Made it to Top Of The World

This Highway 60 tunnel is one scarey place...tough eastbound upgrade

Evening shadows falling on Arizona Canyon east of Globe

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
                                          John 6:35

Well, I feel like I accomplished something big by making up the grade into the Pinal mountains, thru the tunnel and then onto Globe. The Grade of the road (Hwy 60) between Superior and Top Of The World  was so extreme that I walked my bike most of the way. This distance was over 7 miles where the elevation climbed over 1,700 feet! By the time I made it to Top Of The World I was out of water. Happily, I spent the $2 for a gallon there to replenish my supply. The ride into Globe from there went quickly as I descended about 1,000 feet while exceeding speeds of 45mph.

I'm taking Sunday off to rest my legs and enjoy some NFL match ups.










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Preparing for a Grind

Happy to be breaking in my newly built 40 hole rims with 14 gauge spokes and Phil Wood hubs.

Some rest and relaxation is mandatory in my routine

Love one another as I have loved you.
                          John 15:12

Today starts the real test of what I am as a rider. I'm comfortable with my equipment and I'll be putting it to the test with assents to Superior and Globe. There is a dangerous old mining tunnel that I plan to go thru between these two towns, it's the only road available as far as I know. This tunnel on Highway 60 is not designed for bikes or a 2 lane highway from what I understand. It was built to get copper mining equipment about .5 miles through a mountain. Now it functions as a major thoroughfare for public usage. With no bike lanes, fast moving heavy traffic and a tough upgrade with a fully loaded bike; this climb should be a unique experience. I hope to live to tell another story.

Last night a rain storm suddenly appeared after I prepared my tent less camp for another night under the stars. At dusk I wanted to watch the 6th game of the World Series and headed toward a local pub in Gold Canyon. Upon learning that the game was postponed due to inclement weather I noticed people rushing inside wet and frazzled. A strong storm was blowing thru and it was to late to get my camp stuff to a dry location. Irregardless; when I made it back to camp, I just turned my wet air mattress over and unfurled my wet sleeping bag. I'm amazed at how well I slept considering the conditions. The storm departed as quickly as it came. Now my stuff is drying out on a warm sunny day.

With Blessings,

Brother Francis

Ready to Roll again

My road machine...READY TO ROLL

Treat others the way you would have them treat you.
                                                   Mathew 7:12

My upgrades are complete with a new set of touring wheels, new Brooks seat with a new seat post, new tires with heavy duty tubes, new touring handlebar with grips,inserts and as a new front stabilization spring. The stabilization spring helps me maintain control of my handle bars. This is a new and welcome asset in touring equipment because my front steering is now easier to control. The front rack and panniers add a lot of weight. Eleiseo @ Slippery Pig bike Shop in Phoenix recommended it, he also installed it for me.

I just bought a digital camera. Now, I'm prepared to reveal my adventures with pictures as well as words.

The miles should be easier now with much stronger wheels, a more comfortable seat and handle bars with a wider variety of hand positions. Next destination...Apache Junction.

New Frontiers

Life's a lot easier with the correct equipment, you need it if you are serious about touring on a bicycle.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region of the shadow of death, light has dawned.
                                                          Mathew 4:16

Since leaving Blyth, CA I've enjoyed a refreshing swim in the Colorado river and many nights camping out under the stars in Western Arizona. I've met many new friends including a organized group of cyclists raising money for injured United States Marines. I caught up with them at the tail end of their annual ride in Wenden where they raised over $300,000!

Because of the severity of wheel problems that I've had including 11 broken spokes since my trip started, I've come to the conclusion that my 28 hole rims aren't the right wheels for me to tour with. I'm sick of tightening loose spokes, truing rims and struggling  with my stock wheels. Therefore; I've ordered a set of Velocity rims (40 hole), Phil Wood hubs and 14 gauge spokes to be laced in a 4 cross pattern. These recommendations came with advise from Rincon Bike Shop owner, Dennis in Carpenteria, CA. I met Dennis a few years ago when I toured the California coast. Our physiques are similar, and he has more touring experience with heavy loads. Therefore; I heed his recommendations more than anyone else's regarding touring. He is a tandem specialist and was very adamant about me inquiring with him before purchasing more equipment. Eliseo At Slippery Pig  Bike Shop in Phoenix also helped me make some decisions about my touring wheel investment..

I finally made it to Mesa, AZ despite my wheel problems and have  been enjoying time with my niece Renee and her husband Mathew (Buddy). They have been very patient and hospitable with me as I wait for the arrival of my rims. They are coming from Florida, hopefully they will arrive today. Everything else has arrived.  I invested in a new Brooks saddle yesterday. Apparently they have a 800 mile break in period, then after that, they are very comfortable. I've heard nothing but good reviews about them. Additionally, I'm considering investing in some touring handlebars and a front end stabilizer (so my steering will be smoother). It's nice to be in the Phoenix area where there are people with resources to assist my biking adventures.

Making Miles

A beautiful Arizona rock formation

Example of excellent road for cyclists, flat, clean, dry, well marked. Enjoy this kind of road...it's not to common on a long distance tour.

Christ took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.
                                                Mathew 8:17

Well, I've had a few good days of riding under my belt and I'm watching the rising full white moon from a warm clear Blyth, CA landscape.

After some challenging days in the wet cold Cuyamaca mountains I made it down into Imperial Valley but not before breaking 5 spokes. Believe it or not I traveled over 60 miles one day with this condition. I was prepared for at least 2 days of walking but thanks to some tremendous tailwinds and a 2,000+ foot descent, I hobbled into El Centro with another rear flat (acquired 2 miles out of town). After some welcome service with owner Paul at El Centro's Finish Line Bike Shop I got a few more miles behind me. *note* I did have some tube liners installed and my wheels trued there. Paul told me my rims, chain and gear cluster were in good shape and the reason for my broken spokes was due to a break in period. All the broken spokes were on the drive side of the rim and the damage was done after a Banner Grade (outside of Julian) descent where my chain lurched off it's cluster and wedged next to the spokes...things could have been a lot worse.

The ride north out of El Centro was a bit nightmarish on Dogwood Road with little to no bike lane along with plenty of 55+mph traffic, including trucks.

I've been noticing a lot of play in my rear wheel and the pedaling has been tough with some undesirable sounds. Lo and behold! I've noticed several loose spokes, now, I get to monitor them too. I'm considering investing in some higher end touring rims so these wheel problems will hopefully cease.The Phoenix metro area will be the area where that transition will be made. There will certainly be some challenging mountains and miles between here and there.

Finally on the road

Maybe there's a gold in those hills

 A great Prophet has risen among us; God has looked favorably on his people.
                                                                                  Luke 7:16

I finally got on the road after several weeks of delay. I'm posting this from beautiful Pine Valley, CA where I'm enjoying a breezy sunny day with temperatures in the 70s. The free WiFi signal from the closed public library is nice too. I might be a little crazy to be leaving this beautiful place but I am only answering my calling.

My vehicle is tucked away, other possessions sold (as many as I could find buyers for)  and I'm officially en route to new horizons. The mountains have been a challenge and the miles are earned. My longest day has been only 20 miles. I'm carrying more gear than I'm used to including cooking materials an extra sleeping bag and a fine bottle of Don Julio Tequila given to me by a dear friend Joe Cardenas (retired Park Ranger San Diego). The city of San Diego has proclaimed 30 March to be Joe Cardenas recognition day. How ironic that I have such an intimate relationship with such a big wig local.

I noticed my first flat tire today after waking up to a cool mourning. I'm skeptical about using tire liners because I've had problems with them before. I'm still liner less but am considering reinvesting in them because of the junk on the road besides thorns that can find their way into my tires (like the wire I found this mourning).