Transcontinentalitis, Days 31 - 35 (near Chama, NM to Kanab, UT)

Ugh. It's a good thing I wasn't as lazy about the trip as I have been about recording this journal.

We were out of the Rockies, feeling invincible. Of course Mother Nature wouldn't allow that to persist for long.

Day 31: near Chama, NM to Bloomfield, NM (98.5 miles, 2347.5 total, 38.20 mph max)

Well, one month down. Twelve segments to go.

We forgot we were out of bagels today so we had to wait until mile 60 at 1:30 pm before we got to a store. We polished off a whole loaf of bread making PB sandwiches. We made it to Bloomfield and got a cabin at a KOA.We're watching TV in the lounge shack. 

We're into some desolate country now. A lot of planning involved. If we go too far, we may be stuck the night after. So, we're taking a lot of precautions. 

I loved the scenery today. Rocky canyons and cliffs. The wind was rough and will be for awhile. Tomorrow, Arizona. I'm psyched we're going so fast.

We crossed the Continental Divide today. I like the couple that owns the KOA. They helped us find a place for tomorrow night.

Day 32: Bloomfield, NM to Mexican Water, AZ (103.2 miles, 2450.7 total, 38.3 mph max)

First day of month two, and today was the worst day yet. We cruised for 40 miles and had lunch, and averaged 20 mph for that leg. Then, for the last 60 we had a very strong headwind. Very tough. Harder than any day in VA or NM. I really got discouraged today.

I hate Arizona already.

We crossed the border around 2:45. Dinner sucked. The Mexican Water restaurant was the only choice.

I really hated today. I got run off the road by a rig and another time, blown off by the wind. Well, we know not to ride past 4 pm now. 

I can't figure out why we smell like ammonia all the time. Our clothes and bodies. Weird.

Day 33: Mexican Water, AZ to Kayenta, AZ (42.6 miles, 2493.4 total, 36.4 mph max)

Well, to say the least, today sucked. We went a short distance in 6 hours, at like 7 mph starting at 9 am. I was actually crying at one point, pleading with the wind. It was like we were being punished. Winds right in our face.

Then, a truck would come past and cause the wind to go in all kinds of swirls. Chris got thrown off the road once. I looked back and he was headed off to the right into a field. Crazy.

I think we'll be slowed way down on this trip if the winds keep up. It's very disheartening.
We hope to make it to Glen Canyon tomorrow, 98 miles away. That means we can have no wind problems. Fat chance.

If not, we'll get there in two days. 

The winds are so bad we had to get a room at a hotel in Kayenta. It's a cool town, the big deal is Monument Valley 20 miles to the north. Please may the winds stop for us. Please!

Day 34: Kayenta, AZ to Page, AZ (100.3 miles, 2593.4 total, 37.4 mph max)

Today was okay. Headwinds for half the day, tailwinds for the other half. I woke up feeling sick from yesterday. I still have a cold that makes riding hard.
We crept along for the first 35 miles and then got some wind at our back.

Chris lost his cyclometer and is searching for it now. He's convinced somebody stole it. 

We had lunch in Kaibito, AZ, a small Indian village. They were having a picnic and gave us burgers. The most friendly Indians yet. They actually still speak their native language there. 

Then it rained for awhile. We had to layer because it got really cold, and we made it to Page.

Alas, a day to be happy about. Chris found his computer. I thought things were going to get heated there for awhile.

Page is very cool, even though it's a tourist town. Lots of people come here to fish and raft.
Oh yeah -- the kids in Kaibito were nosy. They hung around us while we did some bike repairs. Kind of nice to communicate, but they kept trying to get involved.

Tomorrow, the bridge in the first five miles, and then Utah. We may kill ourselves and go to Zion if the wind cooperates.

Day 35: Page, AZ to Kenab, UT (76.8 miles, 2670.2 total, 38.7 mph max)

A great day. The winds were somewhat cooperative. 

The Glen Canyon Bridge and Dam were fantastic. We made it to Kenab, UT no sweat. 500 miles to go. I'm psyched.

We cruised all day long beside cliffs and rock formations. Beautiful stuff. I spent the better part of the day daydreaming about starting a mountain bike program at camp. 

The day flew past like never before. What a great feeling!

Zion National Park tomorrow. We should be about a week from LA. I can't believe it. Kenab is a small town,  but just big enough to have a Pizza Hut.

It's Father's Day and I'm going to call Dad. He's been so awesome and supportive with this trip. I think he's more excited that I am, with the newspapers, T-shirts, and cash. It's all been a tremendous help.

I'll never be able to thank him enough. I'll try though.

We've gotten accustomed to having a snack before crashing. We are always hungry, so we always eat. Tonight Chris and I each ate a whole pie and a half gallon of chocolate milk.

Some of these memories come back to me vividly: Chris's feverish search for his cyclometer (keep in mind that all of our possessions were on our bodies or hanging from our bicycles). Trying to ride a bike straight at the moment a strong headwind becomes a strong vortex of winds as a truck passes. Eating an entire apple pie by myself. The Indian kids in Kaibito trying to hold our bikes up for us while we fixed them. Reading through this journal is bringing it back.