Well, it has been a week since our last post, and wow have things transformed from a week ago. Pete and I are both calling Arizona “The Learning State” because of what we learned not only about riding across country, but also about ourselves. It was a rough go in the beginning, but thanks to the help of so many people, we’re cruising now! Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to Utah!
One thing before we begin with the stories, the donation link is now the correct web address, so if you were trying to donate before and it wasn’t going through, it will now!
Since time is a bit limited before the library closes here in Kanab, Utah (798 miles into the trip!) we were thinking the best way to share the past week was through a photo and then a story. Please keep the support and words of encouragement coming, thanks for all the well-wishes!
(I don’t know how to flip the photo on this computer–sorry!) The first six days started out rough with a bunch of mechanicals–I needed new chain rings in San Diego, Pete needed a new chain and cassette, and then came the flats. I got 12 flats in 6 days, and tore the sidewall out of 2 tires… the stress of these flats was compounded by the 118 degree heat of the Desert!!!! The photo is of me with flat number 9! (Oh, and if you can’t tell in the photo, my jersey broke also!)
But Pete and I pushed on and made it to…
Hope, Arizona… where our luck changed! In the last picture above, we had just used our last tube, and only had 2 tube patches left… and then as we rolled into Hope, there were two bikers who were doing their own cross-country trip. They had a support vehicle and handed us over another tube! Yes!
Then started our 125 miles blitz to try to get to Prescott, Arizona, where the next bike shop was located, while trying not to get a flat! We made it to Prescott (we used that last tube!) and there at High Gear we met Cindy who got me the tires I needed and hooked us up with free parts and labor! Thank you so much to Cindy and everyone at High Gear!
The next stop after Prescott was the GRAND CANYON! it was such a huge milestone for Pete and I to reach a point that looking at a map 6 months ago meant something completely different to us than what we felt when we actually made it–Amazing.
To be able to be here after the difficulty of the heat and the bike problems of the first week meant so much to Pete and I!
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In a crazy turn of events, we met up with Kevin and Sherry Lentz and their family–a couple we met while Pete and I were overheated at a rest stop right as we entered Arizona off the freeway. It was so funny to see a familiar face after 400 miles of riding! They hooked us up with some PB&J and Oreos and Pete and I were off to tackle the rest of the Canyon.
We also met up with Pat and Holly from Wisconsin who really believed in what we were riding for, promised to go to the website and donate to FINCA and also gave us $20 for avocados! We can’t express how much we appreciate all the people that we have met who have helped us and are helping us make this journey a reality! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our words of thanks don’t do justice to the gratitude Pete and I both feel for everything that has gotten to this point. We’ll keep pedaling until we reach Boston and validate all the support that has been given to us. Thank you, everyone!
Below are a couple pictures from our campsites, and the “Pete and Patch special” roadstop break-time!
Campsite on the side of US 71 in Arizona!
Campsite in the Navajo Reservation outside Cameron, AZ
On the side of 89A in ‘Zona!
Welcome to Fredonia, Arizona!
I put this on the toptube of my bicycle to remind myself and others what this trip means to me!
There’s a lot left unsaid, and what has been said does not give justice to the experiences Pete and I have had and the gratitude we feel to everyone who has helped us get to this point! Thank you to everyone, and until next time, keep pedaling!
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June 25th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
[…] Welcome to Utah! Pete and I are both calling Arizona “The Learning State” because of what we learned not only about riding across country, but also about ourselves. It was a rough go in the beginning, but thanks to the help of so many people, … […]
June 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Greetings from SD!
What a relief to see your new blog entries this morning! Way to go - already in Utah!
We are so proud of you two. Keep up the good work.
Grami would like to donate $10 at this point, but maybe a few dollars more next month.
Keep livin’ the dream.
Love,
Grami & MA
June 26th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Very cool Pete. Your brother told me you were doing this. Don’t forget to always use turn signals.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Mr. Pete!!!!! and Patch too!!! God, can I just tell you how much I hate you right now!… You know that not to be true, but if I was envious of you before the trip, I am super envious right now. You are not only living your dream, but as you know from previous discussions, you are truly living one of my ultimate dreams. Sniff, sniff, wipe a tear from my eye. I am so proud of what you are doing and so so glad you have torn through the difficult first part. Isn’t it wonderful that no matter what everyone says about folks in this country that there are so so many out there to help you along. That was what I always enjoyed most about my trips too. Keep it up guys! Loving the blog!
June 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am
FANTASTIC! Love your postings. You are an inspiration. Go, go, go.