(If you view it full-size, you can see the number 2 inside the dot, for week two. It was a pain to do, so feel free to click on it and make the last 15 minutes of my life worthwhile.)
Gil's emailed cliff-notes from Flagstaff:
Yesterday was a real high point of this adventure. Magnificent country as we rode from Cottonwood to Flagstaff. The first part of the ride was composed of long rolling hills. The hills were shorter on the down side than the up side and we gained elevation as we rode toward the looming rock encapment ahead of us where we knew Sedona and the serious climb up Oak Creek Canyon waited patiently for us. It was cool and partly cloudy as we steadily plugged away at it in a lower gear, stopping to take pictures of the rock formation the sun was shining on. Just the right temperature for the physical effort. No wind!!! Reached Sedona about 15 miles into it. Stopped at an art and Native American craft show, at the Starbucks coffee shop and at a Dairy Queen. What FUN! Had plenty of time today to make Flagstaff so dawdled and enjoyed things. After leaving Sedona we headed up Oak Creek Canyon (with other Pile Drivers - a somewhat slower group that doesn't see who can tour the fastest). Took lots of pictures and video. The climb soon became very serious as the road switchbacked any number of times up the mountain. It didn't help that after several 9% grades we'd round a corner and see several levels of road on the rock face ahead. I heard several expletives that I won't repeat here. My roommate Richard commented that he now knows that short mileage days mean death. Everyone kept their sense of humor. This is a very positive bunch of people. Much rejoicing when reached the top. A very intense effort. Support staff gathered on a rock face overlooking the road and cheered us on. Rolled into Flagstaff at 2 PM. Sunday a rest day. Wonderful. Okay by me! Thanks all for the support. Gil
The more detailed version he gave over the phone to be posted:
After Sedona they went about five more miles, then biked a very steep section of, again, STEEP switchbacks for about 2.5 miles. Very nice video opportunity at the top. It was about 6.5 miles more into Flagstaff - more rolling hills that went up more than they went down. He got in at what I think is a record so far (for him) - at about 2 pm. Did a total of 7,000 feet of climbing today. Richard commented that he now knows "short mileage equals death" - a hard day of endless climbing.
He's quite pleased with the weather in Flagstaff - they're at almost 7,000 ft, so it's nice and cool in the evening. He'd already done laundry - in an actual machine! Not in the shower! With real detergent! - by the time he called home. They'd also hooked up his (brother RJ's) video camera to the tv in the hotel - people enjoyed watching various footage from the last week. He's had quite a few requests for copies of his final cut, so that should be incentive to actually edit the footage together. Had Indian food for dinner (not sure if that's Native American food or actual Indian food), then went next door for apple pie and ice cream - Dad's personal favorites.
He's feeling quite confident about the tour at this point and his ability to "pull this thing off." Not that we at home watching him ride for eight hours straight indoors (during the spell of lousy riding weather this winter when everything was iced over outside) and ridiculous "trains" outside had any doubts. The reference to the "Pile Drivers" in his email is the name he and the others in his riding group have come up with for themselves. There is an explanation, but even I find it too distasteful to post under my name. So you're not getting it from me here. Yay for editorial discretion! I wield such power. (Yes, I will post air-pump-to-butt stories, but not this. Which may tell you something.) If you're really THAT curious, ask Gil sometime after he gets home. While not in mixed company. (Meanwhile, don't get all curious by my refusal to post it; it isn't that interesting or amusing - unless you're a middle-aged or adolescent male, I suppose.) But they have a "group name" and team spirit, so good for them. Yay bonding!
Tomorrow is their first rest day, so they'll be in Flagstaff, AZ until Monday morning. He's looking forward to it; will visit some bike shops (because he's just not biked-out enough) and maybe see a movie. He said he definitely WON'T be getting on his bike. Looking forward to next week's ride - they should have flatter ground and cooler temperatures.
2 comments:
One week down. How many are in the "pile drivers" riding group? I don't want to know where that name comes from either!
Gil, I have a list of possible names for the 'pile drivers' which I will share with you upon your safe return :-)
Ahh...Sedona, Flagstaff....been there without a butt sore and believe me these are gem of places.
Indian food? If it was the real Indian food and not Native Indian one, then hope your stomach held up.
Jean, awsome write ups. Thank you.
Adeel
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