Jordan bikes to Arizona - Day 9

It was Friday the 13th, and I woke up bright and early at 7:00 a.m. to let Jordan catch some Z’s. Then, at 8:45 AM, I gently nudged him awake since breakfast was closing at 9:30 a.m. We had a yummy breakfast and were out the door of the hotel by 10:00 AM.

Even though we had to adjust our plans after six days of unfavorable weather, it turned out to be a much better plan! The 200-mile drive from Dennehotso, AZ, to Flagstaff, AZ, would have been a snooze-fest, and Flagstaff’s weather wasn’t exactly ideal. So, we decided to explore more National Parks and enjoy some fantastic rides. On day 7, we visited Zion National Park and Dixie National Forest (including Bryce Canyon). On the 8th day (yesterday), he rode the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Canyonlands National Park.  The last three days, including today, were stunning rides, despite the extremely hot weather.

Today, we drove to Arches National Park, which is about an hour away. Jordan had planned to ride the whole park and then head home. But at 11:30 a.m., it was already over 80 degrees when he started the ride. Arches was packed with visitors, and the access road was super narrow. There were other bicyclists, and most people were super respectful of him.  

Since we didn’t fill up with gas earlier, I figured I needed to before heading deep into the park. So, I had to cut my picture-taking short and head to Moab for fuel. When I got back, I headed to the end of the park, where I thought I’d see Jordan. About a mile from the end, he was riding strong. I had planned to go to the arches for photos, but when I arrived, it was so crowded that I decided to head back. I found Jordan, and the heat was 90 degrees, so he went shirtless for a while. He said people seemed to be kinder when he was shirtless. Could it be that he was more noticeable with his very white skin against all the red rock?

He was riding out of the park faster than I could drive, even with traffic (and I took about 20 photos). It was more downhill and, at the end, very steep. He reached the park entrance before I did and headed south toward Moab. He was prepared to call it a day at the major rest stop just north of Moab, AZ. It was where State Route 128 (SR-128), the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, connected to the trail leading into Arches National Forest.

He was chilling at the rest area, waiting for me, and I totally spaced on the turn. He was a little bummed about my forgetfulness and decided to cruise along the Colorado River on SR-128, hoping I’d find him. So, the long and short of it is, I spotted him, and he was eager to keep riding. If we kept going, he’d be over 50 miles west of Flagstaff, having already covered 100 miles!

I was so happy we took that route by accident. It was super scenic, except for the last 10 miles. Around 80 miles in, Jordan needed water for the second time. Even though he said he was cramping and didn’t want to stop, he just tossed his water bottle on the road, and I jogged over and gave him a new one.

We finally reached the end of CR-128, which connected to I-70, and had no choice but to load up the bike. He’d been riding nonstop for under 6 hours, and I knew he needed a break. We zoomed over to Fruita, CO, where he finished the last 15 miles in the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area. It was just 5 miles into that ride when he got his second flat tire! The last thing he wanted to do was stop on his quest for 100 miles in less than 7 hours. But he powered through and completed the ride in 6 hours and 28 minutes, with some of the route taking him through the mountains.

As you can see in the image, he was totally wiped out! I was so proud of him. We had our share of challenges, but he conquered so many mountain passes I can’t even remember, with hail, sleet, rain, snow, and heat all happening in just a few days. Looking at the rough data, he climbed over 42,000 feet in total over 701 miles—that’s just under 8 miles up! Now, I know there were definitely some challenging moments, but they were just as hard as you need to ride the brakes, and that can cause some severe hand cramps. He totally crushed his minimum goal by over 50 miles!

We decided that with the new route, we could drive back and get to Golden before midnight. We had initially planned to drive all day Saturday from the west side of Flagstaff. So, the change in plans meant we had much better rides, and now we have a whole day to unpack before we both fly out Sunday morning.

I’m planning to tidy up the posts and sprinkle in some extra details over the next few weeks. I’m also considering adding two more posts: one featuring the top 20 photos of Jordan and another showcasing my own top 20 photos. We’ll see how much time I can squeeze in, as I’ve got a whopping 700 images to process now!

But my favorite to date, without looking at them all, is below.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Jordan bikes to Arizona - Day 8

I woke at 4:30 AM, relieved we weren’t evicted from the hotel parking lot. However, the cold temperature woke me. Weather.com reported 33 degrees (feels like 27), and I was exhausted. I adjusted the blanket and tried to sleep, but woke again at 6:00 AM, feeling even colder. I went to Ruby’s Convention Center lobby to warm up. It was nice to have a warm bathroom available when sleeping in a car. I had no internet access, so I read work material.

I returned to the car at 7:00 AM, warmed it up, and moved it so Jordan could sleep in direct sunlight. Then, I returned to Ruby’s and stayed warm in the lobby. When I checked on Jordan at 8:15 AM, he was still sleeping, so I went for a walk. Bryce Canyon is a lovely, small town!

At 9:00 AM, he texted me, indicating that he was awake and eager to depart. I proceeded to the car and commenced preparations for the day, while he retrieved his morning coffee. The day’s itinerary was uncertain or pre-planned, with the sole certainty being our destination: Bryce Canyon to Boulder, Utah, a distance of approximately 75 miles. However, the specifics of the elevation changes were yet to be verified.

The sign looking back

Finished the brutal climb

The initial 15 miles were straightforward. However, the terrain became increasingly challenging as the rolling hills commenced. The first eight percent climbs spanned approximately 1.5 to 2 miles, and these climbs progressively intensified, with some reaching up to 14 percent and extending for as long as five miles. The combination of these steep inclines and the relentless sun, which reached nearly 90 degrees, made the ride exceptionally arduous. Despite the difficulties, the road conditions were favorable for cycling, despite the presence of formidable hills. I estimate that he has ascended approximately 10,000 feet today. It would be prudent to verify this information using the Garmin device upon our return home.

By 4:30 PM, Jordan had arrived in Boulder, Utah. We are currently dining at Burr Trail Grill, a restaurant that specializes in grass-fed meats. Jordan ordered a lamb burger, while I opted for a beef burger. I was surprised by the restaurant’s high level of activity despite its remote location.

Jordan was in a good mood and eager to continue our journey. However, I was experiencing fatigue and desired to rest at a hotel after two days of driving. At approximately 6:30 PM, Jordan descended a hill at a speed of 30 MPH and narrowly avoided colliding with a deer. The pickup truck that was in proximity to Jordan was not as fortunate. I was deeply concerned about his reckless driving behavior at dusk, particularly when he encountered numerous deer. I was exhausted and longed for a refreshing swim in a cold pool and a shower. Despite my concerns, Jordan persisted in his journey. We engaged in a heated argument that rivaled any conflict between two individuals. It was as if I held a position of authority, while he held a position of opposition. In the end, Jordan continued his journey, covering an additional 30 miles (or more). I estimate that his average daily distance exceeded 110 miles. He traversed the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Canyonlands National Park.

Following the argument, he proceeded on his bicycle until 8:00 PM. Subsequently, we drove to Green River, where I made a reservation for the evening. The dining options were limited, including Burger King, Arby’s, and other chain restaurants, as well as the local truck stop. We opted for the local truck stop. We enjoyed breakfast, which consisted of two eggs, hash browns, toast, and Jordan's Western Omelet. Both of us were thoroughly exhausted. We barely returned to the hotel, showered, and retired to bed by 11:30 PM.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Jordan bikes to Arizona - Day 7

When I woke up at 4:30 AM, I wondered if driving out of the terrible weather and scenery was the right decision. Jordan had decided (and I applauded) to maintain the goal of minimum daily miles (he should exceed that amount) for the trip, but he was looking for better weather and scenery. So, we drove to last night’s destination. This is where Lake Powell stands out as the leading local attraction. What caused that wonder at 4:30 AM? It was raining heavily!

I focused on being quiet so that Jordan could get the sleep he needed to recover from his body. On the other hand, I believe I had taken too much Magnesium Citrate, and I was experiencing severe diarrhea that was about to erupt! I left the car and walked four blocks to McDonald’s, as it was the only building open with a restroom. I managed to make it, but it was a bit of a mess as I sat down. I went to the other stall to finish, as it was already in disarray. It was unfortunate for the worker who had to clean up after me!

The first thing I noticed at 5:00 AM was that McDonald’s was occupied by what I assume were primarily migrant workers who were hanging around, waiting for work. Some of them were having breakfast, while others were having coffee. There were fewer than six cars in the lot (I assume most of them were employees), but over 20 people were inside. I think it was a migrant worker station. 

At 6:45 AM, I returned to the car, only to find it covered in a tar-like substance. Even the bike rims were coated in this sticky substance. This was a concern because it could affect braking. Since Jordan was still asleep, I went to Walmart and used my phone to look for car washes. There was one just a few blocks away from where he slept. I read the news on my phone and waited until 8:30 AM to return to the car. Fortunately, the weather was clearing up!

While Jordan was still half asleep, I drove to the car wash. Removing the black substance from the bike and car was a lot of work. I used a brush while pushing hard, but some tar remained. I spent 15 minutes washing and managed to remove 95% of the gunk. I also brought a Brillo pad and scrubbed the rim brakes to ensure they were clean. When we get back to Denver, I’ll get tar and bug remover to remove the rest of this unknown substance.

After the car wash, we went to The Ranch House Grill, a local restaurant, to refuel for the day. It was a good start to the morning. As we were leaving, we met the mother and daughter from Florida, whom we had seen at the Four Corners Monument. Jordan and I had a pleasant conversation while I replaced the chain on his bike.

Our first plan was to drive on the road, which could have been better, toward Zion National Park. Jordan started his ride about 15 miles outside the park, and the weather was near perfect! He rode about 50 miles into, throughout, and out of the park. I spent a few hours organizing the car from the night before, hiking, and taking photos. The scenery was much better!

On the way into Zion, Jordan met another biker from Alaska. He was riding from Phoenix to Las Vegas. What was comical yet sad was that Jordan was riding strong, and this guy was trying to keep up. His cargo looked like it would fall off at any moment as he pedaled as hard as possible to stay up. I later found out that he only has one brake (the rear seizes), and he just used a bungee cord to hold the rear “cage.”

Once we returned to the bustling road, we loaded up the bike and headed to Bryce Canyon, where he added another 25 miles to his day’s mileage.

Bryce Canyon is a captivating location, and I had some time to capture its beauty through photographs. It was 9:15 PM when we returned to the car, and the temperature had already dropped to a chilly 47 degrees. Since all the hotels were full, we found ourselves back on the road. We decided to dine at Ruby’s, a local full-service hotel. We both relished a pasta dish for the first time since embarking on our trip, and it was simply delicious.

Given the limited accommodation options, we were back on the road once again. We opted to sleep in Ruby’s parking lot, prepared to leave if we were disturbed. Jordan fell asleep by 10:30 PM, and I ventured inside the hotel to find power outlets to charge his headphones, the three Garmin devices, and the charging blocks we had brought. However, there was only one outlet in a discreet location, preventing me from charging my laptop or downloading photos.

At 11:45 PM, I returned to the car, hoping that the devices had sufficient charge to last us through the next day.

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Jordan bikes to Arizona - Day 6

As we drove from Montrose to Telluride last night, it was well past 11:00 PM when I finally went to bed. I was determined to complete the blog post before it was too late and catch up on work. Jordan, feeling tired, fell asleep quickly.

I woke up at 5:30 AM and felt refreshed and well-rested. We had stayed at a luxurious hotel, Hotel Telluride, which Jordan had found for an incredibly low price of under $90. In peak season, this hotel can easily cost over $400 per night, while during the off-season, it offers a significant discount of $200. This is the second time Jordan has taken me to a very nice hotel that I couldn’t afford. It’s truly a wonderful gesture!

To ensure Jordan gets the rest he needs, I went to the underground parking garage and unpacked everything to clean and organize for the day. I consolidated items to make the trip easier. I also washed his bike, made minor adjustments, and lubricated all the essential parts.

At 7:00 AM, I went to the lobby and started reviewing the 110 pages of a deposition I needed to review. Jordan woke up at 8:15 AM, and we prepared for the day. We both showered and left the room by 9:30 AM. We had a slight delay when Jordan discovered a guitar in the lobby and started playing for a while. He’s really talented!

Jordan heard about a great breakfast place called “Baked in Telluride.” It sounded like a Colorado pot joint, but it was actually a fancy donut, bagel, and pizza shop. He ordered a breakfast burrito and a donut to go. I opted for a peanut butter sandwich from the food bag in the car.

Leaving Telluride, CO (Cold start!)

At 11:00 AM, he was on the four-mile bike path out of Telluride, followed by a long mountain road climb. Despite significant climbs, heavy headwinds, or both, he was eager for another ascent. 

With Cell service, I made a work conference call at 11:00 AM central time, but lost service before it ended. I was in a good location, but after 20 minutes, I needed to find Jordan as it started snowing/sleet. The cold morning worsened as he continued to climb. About 10 miles into the ride, he reached Lizard Head Pass at 10,222 feet. The sleeting made it feel like snow accumulation. It’s a good time to start the descent!

The sleet continued on the descent, making the road slippery. The thunderstorm worsened the situation, turning the painted lines slick and reducing visibility. I urged him to stop, as it was unsafe, and my stress level soared. The lack of cell service meant I stayed close in case of an issue, which irritated him since I couldn’t distract him from the ride.

At 2:00 PM Mountain time, he stopped outside Delores, Colorado, to dry off and take a work conference call. He had covered about 60 miles in less than 4 hours, including the earlier climb, during which he reached speeds of 30 MPH or more on the sleet and thunderstorm descent.

After his postponed conference call, he resumed his bike ride by 3:00 PM. His goal was to reach the Four Corners National Monument before it closed at 6:45 PM, so he aimed to arrive by 6:30 PM (3.5 hours). This meant averaging 16.5 MPH over 58 miles, which should be manageable despite the headwind and unstable weather. The next 60 miles were mostly flat or slight inclines on a narrow road.

Jordan made decent time to Cortez, Colorado, for the next 12 miles. We stopped at a local store for restroom use and beverages needed for the Monument. That took 15 minutes, but we drove him the 4 miles through Cortez, totaling 42 miles in 2 hours and 30 minutes due to safety concerns. Despite not eating or drinking properly, he still had a chance.

However, a significant storm hit outside Cortez, Colorado. Thunder, lightning, and winds of 20-30 MPH forced us to find a safe location, delaying him by 30 minutes. He needed to ride the remaining 38 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes, which was a concern. Once Jordan was back on the road to the sunshine, we still held on to hope for a miracle. After about three miles, he had a flat tire. Fortunately, we had phone service. I arrived, changed the tire quickly, and inspected it. I found a small piece of glass, which I hoped was the culprit.

After losing another 10 minutes for the flat tire, Jordan had 1 hour and 35 minutes to cover 35 miles with a headwind. He needed to average over 20 MPH. He was riding hard, so hard as a father, I was concerned. He had an intense focus!

Then, another unexpected lightning and thunderstorm hit. I suggested he stop and drive to the Four Corners, but he refused and we argued. This escalated the tension between an over-concerned father and a confident young man. It looked possible when the weather gods punished him again. It reminded me of the ending scene of The Truman Show. He was not going to quit! The lightning and thunder were intense, and the winds drove rain at a furious pace.

I was stressed that he wouldn’t stop. After being punished for 10 minutes, the weather cleared. And guess what? He made the monument at 6:35. His average speed over the last 35 miles was near 25 MPH.

Riding through the storm!	Four Corners, arrived tired!

 

During our visit to the monument, we encountered a mother and daughter from Florida. The daughter, who was employed as a Park Ranger, had been in Florida during the winter and, I believe, Yosemite during the summer. They captured our photograph, and the mother inquired about my Nikon D810 camera. This conversation led to an engaging exchange on various topics before we departed.

 

While attempting to locate the “Welcome to Utah” sign, I am uncertain of the state we were traversing in the fourth state. We did not conduct further research as we were at the monument to validate our completion of the four corners.

Initially, I anticipated that he would make an overnight stop, but he persistently insisted on continuing his journey. This is a common occurrence: I am prepared early in the morning and must wait, while he prefers to depart late when I am fatigued. Consequently, he commenced riding and continued for an extended period. After exceeding 125 miles for the day, he finally halted.

The stress was mounting, and after a significant disagreement, we decided to alter our plans. Initially, he expressed a desire to return home and send me home as soon as possible. Subsequently, he concluded that Northern Arizona is not an ideal destination for sightseeing, as it lacks towns and is desolate. We desired to enhance the enjoyment of the remaining 200 miles of our journey.

Given that I had yet to explore any state forests in the Southwest United States, we decided to abandon our original destination ride and instead focus on visiting areas worth touring. Consequently, we opted not to conclude our trip at Flagstaff. He required approximately 660 miles to reach Flagstaff, and he had already covered about 430 miles. Therefore, our revised objective is to conclude his vacation with a total of 650 miles or more and return one day early. This translates to an average of over 90 miles per day. Recall the challenging weather conditions he encountered during the first five days of his journey.

Consequently, we drove to Page, Arizona, where, to our surprise, most of the hotels were fully booked. There were some establishments with nightly rates of $160, but I did not perceive the value of paying $160 for seven hours of sleep. Therefore, at 11:00 PM Mountain time, we found ourselves nestled in the corner of the Walmart parking lot, prepared for rest.

Segment 1: 11:00 AM Start (3,160 feet of climb)

Segment 2: 3:52 PM Start (264 feet of climb)

 Segment 3: 5:05 PM Start (192 feet of climb)

Segment 4: 5:52 PM Start (32 feet of climb)

Segment 5: 6:16 PM Start (772 feet of climb)

Segment 6: 7:41 PM Start (1,169 feet of climb)

Segment 7: 9:09 PM Start (7 feet of climb)

OVERALL SUMMARY (Day/Overall)

• Miles - 125.24  / 419.88
• Elevation  - 5,596 feet / 34,630 feet
• Riding Time (H:M:S) - 7:29:20 / 28:55:14

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!