CitySquash 2015 Bicycle Ride
Day 5 by Bryan Patterson June 11, 2015 - We
were getting use to getting up early, so 6am it was again. We wanted to
get onto the road early to beat the heat and to get as much riding in
as we could, given that we had Route 66 under our tyres! Before we left
we said our goodbyes to Shin who was now going to making his way to the
Grand Canyon. We reminded him of the pact that we had made to ride the
last mile into Tokyo if/when he completed his World cycling. Sidd
was raring to go and with the rest of the crew started out on Route 66.
Nothing much other than blue skies and smooth road, well comparatively
so and getting cooler as we hit what can only be described as cattle
country, with a more verdant landscape and rolling hills. Now this was
what Route 66 should be like all the way!!
We were aiming for Williams another mining town, and we made good time,
but after 12 miles Sidd was ordered back into the van. We were being
safe and sure with him. We made Williams in reasonable time and decided
to have lunch. Williams is set at the base of beautiful wooded slopes
and is one of the gateways to the Grand Canyon area. Again it has the
blend of old and new, with many stores still with the original frontage.
Lunch was at Annie’s Bar a great little sort of bar saloon cafe which
seems to be frequented by the local constabulary. Always funny to see
people carrying guns!
Lunch taken and a look around the town saw us on the road again headed
towards Flagstaff. Giselle and Sidd took a rest, with driver James in
the van We had a great stretch of forest road with meadows interspersed
between trees and then hit the dirt once again, but this was not as bad
as before, actually quite smooth. Giselle had once again taken to
biking and along with Jeremy, Cristian, Mark and myself we were making
good time but once again we hit Highway 40! We had stopped about a mile
short of 40 so told Sidd that he could ride again. Off he and I went
for the mile, with the van waiting for us. The look of disappointment
on Sidd face was to say the least priceless!! He thought that he would
be riding for more miles than just one!.
Again frustrating that we all had to get into the van and drive the
last part of the route, but it seems that this is what Route 66 is
about. Sometimes you’re on it and sometimes you’re not. So we arrived
into Flagstaff, a much bigger town than any of the last few days, in
fact bigger than any since San Bernadino. We found the local Safeway
supermarket and stocked up with food and water. Mark was going to cook
us all an evening meal and we were really ready for this. The tent was
set up – thanks Cristian, Giselle and Jeremy – while Sidd helped Mark
with the dinner. Sidd’s speciality is guacamole and boy this was a
terrific starter. Main course was a beaut., a combination of chilly
chicken, ginger, and lemon and other delicious ingredients. Could not
have finished the day better!
