sight to see

Hello everyone,

Today was almost 92 miles but the good news is that most of it was downhill and we had a strong tailwind. Starting off in Flagstaff was very cool and most wore jackets and warmers. As the day wore on, the wind got stronger and gusty. All in all, a beautiful day. The scenery was not as majestic as the mountain stages but kept your attention nontheless.

What also got our attention was road hazards. Most of the riding was on highway 40 and there was considerable junk on the side of the road. Before the first SAG at about mile 34, I flatted and then blew out my replacement tube. I was ticked but Geoffrey and Tom stopped to help. Tom gave me a couple of replacement tubes off the truck nd I was off again but had sustained a 20 minute gap or so. After I got in, I found out that most of the riders had sustained many flats – misery loves company.

The high point of today’s ride definitely is Winslow Arizona and the corner of Eagles song “Take it Easy” fame'”. Most of riders stopped for pictures. Not far before ones gets to Winslow, there is another town called Winona, AZ. I couldn’t help thinking that ifGlen Frey had stopped there, we might be singing, “Standing on a corner in Winona, Arizona.

The second sag was on JackRabbit Road and what I assumed used to be a highway 66 hot spot. It made for a few nice photos ad then the final ride into Holbrook.

Holbrook was once known as “Too tough for women and no place for churches”. Also one of the Dalton gand killed two men there and the street and sight has hence been known as “Bucket of Blood” Avenue. There were a reported 23 gunfights there. They have a ways to go to catch Chicago….

There are several different Indian resections nearby and I think Tom said there are Navajo, Hopi and Suni tribes. Most of the route parallels or tracks the old route 66. I think the first Route 66 song was sung by Nat King Cole and has been repeated by many others. Gallup NM our destination tomorrow is mentioned in the song.

WE are close to the famous Petrified Forest and Painted Desert but won’t be close enough to see them.

Tomorrow to gallup will cover almost 94 miles and hopefully the prevailing winds will be from behind us. E are in the high desert and the sight are not spectacular but will be seeing many of the Mesas and Buttes the next few days.

Tailwinds

Chuck