Hi oh, hi oh in Tempe we lay low.
Layover day, we're here to stay,
My friend to meet, who is so sweet;
My bike to clean, I'm not so kean;
Then take a rest, that would be best;
Errands to run, that could be fun,
REI though, took all my dough,
Hi oh, hi oh.
On the road again, ya'll
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Day 10 and 11 - Tempe to Superior
We had our first layover day in Tempe. It is a great bike friendly city, with good food. We spent a considerable amount of time fixing our tires, including Errol taking the wheels to a bike store by cab as it was 15 miles from the hotel.
We went to the botanical gardens, ran some other errands and went to kol Nidre service at Temple Emanuel of Tempe.
Today we rode 60 miles into the Tonto National Forest. This is through the Gonzales Pass and has some stunning vistas.
On the way we passed the Chicago Cubs winter training grounds in Mesa (FYI for Evan).
Errol and Joe had cooking duty and made delicious beans, rice and sautéed veggies flavored with roasted hatch chilies - a local delicacy.
I interviewed Kelly about how how she got started exercising. She said that as a young child she and her siblings would be sent out to play and this usually involved physical activity such as riding bikes. It was always fun and not a chore. As an adult she continued to be active and feels much better when she exercises. She also enjoys that she can eat more when she exercises, and is "pedaling for pie" on this trip.
Kelly is 50 from Chicago.
We went to the botanical gardens, ran some other errands and went to kol Nidre service at Temple Emanuel of Tempe.
Today we rode 60 miles into the Tonto National Forest. This is through the Gonzales Pass and has some stunning vistas.
On the way we passed the Chicago Cubs winter training grounds in Mesa (FYI for Evan).
Errol and Joe had cooking duty and made delicious beans, rice and sautéed veggies flavored with roasted hatch chilies - a local delicacy.
I interviewed Kelly about how how she got started exercising. She said that as a young child she and her siblings would be sent out to play and this usually involved physical activity such as riding bikes. It was always fun and not a chore. As an adult she continued to be active and feels much better when she exercises. She also enjoys that she can eat more when she exercises, and is "pedaling for pie" on this trip.
Kelly is 50 from Chicago.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Day 9 Wickenberg to Tempe
Fast 70 mile down hill ride through Phoenix to Tempe. We took the 30 mile bike path from the northwest of Phoenix, through the city along the Arizona water canal project. We passed a hydroelectric project.
We had a chance meeting at Denny,s with the number one impersonator of Willie Nelson. We got an autographed picture. We are finding people on route very receptive to impromptu conversation any many are excited to discuss the trip and share local yore.
As we are interested in the ways
people think about exercise I thought of asking some fellow riders their approaches.
Joe - our tour leader - said he feels better in many ways when he exercises. He said he loves adventure, touring, exploring, and his exercise incorporates these, plus he has found a way to earn a living from it. He gets rid of nervous energy with exercise and feels twitchy when he doesn't exercise. Overall he feels better about himself when he exercises.
Joe is in his 20's and lives in Montana.
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa7sPxrWYas&feature=youtube_gdata_player
We had a chance meeting at Denny,s with the number one impersonator of Willie Nelson. We got an autographed picture. We are finding people on route very receptive to impromptu conversation any many are excited to discuss the trip and share local yore.
As we are interested in the ways
people think about exercise I thought of asking some fellow riders their approaches.
Joe - our tour leader - said he feels better in many ways when he exercises. He said he loves adventure, touring, exploring, and his exercise incorporates these, plus he has found a way to earn a living from it. He gets rid of nervous energy with exercise and feels twitchy when he doesn't exercise. Overall he feels better about himself when he exercises.
Joe is in his 20's and lives in Montana.
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa7sPxrWYas&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Southern Tier Happy Song - next verse by Cathy
Hi oh, hi oh, on to Tempe we go.
First we must ride through countryside
So smooth the road, so light the load,
We meet Willie, how lucky,
Guided by friend to town's end,
At Motel Six, we'll get our fix,
Of plump pillow and laying low.
Hi oh, hi oh
On the road again, ya'll
First we must ride through countryside
So smooth the road, so light the load,
We meet Willie, how lucky,
Guided by friend to town's end,
At Motel Six, we'll get our fix,
Of plump pillow and laying low.
Hi oh, hi oh
On the road again, ya'll
Day 8 Salome to Wickenberg
Moving right along in Arizona on long straight roads heading towards Phoenix. There was only one town for 50 miles.
The ride was uneventful-no flat tires- but with beautiful Sonoran desert landscapes.
Had pizza for dinner ( gluten free bagel for B).
After dinner we all shared funny stories of the day. The funniest was Jase-the 18 year old's- comment that he has started groaning like the rest of us when he gets up (most of the group are 50+ year olds).
Well done, Ravens!
The ride was uneventful-no flat tires- but with beautiful Sonoran desert landscapes.
Had pizza for dinner ( gluten free bagel for B).
After dinner we all shared funny stories of the day. The funniest was Jase-the 18 year old's- comment that he has started groaning like the rest of us when he gets up (most of the group are 50+ year olds).
Well done, Ravens!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Song of the journey written and performed by Cathy
I love it. Thanks
Berenice
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 23, 2012, at 4:41 PM, Cathy wrote:
> ...a work in progress
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to San Diego we go,
> A team complete for us to meet,
> No one we knew, what a nice crew,
> With leader Joe, he's great we know.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Cabrillo we go.
> First up Hill street, our hearts still beat,
> We filled our plate, burritos ate.
> The rules we know; eager to go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Ah-Alpine we go.
> Map reading test, tough for the best,
> We must be near? Isn't it clear?
> Then UP must go, sweat on our brow.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, onto Ocotillo.
> We did remark, up in the dark
> Be on your feet, the heat to beat.
> Up mountains slow, to desert below.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Braw-awley we go.
> A scorpion stings, we all sprout wings,
> Jack found a way, for us to stay,
> Tamales fed, we drop in bed,
> For some bandoleros, huevos rancheros,
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, Palo Verde to go.
> Frankly Glamis, I'd rather miss,
> Mein Gott, it's hot!
> Up down dips, sun burns my lips,
> Shade I must find, I'll lose my mind,
> Culvert is best, to take a rest,
> Water is low, on we must go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Qua-artzsite we go.
> On our way, first we did weigh
> Our loaded bikes, which we still like.
> On 10 we found, debris abound,
> The climb easy, the trucks noisy.
> Great spaghetti, first of many.
> By lantern glow, we all say ohhhh!
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Salome we go.
> Up before dawn, it must be known
> It's a short day, up hill part way.
> Your beyond hope, speller a dope.
> My butt does ache, a nap must take,
> To bed I go, dreaming of snow.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Wickenburg we go.
> The road is straight since I last ate,
> Cacti many, for company,
> The road is straight since last I ate,
> The trash I spy could make me cry,
> The road is straight since I last ate,
> Frankly, my dear, would you live here?
> Coyotes lope, so there is hope,
> While can't dismiss, loved ones I miss,
> Happy thoughts flow to friends I know
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, ever onward we go.
> Like loaded beasts, we're headed east,
> It's not a race, each at one's pace;
> How far we've gone! it can be done!
> Onward we go, onward we go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Cathy
>
>
> On the road again, ya'll
Berenice
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 23, 2012, at 4:41 PM, Cathy
> ...a work in progress
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to San Diego we go,
> A team complete for us to meet,
> No one we knew, what a nice crew,
> With leader Joe, he's great we know.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Cabrillo we go.
> First up Hill street, our hearts still beat,
> We filled our plate, burritos ate.
> The rules we know; eager to go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Ah-Alpine we go.
> Map reading test, tough for the best,
> We must be near? Isn't it clear?
> Then UP must go, sweat on our brow.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, onto Ocotillo.
> We did remark, up in the dark
> Be on your feet, the heat to beat.
> Up mountains slow, to desert below.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Braw-awley we go.
> A scorpion stings, we all sprout wings,
> Jack found a way, for us to stay,
> Tamales fed, we drop in bed,
> For some bandoleros, huevos rancheros,
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, Palo Verde to go.
> Frankly Glamis, I'd rather miss,
> Mein Gott, it's hot!
> Up down dips, sun burns my lips,
> Shade I must find, I'll lose my mind,
> Culvert is best, to take a rest,
> Water is low, on we must go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Qua-artzsite we go.
> On our way, first we did weigh
> Our loaded bikes, which we still like.
> On 10 we found, debris abound,
> The climb easy, the trucks noisy.
> Great spaghetti, first of many.
> By lantern glow, we all say ohhhh!
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Salome we go.
> Up before dawn, it must be known
> It's a short day, up hill part way.
> Your beyond hope, speller a dope.
> My butt does ache, a nap must take,
> To bed I go, dreaming of snow.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, to Wickenburg we go.
> The road is straight since I last ate,
> Cacti many, for company,
> The road is straight since last I ate,
> The trash I spy could make me cry,
> The road is straight since I last ate,
> Frankly, my dear, would you live here?
> Coyotes lope, so there is hope,
> While can't dismiss, loved ones I miss,
> Happy thoughts flow to friends I know
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Hi oh, hi oh, ever onward we go.
> Like loaded beasts, we're headed east,
> It's not a race, each at one's pace;
> How far we've gone! it can be done!
> Onward we go, onward we go.
> Hi oh, hi oh!
>
> Cathy
>
>
> On the road again, ya'll
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Day 7 - Quartzite to Salome
Another scorching day in the desert but the ride was relatively short - 40 miles. We found a nice rest stop but the store was closed and for sale. We enjoyed the view and the remaining water.
View from Quartzite showing the Indian chief's facial profile.
Off now to watch the Michigan/Notre Dame game.
GO BLUE!!
View from Quartzite showing the Indian chief's facial profile.
Off now to watch the Michigan/Notre Dame game.
GO BLUE!!
Days 5 and 6 - crossing the Colorado River into Arizona
A bit about about our stay in Brawley. Our accommodations were arranged for us by Jack, who turned out to be real "road angel". To start with he arranged for dinner which were delicious tamales. He transported one of our riders and our cooking gear to our next stop, as well as dropping off water for us at a border patrol station, which was really helpful. When we got a flat tire, he arrived with ice cold water, which was wonderful. He has been one of the many friendly and hospitable people we are meeting along the way so far.
The ride from Brawley was quite a challenge due to several factors. For one the heat, which is relentless. The first 30 miles of the ride, into Glamis was not too bad, especially seeing we left early. However after that the temperature rose steadily.
Glamis at this time was basically a store and RV storage area. Over thanksgiving it grows to 40,000 people who come to enjoy the sand dunes and play in the desert.
The ride from Glamis to Palo Verde had a series of dips that were quite tiring and nerve wracking because when you are at the bottom of the dip your are basically invisible to cars at the top of the dip.
About 4 mile before Palo Verde, and after 2 flat tires, we heard Joe call to us from the first area of shade trees we had seen all day. He was in what looked like a camp ground and boat launch into the Colorado River. We stopped and it was so hot that we decided to dip in the water in our riding gear. It felt wonderful and made the last 4 miles much more pleasant. When we told the woman in the store where we went to buy cold fruit nectar (which tasted fantastic) she said that was actually run off from the irrigation ditches! Needless to say we took a good shower and washed our clothes well after that.
The cabin we spent the night in overlooked a river and was a beautiful site the next morning at dawn, as we prepared to leave for our ride to Quartzite AZ.
The ride today was shorter-44 miles but still not a cinch. We left at dawn and the first 2 hours were beautiful in the relative cool of early morning. We were stopped at an intersection by 2 high school football coaches who were so impressed with our group that they got out of their car to shake our hands.
We stopped in for a drink at a store that had the most amazing collection of ceremonial knives I have ever seen.
At the half way point in Blythe we stopped at the first Starbucks we have seen since San Diego.
After another 2 flat tires, one of which we had to change on the freeway with trucks whizzing by at 80 miles an hour, we arrived in Quartzite.
We went for lunch to the local McDonald's. There Errol got talking to one of the locals who has lived here for over 50 years. He said that during the off season there are 3000 people living in Quartzite. In the winter one and a half million people camp out here with their RVs. We saw an aerial shot of this and it is quite a site.
It was again so hot that I had to try to fry an egg on the side walk. It did not work!
So far we have had so many flat tires I have lost count (about 6). The last one was tonight and Errol pulled out the offending piece of wire - which we had to photograph (with the cap from the tire valve next to it for perspective).
The ride from Brawley was quite a challenge due to several factors. For one the heat, which is relentless. The first 30 miles of the ride, into Glamis was not too bad, especially seeing we left early. However after that the temperature rose steadily.
Glamis at this time was basically a store and RV storage area. Over thanksgiving it grows to 40,000 people who come to enjoy the sand dunes and play in the desert.
The ride from Glamis to Palo Verde had a series of dips that were quite tiring and nerve wracking because when you are at the bottom of the dip your are basically invisible to cars at the top of the dip.
About 4 mile before Palo Verde, and after 2 flat tires, we heard Joe call to us from the first area of shade trees we had seen all day. He was in what looked like a camp ground and boat launch into the Colorado River. We stopped and it was so hot that we decided to dip in the water in our riding gear. It felt wonderful and made the last 4 miles much more pleasant. When we told the woman in the store where we went to buy cold fruit nectar (which tasted fantastic) she said that was actually run off from the irrigation ditches! Needless to say we took a good shower and washed our clothes well after that.
The cabin we spent the night in overlooked a river and was a beautiful site the next morning at dawn, as we prepared to leave for our ride to Quartzite AZ.
The ride today was shorter-44 miles but still not a cinch. We left at dawn and the first 2 hours were beautiful in the relative cool of early morning. We were stopped at an intersection by 2 high school football coaches who were so impressed with our group that they got out of their car to shake our hands.
We stopped in for a drink at a store that had the most amazing collection of ceremonial knives I have ever seen.
At the half way point in Blythe we stopped at the first Starbucks we have seen since San Diego.
After another 2 flat tires, one of which we had to change on the freeway with trucks whizzing by at 80 miles an hour, we arrived in Quartzite.
We went for lunch to the local McDonald's. There Errol got talking to one of the locals who has lived here for over 50 years. He said that during the off season there are 3000 people living in Quartzite. In the winter one and a half million people camp out here with their RVs. We saw an aerial shot of this and it is quite a site.
It was again so hot that I had to try to fry an egg on the side walk. It did not work!
So far we have had so many flat tires I have lost count (about 6). The last one was tonight and Errol pulled out the offending piece of wire - which we had to photograph (with the cap from the tire valve next to it for perspective).
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