Cottonwood to Flagstaff 47 miles and 4341 feet of climbing

It was a beautiful cool morning in Cottonwood, AZ, as we prepared for the day's ride to Flagstaff, AZ, only 47 miles away. Breakfast in the hotel was at 6:30 AM instead of the usual 6:00 AM because it was a weekend day. After breakfast, each rider heads back to their room and packs their two ridiculously small duffle bags (provided by the tour company), and dutifully brings them to the front of the hotel so they can be loaded in the truck. Regarding those duffle bags, each day, they are weighed to ensure that they are not heavier than the required weight limit. I am not making this up. I got a tag on my bag on the third day that said my bag was 1 lb. over the limit. I saw this after dealing with all my bike issues the day before, mind you. I quickly took out some deodorant and 2 or 3 bottles of chain lube, put them in a plastic baggie, and walked to the truck. I then confronted Tom, the tour director's son, who drives the truck. He is the same guy who was too busy to do anything to help me get to a bike shop at the end of day two when my bike failed. In matters like these, I believe it is essential to be clear, and to the point so there are no misunderstandings. 

"What the f*** is this? One f***ing pound? Are you f****ing serious?" I asked, shaking the weight tag and plastic baggie in front of him. 

Perhaps the rage in my eyes caused him to re-think reciting the weight regulation because after some babbling about lugging stuff, he relented and tried to smooth things over. 

After we deposit our bags at the front of the hotel, we gather around the truck with our bikes, ready to ride. Riders are pumping up their tires, checking their route sheets, and talking amongst each other. At 7:15 AM sharp, Paula, our gracious tour director, does what is known in the business as "route rap." It is a general rundown of the day's ride, where the SAG stops are, any interesting sites to look out for, any road hazards to be careful of, etc. After that, at 7:30 AM, it is time to ride out. 

Today, riding out of Cottonwood toward Flagstaff, the vistas were beautiful, the mountains and red rock formations off in the distance. Our first break was in Sedona, AZ, the quaint, new age, touristy town right in the middle of all those red rock formations. I performed there years ago at the Sedona Rouge Hotel, so I was familiar with the stunning surroundings. 

After enjoying a $6.00 blueberry muffin, I proceeded to ride through town and then through and up the canyon toward Flagstaff. There was considerable traffic on most of the climb, which always makes it a bit more stressful. But on a ride like this, that comes with the territory. At the top of the canyon, I stopped briefly at the SAG to replenish my water bottles. After devouring a Hostess Twinkie, I proceeded down the road to finish the final 15 miles to Flagstaff. 

I arrived in Flagstaff at about 1:00 AM, so my hotel room was not ready. I found a Jersey Mike's Sub Shop and enjoyed a Philly Cheese Steak. I also got to converse with two fellow riders from Portland, Maine, Leon, and Lisa. Lisa is a doctor, and Leon is a nurse. They have gone on numerous bike holidays, but this is by far their longest. Despite the substantial miles each day, they are in wonderful spirits and more than up to the challenge.  

After finishing our lunch, we looked for a bike shop. We found one a few blocks away. Flagstaff is a college town. It is home to Northern Arizona University.

At the bike shop, my new friend Paul, a man with a calm, friendly demeanor and an impressively long ponytail, took good care of me. 

He fixed my Garmin bike computer mount that had been loose and flapping around, and he put another layer of handlebar tape over the existing bar tape so as to add at least some buffer for my hands. This bike has aluminum handlebars, not carbon fiber, like my broken bike. 

I also had him put on 2 new water bottle cages that will make it easier to grab a drink while riding. Sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference in comfort on long rides. 

I had dinner at the Sizzler Restaurant with six of the other riders. Everyone was wondering what to do on our day off tomorrow. I'll be watching the Celtics-Sixers game and writing more about this fun, challenging, and never-boring bike trip across America. 

One of my new English friends, Mark, just posted a nice "Relive" video of our ride today. 

It includes photos, something I am not good at. You see, unlike me, Mark is fast and has time to take photos. You might find it interesting. 

https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO78w3oGK6