Lee bike, hike, and metal art blog

Dixie 311 June 2010

2010-07-24T16:36:00.001-07:00

Dixie 311 Route on Satellite image of southwest Utah

Sculpted tree on the Sevier Plateau

Mike at Thunder Mtn trail
Greg at Thunder Mountain Trail
The other Greg on the race,Greg Bach caught up with us and passed us on the Sevier Plateau

Bonsai on the Pink Cliffs
Virgin River Canyons
Singletrack on way to Pink Cliffs

I had just heard of the Dixie 311 from Scott Morris and then Mike Curiak invited me to tour it, not race it, The route looked fascinating. The route is a loop in the Dixie National Forest near Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument and also taking in the Fishook National Forest and the Tushar Mountains. Views on Google Earth where I could see the trail going on a rim above the Virgin River really sealed the deal, I had to do this ride. Joan got interested too which made it even better. She was willing to meet me periodically to get my feed bag replenished.Joan met me 2 times during the week. The fresh meals, resupply and Joan's company were magic.

Joan
I went with my sleeping gear on the bike and a couple of days of chow. The route went some places far from any resupply options. Mike and Greg who joined us were well stocked with freeze dry food.

The ride began in a peculiar way. I was all ramped up to go, I had done tons of preparation having been known as the slow poke on some previous rides. I was trying to repair my reputation. I waited round for quite a while but I was getting cold so decided to ride ahead and let them catch up to me. They did, but in a strange way I had set the stage for the rest of the week. I ended up riding by myself much of the time while Mike and Greg stopped more than I to take photos.Mike and Greg took a few pictures

The nights were pretty good with my well refined bike packing setup

I usually sleep from sundown to sunup so we ended up travelling at about the same average.

I would catch Mike and Greg or they catch me and once we actually camped in the same place. We also shared a wonderful afternoon on a bluff on the Pink Cliffs where we took luxurious naps waking to the worlds best view. The trail kept to the Pink Cliffs along the tops and then plummeted down and rode more Pink Cliffs along the bottom.

very welcome bubbling water after descending Pink Cliffs
There was some hike-a-bike on the Dixie 311

Then the route climbed back into pine forests and lakes and aspen glades. I met Joan a couple of days out at Red Rock Canyon. She had all sorts of groceries waiting for us. Mike and Greg turned down the banquet and rode on into the afternoon. Even though we were "touring" Mike and Greg were not accepting support which could have technically kept them in the race. I was not racing so stayed and enjoyed the time with Joan and the next day continued the ride. There was a sweet lonely valley called Hunt where I scared up a bull elk who was bedded down near the trail.

There were miles of trail littered with downed trees. Sometimes it was a mile an hour or less dragging my bike over that deadfall. Other times I was merrily riding up a clear trail looking at the babbling brook on one side and the lupine and paintbrush on the other. It was all new country for me and the adventure was real.There were some trees down across many sections of trail

There was Adams Head looming above,

after many hours of climbing I circumnavigated Adams Head and passed near a point which showed on my GPS a place where presumably due to the grand view John W Powell had left a survey point to refer to.

There was a fun descent to Circleville and the cafe and resupply awaited. The visit to Circleville was brief and then the great climb into the Tushar's commenced.

Tushar Mountains
Paiute ATV trail in Tushar Mountains
Road out of Circleville climbing into Tushar Mountains

Old Boiler on a rather trying section of nearly non-existent trail but seeing the secret valley and the boiler was worth itCrossing Hwy 20 in Buckskin Valley

A few days later after getting a look at the snow capped Tushar mountains and just kissing the snowbanks I descended to a place where I was going to meet Joan.

As soon as I arrived I knew our plan was in trouble. The road which she was to have come up was too rough for our car. I did not know where she was. There was no cell phone service it was getting late in the day and I was out of supplies. The solution to this conundrum was to plummet to the valley and ride to the town of Parowan. I went to the nearest cafe, ordered a steak and pondered my next move as the sun set. In the end I stayed in a motel, Joan camped in the mountains and we reunited the next day. Joan had a good night camping, I had a worried night in the motel trying to think if I could do something . That was it for my ride. I was tired, I'd had a good run. For me it was the Dixie 270.

Mike and Greg finished all 311 miles, Joan and I motor toured Cedar Breaks and Capitol Reef National Park and then we headed back to Leadville. Ahh, the home bed feels mighty good after sleeping on the ground.

What a route, what a ride. Thanks to Dave and Linda for the route planning, thanks to Mike, Scott, Greg for getting me informed and motivated to do this ride, and thanks to Joan for encouraging and supporting me.

AZT 300 2010

2010-04-30T16:46:00.001-07:00

< < Fernando Paz and Lee Blackwell
Mary Reynolds on the trail

The AZT 300 had been penciled in on my calendar. An appointment with fate looming there, taunting with the joyful promise of seeing the wild places once again, visiting some familiar favorite scenes along that 300 mile route. Taunting me with recollections of fatigue and self induced pain. Mary Reynolds called me to go out and take a look at the route. She was going to give it a try for the first time. I looked at the threads on Bikepacking.net and read of the enthusiastic plans of this year's contingent of racers.

I went out with Mary on a pre ride, we did a little night riding on the course. The ride got me thinking more but I still had not made a commitment to race. A day before the race I suddenly felt inspired.

Fernando Paz offered me a ride to the start, another good omen.

I woke up nauseous. Fernando arrived on time, I puked, then I was ready sit in the pickup while Fernando drove me out to Parker Lake. My feeling sick had put us behind schedule. When we arrived the racers had left 5 minutes before. The Spot tracker which Scott had saved for me was ready. I loaded the batteries shivering in the snow, still feeling a little queasy. I bid Fernando and others goodbye, clipped in and rode off into the snowy forest.

The fresh cool air invigorated me. The silence of the forest was profound.

I caught up with some of the racers. Chatted with some, and later Mary and Tim and I rode together for a few hours.

Arrival in Patagonia was welcomed. Pizza awaited. Some of the faster riders were departing as we rode up. I went to the store to get food to last till Tucson. Tuna in foil, tortillas, cheese, candy.

climbing Salero Road enjoying the sunset I rode into the night.

Found the perfect place to camp and later Tim showed up and we stayed in that nice place till dawn. I had hoped Mary would ride till she found us but I did not see her.

A big climb ensued which warmed me up, then the descent to Whipple visitor center, exhilarating and on to the Elephant Head Mountain Bike trail where the Ocotillos and flowers were in bloom. I had just enough water to make it to Proctor where there is a faucet. I'd lost Tim since he had gone for water at Whipples.

I rode for hours up Box Canyon and onto the new section of AZ trail where Brendan and Matt came into view.

The pace seemed to quicken after they became aware of my approach. Nothing like a little competition to get things going! We then proceeded to spend the rest of the afternoon riding that great stretch of trail into the Rincon Valley. When darkness came we rode Spanish Trail right into Tucson directly to the Subway for a footlong club. Wow did that hit the spot!

We camped outside Tucson. In the night Matt's aching hip got the better of him. He was in great pain. A night rescue ensued thanks to cell phones and a willing spouse.

Next crisis was on Reddington Pass. Brenden announced with anguish that his frame had cracked. After some discussion Brenden went back down and I continued on alone.

The next big surprise was some trail magic. I hear bells and see a sign, welcoming the AZ trail racers! I accepted a Coke from these trail angels .

Dave See was waiting on Bellota Trail for Brendan. We had a relaxed lunch. I unpacked and spread out my sleeping gear to dry in the warm sun. Thanks for those great cranberry's Dave! They were just the ticket!

The big climb over to the Catalina Highway wore me out. Later the the long climb up to Summerhaven brought on those familiar feelings of extreme fatigue. It is a familiar feeling, is not very fun but I also know that it doesn't usually stop me. Just keep going and enjoy the views. I arrived at Summerhaven at dark and it was cold. I did not think I would have a good night camping in those temperatures. Everything was closed in Summerhaven. No warm cafe meal was going to happen here. A lone figure was walking down the road, Dorothy her name was, after a moment she offered me her extra cabin

She said, " go on up there, make yourself at home, I'll see you in the morning" No name , no suspicion , no doubt, it was so cool! I made a fire and ate my tuna and camped on the hearth not wanting to mess up a bed or cause any work for her after I left. Thanks Dorothy! I probably finished the 300 because of your hospitality!

After that great restful night I was ready for Oracle Ridge and Oracle Ridge was ready for me. Downed timber had been prepared for me and lot's of rocks! High quality Hike-A-Bike!

Oracle came by late afternoon. Time to feed and buy feed for the next and last leg. Next stop for food would be at the end and I was not sure how many days that might be. Oracle Market was a great stop and I headed out with belly full of canned corn and pinto beans, a pound of roast beef in my pack, packages of tuna and tortillas.

Antelope Peak was on my mind. On the way out of town I met Tim rolling in. I thought about hanging out with him but I was ready to roll with daylight slipping so after a call to Scott and Joan on the cell phone I headed north to Antelope Peak. I know this remote trail well so I was ready to see it in the moonlight and the body was still willing as the mind. Just short of Bloodsucker wash I began to feel a genuine sleep call so I found a nice spot and and layed out my kit and had a little roast beef wrapped in tortilla and went to sleep!

Next day Antelope still needed to be passed and it is quite a circuitous piece of trail to get there. Good trail though. Here's the Antelope. It is visible for miles so arrival at it always seems like celebration.

Next was Freeman Road and the water cache. Thanks Jonesy for stocking that water for us

Then the boulders ....

A self portrait.....

A nap hideaway in the afternoon heat...

Then the Gila river and the diversion dam where I crossed.

I always like crossing the Gila river. It is where property descriptions in Arizona begin. " starting at the Gila and Salt River meridian" begins every property legal description. The Gila is also where Mexico began prior to the Gadsden Purchase. the Gila also used to flow freely and the Pima indians farmed. Phoenix diverted the water and Johnny Cash wrote a song about Ira Hayes. He was the Pima indian who raised the flag at Iwo Jima in WW2. Ira did not fare well after the war and the man in black describes it in great detail in the song. Crossing the Gila also means great forward progress for Lee Blackwell AZT 300 racer. Box Canyon was next.

Box was a lovely respite from the afternoon sun. This is a wild playground, motor city for the Phoenix dwellers on the weekends. All the fancy rigs are brought out and parties and general mayhem ensue. Ahh for me though late in the day during the week, one lone land cruiser went by and that was it. I even pumped water to top off my supply for I was not done yet. The Great Orphan Butte was coming and I knew what I was in for.

Box canyon topped out, Weavers needle appeared in the distance, the sun set and the lights of Coolidge, and the valley appeared. My legs felt strong, the heat had moderated. I put my ears on and Creedence and Rhonstadt, Neil and the Bealtles kept me company as my body and bike worked in perfect harmony to ascend that road. I topped out and in the rising moon there was Picketpost Mountain looming above an abyss not yet lit by the moon. I made a cell call and determined that my loving wife Joan was en route to the trails end at the foot of Picketpost Mountain. I descended into the dark abysss with my LED lights beaming brightly. I knew this trail is a tricker though. It appears to descend but in fact has a lot of little trick up hill sections. The climb had exhuasted me so I decided to sit down and have proper dinner though I was so close to the end. The renewed calories served me well on that tedious descent.

There was a light, a stately saguaro lit in the surrounding darkness. I knew this could be only one thing. Joan had hiked up the trail to greet me and was shining her light on this saguaro to make a grand finale for Lee Blackwell confirmed AZT racer. I'd attempted this race twice in previous years. 3rd time was the charm.

Front Range

2009-07-26T17:20:00.001-07:00

Lee and Joan went to the "Front Range " to deliver the bike fountain and the yucca fountain. Here I'm setting up the fountain at the Kinning residence in Golden.

When the delivery was complete we made our way to Fort Collins to visit The New Belgium Brewery and just to see Fort Collins..
Then down to Loveland and looked at the sculpture gardens there.
Next was Colorado Springs where we delivered the yucca fountain and also went to the Olympic Training Center.

Leadville looked real nice seeing the clear crisp air as we drove back home after our whirlwind tour of the "Front Range"

all night ramble

2009-07-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a ride and Tom Purvis had the idea. Set out at 9:00 pm and ride all night.

Off we rode from Salida to top of Marshall Pass then north on the Crest trail. It was mighty dark and only our light beams were our world. In that blackness and in the complete silence we pedaled up the old railroad route to Marshall Pass. To pass the time I began thinking how the steam engines passed in the night on this route 100 years ago. The engineer watching the track ahead and the stoker keeping the coal in the firebox. I imagined how the passengers would be dozing in the cars on the night run to Gunnison. Later I sang and tried to remember the words to all the train songs I know. Here Cathy, Tom's girlfriend, took our picture on departure from Salida.
Breakfast at first light.

We arrived at Marshall Pass and then proceeded north on the Continental Divide/ Colorado Trail. We made many miles on that crest trail. Nearly at Monarch Pass at 3:45 am in total darkness all I wanted was sleep. Tom was not feeling too frisky either so he said go ahead, take a nap. I layed down on the pine duff at 12000 feet. Instant sleep, like an elixir, relief. Half hour later the cold was creeping into my still body. I had to get up. Much better, I felt good again and a few minutes later the first light began to show on the horizon. It was so great to know the sun was coming. The daisys and lupine showed in my light. Waiting for the sun. We backtracked rode back to Marshall Pass then crossed and continued south to Silver Creek.

The sun came with all the glory of a lit world. Silver Creek was backlit, as we descended the birds twittered and the aspen shimmered, fresh dew on the grasses. We picked up the Rainbow trail and the beautiful flowers nodded as we descended to the warmer world.

We rolled back to Salida and had breakfast. Then the big nap. It was like being in a coma at midday. Wow that sleep deprivation is really memorable.

Vapor 125 coming up. This was a good practice. Tom and I had a really nice time, good conversations and sharing the experience.

Here's a 3d map of the route. I think you can click to enlarge.

Big boiler

2009-07-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Joan knows I love to see old boilers. She had spotted this one in a secret meadow outside Leadville. She took me on a hike to see it. It took a while to find it but then there it was sitting in the meadow.

Here was the gold they left behind.

Thanks Joan!

Big Wheel Fountain

2009-07-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

This big wheel fountain is for the Kinning residence. I was part way into it before getting any pictures of making the wheel itself but I did have the presence of mind to take pictures of making the frame and base.

The video takes a while to load but it really
shows it well as the wheel turns and you can hear the great sound as well

Copper Yucca Fountain

2009-07-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the process of making a copper yucca fountain. This fountain is a special order for Mr. Reynolds in Colorado Springs.

I start by making a bunch of leaves out of sheet copper

make the stems for the flowers

The flowers which will go on the stems

The copper disc which will be folded to make the base I had not taken a picture of making the main stem but here it is with the flowers on top and in the base getting tested for good flow characteristics

now I add the leaves to the stem

A completed Yucca Fountain

Shawn's favorite ride

2009-07-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

Shawn Gillis and I decided to schedule a ride. Shawn asked Wes to join us too. A few days later Shawn and Wes met me in Chalk Creek and we drove on up toward St Elmo. The ride follows the old railroad grade to the old Alpine Tunnel. There's some interesting structures along the route.

Shawn, Wes and I climbed higher as the sun went down. When we arrived at the East portal of the abandoned Alpine Tunnel we turned to a singletrack which rises over the divide. There was a snowfield to cross which required focus to take each step carefully on the steep side slope.

At the top we could see the west entrance to the collapsed tunnel.

Shawn directed us to turn right and follow a trail northwest toward wildcat canyon. We were riding the top of the divide as the sun set. In a moment I came up to Shawn and while catching my breath Shawn said "look to your right" There the moon had popped over the ridge.

I followed Shawn and Wes as the pace picked up descending toward the road which goes to Tincup Pass. We zoomed that road back to St. Elmo and the cars.

A magical ride

hike Missouri Mountain

2009-07-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

John Branksy, Steve March and Lee Blackwell climbed Missouri Mountain on July 4th 2009

The climb up the valley was steep and beautiful. Missouri is more of a mountain than a peak as the picture shows the long ridge leading the the high point on the left.

The hike along the ridge has great views

John had been eyeing a possible glissade route on the ascent. We used the route and you can see our track in the picture. It was pretty steep and I had a chance to use my new ice axe to dig in to control the speed of descent.

Thanks to John and Steve for cooking up the idea of this climb for the 4th of July 2009

Tour of the San Juan Mountains 2007

2007-09-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Tour of the San Juans Mountains September 2007

Visiting the high rockies on a bicycle is a great thing. The variety of experiences made possible by the Mountain Bike are unique and not duplicated by any other means of travel. It is not necessarily an easy or comfortable way to travel but the experiences outweigh the discomforts

The attached pictures are good, easy to view and tell a lot of the story. One set of and really the best of pictures were taken by Mike Curiak who was on part of the tour with me.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.curiak/Ooo?authkey=EV67wyjKmVU&pli=1 these are taken by and posted by Mike Curiak

http://picasaweb.google.com/mootsrider/TourOfSanJuanSelections taken by Lee Blackwell's camera

The first part of the trip started in Ouray CO. We rode up Engineer Pass and then descended on Bear Creek. Mike had come up with the plan. The thing he did not say, was the last several miles of trail there would be tremendous exposure and the trail is carved into the side of the canyon .To his credit he saved it as a surprise for Gary Dye and I who had not seen the trail before. The precipitous exposure was beautiful to behold and at the same time scintillating, thinking of the result of a plunge into the abyss. The trail then came into a section of rock which was like shards of glass. The rocks rang under the wheels like a xylophone as we rolled over them.

After this 5 hour ride we loaded our bikes and went to the other side of the valley to begin the real tour. Mike and I had our camping gear and enough food to go for several days with the goal being to get to Durango via a convoluted scenic mountain route. The balance of the day was spent climbing Imogene Pass. At dark we camped. Gary Dye had been along for the day so turned around and rode back down to his car in Ouray.

Next morning summated Imogene. Mike had mapped an old road closed long ago which went to a big old mine on Ptarmigan Lake. Then we cut around on the contour on what seemed to be a hundred year old trail. Little used now but evidence suggests that before modern highways this was the way to Silverton. You can almost hear the voices of those earlier travelers on a road like that. Here we are our high tech bikes going for a tour, where as they traveled with minerals on their mind and perhaps just survival. What a difference a hundred years can make.

On this contour to Black Bear Road I did nearly slip into a steep gully. The trip across had it's moments of difficulty. Upon reaching the jeep road called Black Bear we climbed back to 12,000 plus ft. and then had a great coast down to the Bridal Veil Falls power house. This elegant house sits above Telluride on the sheer wall of rock which makes Telluride dramatic in location. The water from Bridal Veil Basin spills in a free fall like bridal veil of white against that dark rock. At the house we turned uphill once again. Way down at 9500 ft. it seemed downright tropical in the afternoon sun as we began climbing into the basin above with the goal of summiting Oscars pass.

The trip into the basin was pleasant enough. In spite of our GPS data and a map we still had a few route finding difficulties. In the late afternoon we were at the summit of the long abandoned road over Oscar's Pass. One look over the other side, it was clear there would be no traffic to bother us. It was the steepest, most rock strewn road I can ever recall. Golden tumbles of rock in the setting sun with commanding view of the town of Ophir below and Ophir pass.

At sunset we had returned to lower elevation of 10,000 ft and the relative comfort of that elevation. I was ready to set camp, eat, and call it a day. Mike on the other hand had yet to switch on his LED light and desired to ride on into the night on to the next valley over yonder. I gave him leave and was willing to say, "great riding with you pardner see you on the next one". Mike decided not to go on but did seem disappointed. So we camped and I slept like a baby.

Next morning big grey clouds greeted our morning sky. Mike was thinking about the Interbike industry show coming up and decided the tour was over for him. I bade him goodbye and suddenly I was alone with decisions to make. The gathering clouds helped me decide. I rode over Ophir pass and then joined highway 550 to go over Red Mountain Pass and the fabulous fast coast into Ouray back to my car. I knew that returning to the car was a hazardous decision. Many a trip has been shortened or abandoned by retreating to comfort. Still, it seemed like the right thing to do as I needed to get the car to Durango or somehow get myself back to the car someway.

I stayed in Ouray for the afternoon, went to the hot spring, washed clothes and observed the gathering weather. Drove over to Silverton, slept a rainy night in my car. Decided to go to Durango, stay with Rich Donley and wait for the next window of good weather.

Rich was very kind and accommodating. It was really nice to rest up, enjoy the company of a good friend. I was waffling whether to go out, the legs feel weak at times and the mind must overcome the millions of things to distract. I did in a moment look out the window, saw the clearing sky to the west. I thought about all the preparation I'd done to be at a place where I could just go. I quickly packed up, loaded my bike in Rich's van and caught a ride with him to work which was north of town on the road to Molas Pass. Molas is where I wanted to restart where the Colorado trail crosses just above Ouray. After some riding on the highway and one hitchhike in a pickup by a fellow adventurer named Chip, I was at the top of Molas Pass and riding the trail by 10:30 am.

Here at Molas the trail is on top of the world and climbs higher. Up onto a broad escarpment and into a grand curving basin. Grizzly Peak looms in the distance. I ride the single track which gradually climbs as it contours the basin, cross a pass and then the Twin Sisters smile down upon me as I ascend Rolling Mountain. Suddenly, the very distinctive Lizard Head Peak appears and I'm descending into the Dolores River drainage. Then as the sun dips low I cross Bolam Pass and take pictures of Silver Creek in the low light. I find a high red escarpment and get my tarp secured in the last light.

A good night was had except for a bit of slippage between my pad, ground sheet and bag. Seems like one or the other of something is sliding away as if under its own power. Hotel Draw and Scotch Creek are next but not won easily. A pass which somehow I had forgotten about is keeping me busy for a few hours. Back up to the thin cold air and then an exhilarating plunge to cross the road coming up Hotel Draw. I think of other times I have been here. The first time when I was about 19 years old taking my Suzuki X6 street bike for a dirt bike ride. That motorcycle was never quite the same after that trip over Hotel Draw to Rico. Then there was the time Steve Becker and I were there on one of our first long distance bike rides. My rack broke on that ride and we came close to running out of water.

The single track of a good kind continued. I was approaching what is called The Highline Trail. I've never been sure where the Highline begins or ends but it is high so it must be right. The trail stays on the eastern edge of the ridge between the Hermosa Creek and Animas drainages and the Dolores drainage to the west. Much of the trail is just plain good riding. The views are grand but not as rugged and dramatic as the earlier trip with Mike over near Telluride. Sooner than I thought came Orphan Butte, I could see the Cape of Good hope which I knew I would need to ascend. I recall the trip with Steve where we were approaching the Cape late in the day. The Cape was "cake" and next I'm on to Indian Trail Ridge. Now this is tough. The hike a bike begins and I find myself just creeping in slow motion pushing and lifting my bike over big rocks which just stop the wheel dead unless a little lifting assistance is given to that wheel. The sun is setting, the air is thin and cold and the wind is rising. The isolated peaks of the La Plata mountains stand silently watching this ant move across the earth. I can see Kennebec pass. I know I need to be there. Over the top is a plunge down to warmer climates and comfy nights. The sun is setting. I push on, one step at time.

Eventually Kennebec is mine. I plunge off the pass. Get out of the wind and call Rich's cell phone to leave a message as to my whereabouts. That was my safety strategy. In the high places the phone works sometimes. If I vanished the knowledge as to my whereabouts would be more concentrated. Up ahead is the tropical climate of Junction Creek. I find a little niche on the hillside, purify some water set my camp, eat and get warm in my bag.

That night, a few windy moments when the great giants creak and moan and you see the latest downed ones in your periphery. Always a little fear and worry out in the wilds.

Next day is a drop down into the depths of Junction Creek which is thick with vegetation and tumbling waters. Then a climb back up to Wild Oat Mesa, a snack at Gudy's rest and next thing Durango's main street. I'm dodging RV's and delivery trucks on my way to the Durango Diner where I enjoy that earned rest, a feeling like no other.

This trip culminated a summer of preparation for the adventure. Earlier trips, bike rack making, working for fitness, sleeping in the yard to test gear.
Traveling by bike on roads, trails, forgotten ancient paths and sometimes no path at all brings a way of enjoying the country in a way which is different than any other way.

Getting my camping gear, food, bicycle and fitness all in order to accomplish the trip was part of the adventure. Really I've been preparing for this for several years. This time seemed different though. I felt that I had accomplished getting really comfortable with the whole system.

I carry cheese, sausage, cooked beef, crackers, bagels, tortillas, candy, fresh fruit, and trail mix. My water is in the pack plus bottles on the bike. I use a Miox water treatment which is a little gadget which electrically coverts a little salt water in the canister to a chemical to treat the water.

The sleeping arrangements had been a real point of difficulty. A treated nylon tarp with lots of tie points, a very light plastic ground cover, a Thermarest pad and a 5 degree down sleeping bag worked very well. I felt very good with my setup after puzzling over it for months.

My good friends Scott Morris and Mike Curiak have helped me understand this unique way of travel. We have all been out doing this and each have worked out the systems that work the best for each of us. Scott and I rode the Arizona trail together in 2004. Scott had other commitments which prevented him being on this trip. We use maps and GPS to find our way. Scott and his brother Al wrote a software program which enables us to plan a route at home using maps on the computer then load the route on the GPS to follow out in the field. Mike carries much experience from racing the Great Divide Route and the Iditarod across Alaska in the winter.

My wife Joan is at this writing having an adventure of her own climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro in Tanzania. Joan always supports me in my bike endeavors and that makes a huge difference. Thanks Joan.

The fitness to be out on a bike all day every day for a few days is always an ongoing and interesting thing. It is such a combination of mental and physical links. At the beginning of the ride I thought my knee was going to be the undoing of the trip for me. The knee was hurting and I really thought it in no way could get better. Interestingly, the knee pain vanished. General fatigue did take the place of that ailment. General fatigue is the hazard of this sport. Fortunately it is possible to recover while writing stories of the trip at a computer.

Happy Trails, hope you enjoyed the story. I enjoyed writing it.

Lee Blackwell

AZTtripper

2006-05-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

AZTtripper

Hi Tim,

Great story, congratulations on your completion of thru riding the AZ Trail!

Lee Blackwell

Mountain Biking The Arizona Trail

2005-06-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from a 900 mile 25 day mountain bike ride of the Arizona Trail from Mexico to Utah. The ride was a great experience and I plan to embark on further mountain bike adventures. Thanks to Scott my good friend for all the great rides we have undertaken in the past year and for the route finding work he did. Thanks to my wife Joan who supported my home while I was away.

There are different ways to accomplish riding from Mexico to Utah on the AZ trail. It is possible to take roads which parallel the actual singletrack route or you can ride some of the singletrack and some of the roads or you can try to follow the singletrack only. In some places the trail is not yet built and in some places the trail enters wilderness where bicycles are prohibited. Scott and I chose the ride the trail as close to the singletrack trail as possible without entering the wilderness areas.

The result of this decision caused us to search for our own route around the Superstition Wilderness which turned out to be difficult but very interesting. We came on an old line shack which is still in good condition and is probably used occassionally.

The other big obstacle which cause us a lot of conversation was the Grand Canyon. The official route of the Arizona Trail goes right through on Bright Angel to Phantom ranch and out on the North Kaibab trail. In the end we backpacked our bikes through the canyon. Now that it is done it is hard to imagine we would have done it any other way but before we accomplished the task we had doubt about whether we could even do it.

We did do it though and I know Arizona and it's back trails in a way which few have been privileged to see.

Here is the" to do "ride list

Cochetope Hills, Colorado
Columbine ride
Mesa Tres Rios, Sonora, Mexico
Pinochet highway, Argentina
Nogales hills Nogales, AZ
Highline Colorado trail
Camp Hale, Co
Mosquito Pass , Leadville to Alma