July 21st & 22nd: Following the Road to Flagstaff
By: Steve Goode
Edited By: Judi Goode
July 21st- Richfield, Utah to Flagstaff, AZ
Due to the threat of very high temperatures that were predicted for the day, I decided to get an early start to the day. I figured that it was better to ride in the coolness of the morning versus the heat of the afternoon. The day started out crisp and clear, near perfect riding conditions. I meandered my way over to Rt. 89 South, just south of I-70. It immediately put me on one of the best roads that I have ever ridden on. (I know that I say that a lot but this road really was spectacular!)
The road was set between a mountain range on my left, Monroe Peak, and Fishlake National Forest on my right. Rt. 89 followed a small slow moving lazy river as I set a quick but manageable pace. Driving this road at 8AM provided me the time and quiet solitude to realize how blessed I was to be able to take this trip. The fact that I have my health which enables me to go on this strenuous and challenging ride; the financial security to be able to cover the expenses; and the backing of my family and friends who encouraged me brought a tear to my eyes. I know too many people who would love to be able to go on this type of adventure but for various circumstances cannot even think of taking a journey such as this.
After 50 or so miles on these curvy mountain roads I eventually came to a wide-open field, again with mountain ranges on either side of me. A few miles south of Circleville, Utah I stumbled upon the boyhood home of Butch Cassidy. Stopping to take pictures, I met a couple from North Carolina and I told them what I was doing. The guy immediately reached for his wallet to donate to MAZON, but I told him it would be best if he did it online since I’d probably screw it up and forget to send the money in. Just trying to remember which city I slept in the night before requires a consultation with Google maps so I didn’t want the responsibility of carrying someone else’s donation! I also met a girl who attends the University of Wisconsin and I asked her if she ever saw the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. She had not. So, I told her Paul Newman and Robert Redford starred in the movie but it only elicited a blank stare. I then told her that they were the heart throbs of my wife and most women in the 1960’s and 70’s. She promised to see the movie and check out my recommendation.
My lunch stop was Jacob Lake, AZ, on Rt. 89a, which is the town serving the northern entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. I stopped for a quick lunch there and took off my vented gear before I headed back on the road. I only had to drive a mile down the road though before I realized that I was heading into a massive storm. I quickly turned around and headed back to Jacob Lake to put on my rain gear. It was a good thing that I put it on because five minutes later, I was in a torrential storm in the mountains with dropping temperatures and no place to stop. The storm last 20 minutes and I was drenched. Soon though, I was out of the mountains and the rain and back into bright sunshine. But with the sun and the dropping elevation came heat, and then came the really big blazing heat! Fifteen minutes later my bike registered 103-degrees on the floor of the valley. I was crossing the Colorado River and riding thru areas called Marble Canyon and Bitter Springs. This area was so desolate I actually became worried about water and potential breakdowns. Fortunately for me neither happened and the balance of the day was relatively uneventful as I cruised into Flagstaff and headed to my hotel.
July 22 — Flagstaff to Scottsdale, AZ
Bright sun greeted me as I began another early start to my day in order to avoid the afternoon heat. I was on Rt. 209 south and going through perfectly manicured roads, in the Upper Lake Mary area which is set in the Coconino National Forest. All I could see and smell were pine trees for miles with an occasional lake thrown in for good measure. I cruised thru the towns of Happy Jack, Strawberry and Pine finally making my way to Payson, AZ the largest of the towns. Payson, AZ. is set in the high country so the temperature is usually moderate. Upon ascending down Rt. 87 to Phoenix though, the temperature quickly shot up as I dropped in elevation. What started out at 85 degrees rose to 100 within the hour. The good news is that I was only about 45 minutes from my final destination. My brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Susan, were graciously letting me stay in their Scottsdale house for the next couple of days.
