Oh BTW, and I have some updates for you.
With the weather in Colorado quickly degenerating, I was forced to push myself harder than I had before. Not only this, but I made an important decision…. the scheduled southern route through Utah was going to be too treacherous and cold at this time of the year.
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| Dolores, CO |
*In Gunnison, Coach VanHee allowed me to stay in the wrestling room at Western State College.
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| Blue Mesa Lake, CO |
*I camped at Blue Mesa Lake the next night. Afterwards, I set out for Montrose, followed by Telluride, and Delores. I don’t think I could capture the beauty of Lizard Head Pass with words so I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
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| Serene, CO |
*I crossed into Arizona on October 23rd, near 4 corners. I don’t like to be a hater but I had forgotten how ugly this part of Arizona is.
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| Near 4 Corners |
*Now for the greatest challenge of all: the Ute and Navaho reservations. Note to whom it may concern: avoid this desolate area if at all possible. If absolutely necessary, bring significantly larger quantities of supplies for crossing this barren landscape which has a significantly low overall population of humans and high overall population of stray dogs.
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| Navaho Trading Post |
There are some spectacular views of mesas, mountains, and brightly colored “painted” sands so all hope was not lost :)
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| Near Red Mesa, AZ |
*After several flat tires on the reservation, I had a yelling freak-out panic attack in the middle of nowhere. Looking back on it, I wish I had camera footage of it because it would have been juicier than of some of the YouTube bests. I sat on the side of the road in the sand contemplating my options after having turned my inner tube into patchwork quilt of vulcanizing epoxy and rubber patches. In my lowest moment I realized that one of my spokes had ripped from the rim and left a massive, jagged hole in its place. My rim was warped, rubbing, and hardly capable of continuing on.
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| Spoke FAIL |
*Sara Bartels came to the rescue, on her way home from a trip to Vegas. She brought me a wheel, tire, tools and even pizza! I am so fortunate for the kindness of others (without it, I may have become a permanent resident of the reservation...crisis averted). After riding to Kayenta, I checked into a bed and breakfast where I could fix my bike. It was up and running and I was off towards Tuba City the next morning.
*I was forced to make a tough decision. Upon reaching Tonalea around sunset, I asked the woman if it would be okay to camp behind the trading post. She responded that it is too dangerous and that the area had recently been victim to crime due to the high traffic of intoxicated individuals. I said “Well shoot, I’ve been to college and I’ve seen the area surrounding ASU on a Thursday night, now those are drunk people to be worried about…how dangerous could it be?” I moved on, riding into Tuba City at night.
*Tuba City to Flagstaff was another challenging day. As I rode up the hill about 30 miles north of town, the temperatures dropped as I entered a sleet storm. I would say the climax was when I had my second wind near the top of the hill. Rock music blasting, I pushed myself past what I thought I was capable, the sleet stung as it battered my cheeks and, at that moment, I knew nothing could have stopped me.
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| Rez Rainbow |
*I took the scenic route from Flagstaff, to Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, and through to Prescott. The next day I pushed for home. Upon speeding down Yarnell hill, I met my dad near Congress, Arizona. I unloaded my bag’s into my dad’s truck and was free from the pressures of carrying all of my gear. Now this was truly the home stretch. Past Lake Pleasant and onto Happy Valley Road I sped. One of my best high school buddies, Jamesy McD, met up with me for the last 10 mile stretch to my parents home.
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| near Yarnell, AZ |
*Cedric Bosch and I decided to take the Phoenix to Tucson leg in a single serving. We timed it just perfect after having food at DQ at Picacho Peak and In-and-Out Burger in Oro Valley, arriving just after 6pm. I was met by 10 awesome friends who had balloons and a finish line set up on the mall right next to Old Main.
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| Tucson, AZ |
Check this recent article out!
TUNE IN SOON FOR MORE PICTURES, UPDATES ON THE BANQUET DINNER AND MY BLOG’S CAPSTONE!
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