Kayenta AZ-that was Utah right?- Colorado

HELLO KIND WORLD!!!

Kayenta to Mexican Hat

So we left are hotel room and got the bikes and ourselves lubed up for the day. We struck out mid morning on our way to Mexican Hat. Few ups and downs strolling thru Monument valley. Fairly simple day Crossed into Utah, looks alot like arizona, more desert. There was a pretty fun drop of 6 to 10% down across the  San Juan River with a hard right. Which led us to a our first water fall. After running our heads under some fresh spring water we hoped back onto the bikes and did the last few miles feeling rejuevinated. Kate waved us down to the Mexican hat boat launch. We all jumped in the San Juan River, cool and refreshing. We met some pretty awesome people down in the ole Mexican Hat. We would like to say thanks to the great hospitality of the family at the Mexican Hat Lodge. They own and operate the Mexican Hat Lodge home of the Swingin Steak. Which was literally a grill swingin over some cedar wood. Didnt try any of JD's cookin but it did smell delicous. His ma Vonnie was good for a story or two with a recomondation of trying Penalton Whiskey. Heath is the grandson of Vonnie, a good man servin up the cold beers. You can see some if not the whole family in a upcoming independant film called Dangerous Words from the Fearless. They started filming the day we left and said it should be 9 months ish before it'll be rolling out. After leaving the Mexican Hat Lodge we ran across the street to grab some ice and ran into DAVID DOLL who is the man! He was running with Team Donate Life. A great group that you should check out at http://www.donatelife.net/. After we chatted David up for a bit we headed back to camp. Tucked in and called it a day.

Mexican Hat to McElmo Creek

The route map said this day was going to be pretty easy. It said rolling 300 ft. hills. What happened was a bumpy road as we followed the creek. The hills turned out to be some steep long climbs... Nate was constipated, Matt and I were both tired... We honestly don't remember too much about the ride. We did however, camp at a sweet spot along the creek! We got to shout at all the Race Across America riders that they missed their turns! That was grand!

McElmo Creek to Cortez

Woke up and the stars where still shinin. Nice and early to beat the heat and finish our desert runs. Took care of the morning rituals and headed out. Climbed a few hills and started a little chat about Zombie kill of the week and other zombie apocalypse talk. It passed the time and after 12 miles in we said goodbye to Utah and hello Colorado. We dropped into a valley right after that which was a sight for sore eyes. Green Grass, Trees, and fresh mountain springs. It was smelling wonderful and looking amazing. Climbed a few more hilsl and than we were to Cortez. Showered up at the KOA right outside of town and than were back on the road again. Back on the road meaning, we cruised up to Mesa Verda National Park, where we saw some 1,000 year old cliff dwellings of the Pueblo, Najavao, and Ute tribes! SAAWEEEEET!
This blog will be continued... We are currently very tired after our ride today and the burgers for dinner and the National Park and the swimming and....run on... run on... run on...

As always, continue to read, we hope to inspire you! Share with your friends and family and foes! Repost as often as you can! Share the with the world a story that in our hearts is worth telling, that is why you are reading it!! Thanks so much! Ya'll have a good night!

                   DONATE HERE TO THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION!!!!!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=EF300BE708944C1699D288CC2CBE6157&supId=355267381

PICTURES TO COME NEXT POST!! DONT FEAR!! SORRY, I AM VERY TIRED... ITS WAY PAST MY BEDTIME.... ITS LIKE.... 930 PM.... WHOAA!

Kate's Last Night with the Crew!

Today is my last day on the road with the Raincyclists – I am sad! Throughout this adventure I have never been more sand and soil ridden in my life; but I have also never been more proud of my son Joey and his friends Matt and Nate. The dedication this journey will take is unimaginable, but these young men are committed to the cause. Every opportunity to educate an acquaintance about juvenile arthritis is taken advantage of in a professional, compassionate and informative manner – not just by Joey, but by Nate and Matt as well.

I have had so much fun just hanging with and caring for this crew. As I say good-bye tomorrow morning I am happy to know that my sister Marilyn will be taking over as support. The boys have challenged through Mingus Mountain, Yarnell Hill and several other very scary, intimidating roadways. The more difficult the challenge was gave way for more exuberant celebration upon completion. The heat and wind of the desert was just as demanding and taxing as the mountain climbs, but as a team they worked through it.  I am certain there will be more risks to take and mountains to climb, but I am even more certain that these young men will continue forward with a positive attitude that will propel them to Portland, Maine.

As you follow this journey continue to send your positive energy to this crew. Be inspired, be proud and most importantly, be thankful for every day you have to share with your friends and family because as I see though Joey’s eyes, life is full of wonder and joy, and every moment should be savored. Continue to share Joey’s message, that “Kids get Arthritis too, and it shouldn’t stop one from challenging themselves or from following their dreams”. Joey, Matt and Nate, I will be with you throughout this entire journey…not literally!

You make me so proud – keep spinning those wheels and making a difference for families living with arthritis!

Cameron to Red lake and our last full day in Arizona

Good day all ya'll!
   We have made it to just outside of monument valley and have finished our last full day in Arizona.
Yesterday started at our campsite just outside of the Grand Canyon. We got up and said good bye to our humble two day home. The longest we have stayed somewhere since Oceanside. We drove back to Cameron and got on our bikes for a ride to Cow Springs. We entered the Navajo Indian Reservation and also the Hopi Indian Reservation. On our ride we came across our first Race Across America riders. William flagged us down and took a picture of us. He then asked us what we were doing and we told him of our adventure to help kids with arthritis. He then told us that he was running a team of men who were going for the world record for the oldest men to do the Race Across America. They averaged 80 years old and there were four of them riding a combined 350 miles a day. Good luck to all you Forever Young Grand Pac Masters! We ended our day in Red Lake which is a "town" just before Cow Springs where we stayed in a cottonwood grove with SHADE!!!! It was great and beautiful and much better than some of the spots we have been staying. We also saw some clouds that looked as if there may have been a storm coming in and we got all excited for rain but none came for us.

   The next day started with a wonderful morning and a very gentle climb for the first 25 miles. We got to a maximum of 6688 feet above sea level before we dropped back down to 5700 feet in Kayenta. The views on the way to Kayenta were majestic and had some awesome contrast with the red and tan rocks with the clear blue sky. Also we had some EXTREMELY sketch semi truck drivers that decided they wanted to drive right next to us and honk just as they went by. Also some drivers thought it was a good idea to pass oncoming traffic while passing us. Other than that it was a pretty leisure day with no big climbs and no real fast descents. We are now in our first hotel of the trip in Kayenta, Arizona. Thanks to Lavina Smith for giving us a huge discount on our room. Your so cool Lavina!!!!! Today is a sad day as it is Kate's last day as our follow car. From tomorrow on Joey's Aunt Marilyn will be our support. She has brought her son CJ as her companion. Tomorrow takes us through Monument Valley and into Utah. Utah here we come!!!

Tell your friends and family and share our message that kids get arthritis too!!!

DONATE HERE

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=EF300BE708944C1699D288CC2CBE6157&supId=355267381


And now for some Pictures!!

 Campsite under some Cottonwoods!

Leaving our campsite in Red Lake (Cow Springs)

Making the magic happen

 Joe and Nate chillin on some Arizona rocks

 Nate with a sweet sittin spot

 Joey's panorama

 Little Canyon

 Matt's panorama, you choose which is better

 Campsite fun under the cottonwoods

 Sunset in Red Lake

 Painted Desert Project

 AHWOOOH!!!!!! painted desert project

 Nate on the very far left and Joey on the very far right

Bros lookin good

Flagstaff to Cameron and a Day in the Grand Canyon

HELLO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE WORLD!

   Your here to inquire about our blog, eh?
   What a day Flagstaff to Cameron, Arizona was! LITERALLY... All downhill with the occasional pedal or two every mile or so. It was a nice and relaxing day for us, with many stops just for pictures and because we wanted an oatmeal cream pie! We found this pretty awesome Desert Arts Project in Gray Lake Arizona along the route and Matt had the eye for climbing the silo for the view from above! Other than that, it was LITERALLY, the easiest day of biking to date and it was still 47 miles!
   We parked in Cameron Arizona to unload our bikes at a motel in their laundry room, along with a cooler and some other items before we made our drive west in the Grand Canyon! Upon arrival to the Grand Canyon and snatching our first view of the East part of the South Rim we searched for a campsite... Well G.C. National Park, we don't condone of your no refunds/allowing to purchase campsites that are already purchased! THANKS FOR THE WASTE OF 12 DOLLARS! Although we wasted money on a campsite that was already purchased by someone else... AND we set up our tents in that campsite because the other peoples who had got the site hadn't left any of their stuff... When this happens to you, this is what you should make happen.
1. Meet Celine (a college graduate who also has nowhere else to camp)
2. Friend Celine to join us on our journey of finding a campsite
3. Drive just outside the Grand Canyon, find a bike trail in the Kaibab National Forest
4. Drive down the trail until a good campsite is found
5. Camp for free just outside the Grand Canyon in Kaibab National Forest!

    After setting up camp for free in the National Forest, we reentered the park to view the sunset over the Canyon! It was Grand! LITERALLY! We met some folks from the UK, Bobbie, Trish, Rich, Jamie (aka The Green Cake)! Rich and Jamie are both on a bike team (Meadow View Mountain Goats) that travels and writes about their stories! Ill post their website at the end of this post! They were some great people to chat too before we set off for a late dinner at the campsite!
   The Dinner was too delicious! The stars perfect! Our guest Celine was a warm welcome! After a few drinks and laughs, it was bedtime for all, and a rest that was well needed!

   This morning Celine took off early, not after leaving us with a hostage! She gave us her business card (hand drawn) and also a Garrisson the Grand, our hostage! So basically we have to take pictures of our hostage doing everything we have do. We can also blame bad things on our hostage. Not to fear, good things can be awarded to the hostage aswell! So you will, from now on, be seeing pictures of our hostage!
   After our farewells with Celine, we made it back to the canyon for some hiking! Nate chilled on the rim the whole time napping and writing. Matt, my mom, and I took a 1.5 mile hike down into the canyon to Cedar Ridge lookout point! Along our hike we met some really cool people (funny how that always happens in life)!    We first met Ben and Izabella, two peers traveling the states, volunteering and giving presentations about sustainable living solution workshops! They are on the right track to changing the world! I really hope Ben found either some mangoes or watermelon!
   Along our way back up, right before the top, we ran into Tom and Pam! They are currently enjoying one of Pams bucket list items of the Grand Canyon, not to mention it's also their 25th Anniversary!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Tom has some family in Southern Illinois and is going to get them to put some much needed fuel in our bellies when we travel through that way! Have a great time and don't forget about doing some tubing in West Virgina in August!
   Now, we are hanging out in some small city outside the Grand Canyon in a Cafe eating up their interwebs! Tomorrow we drive back to our bikes and head off for about 56 miles and also meeting up with follow car number 2, Aunt MOO!! We are excited to get back on the road, although we don't know how much internet we will have so this may be the last post for a few days! So as always, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your foes! Repost this blog all the time, spread the word! 1 in 5 adults have arthritis or a related illness and over 300,000 kids!

http://www.sustainablelivingroadshow.org/ This is the Sustainable Living Roadshow that Ben Harper is volunteering for! Check out the website and if they ever roll through a town near you, check out their presentation!!!

http://www.themvmg.com/ This is the Meadowview Mountain Goats homepage! Check it out, they're all about mountain biking!

 Campground in Kaibab National Forest

 Sunset view over some small crack

 picture contest, I think Matt is losing...

The stars over Kaibab!

 View leaving Flagstaff

 Painted Desert Project

 Nate and Celine checking out a small crack

 Sunshine to our eyes

 Mule train just making it look easy...

 view from in the canyon

 Grand Canyon Psyteve

Matt thinking he is artsy

 Shredding the Grand Canyon

 Meadowview Mountain Goats, Celine, and the Rain Cyclists

Garrisson the Grand, our hostage, Courtesy of Celine

We eat healthy, and then we go biking

DONATE HERE!!

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=EF300BE708944C1699D288CC2CBE6157&supId=355267381

Prescot to Red Rocks Sedona to Flagstaff!

Hello world!

   Today... there was a mountain. 

   We done biked that mountain!

   Yesterday... there was a mountain.

   We done biked that mountain... and then some...

Yesterday started on a bike in Prescoot Prescot Prescotter I don't care how you say it we started in White Spar campground in Prescot National Forest just south of Prescot. We rolled through Prescot and then got on a highway that we were supposed to be on but it seemed a bit dangerous with the on and off ramps and speeding semis on both sides of us. After we got off the semi interstate highway thing we started a climb up Mingus Mountain. ( reference to little giants). The climb was fun and  we had just got into Coconino National Forest. We rode through twisty turny steep mountain roads and . The views were outrageous and led splendor to our eyes. Once at 7100 feet we started to descend only to be met with one more small climb. At the top of this climb we stopped to talk to a couple of bikers from British Columbia. They had already talked to Kate so they knew what we were doing but they were still excited to meet us and here the story from us. From that point we descended 2000 feet into the mountainside town of Jerome. On the way we were treated to jaw dropping views of what was to come. The Red Rocks of Sedona Arizona. Nate had been waiting the whole trip to see this and he was not disappointed. We caught a glimpse through a narrow valley "only for a moment and the moments gone." (Dust In the Wind reference). Jerome was a sweet little town that sat on the edge of the mountain and had awe inspiring views of the desert red rocks below. We then descended down to around 3000 feet and got hit by the hot wind of the desert. We decided to keep biking because the next day involved a 40 mile climb up to Flagstaff. We biked to Red Rocks State Park where there was no overnight camping so we dropped some of our stuff off and headed in the car to Flagstaff to drop Alex off at the train station. 

   Alex, with good intentions at heart, set out on this bike journey in hopes of reaching the Atlantic like the rest of us. Yet, upon biking into the mountains his body had failed him. He couldn't summon up the leg power or mental energy that it takes to be able to climb mountains daily. It was sad to see him go and that we had lost one biker. Hopefully, out of the three left none of us drop out!

   After dropping Alex off at the train station in Flag, we set out to find a campsite for the night. We cruised back half down the mountain toward Sedona and stopped at a campground, only to find that there is free camping 5 miles back up ahead without amenities. Well, Lets go free! So we stopped off at this gate and slept in nice field with Ponderosa pines tickling the skyline.

   Today started off just before Sedona in Lower Red Rock State Park. It was a whole day of climbing back up to Flagstaff, the toughest climbing west of the Mississippi river! Did I neglect to mention the most beautiful climbing to date? We started with a hardy pace up to Slide Rock! WAHOOOO! We met my mom at Slide Rock for a bit of the ol' swimming and cliff jumping! The water was freezing but utmost refreshing, thanks Oak Creek! 

   After our squander in the water we resumed climbing only to hit the worst part of climbing of the day from elevation 6,000 ft. to elevation 7,000 ft. Switchback after switchback to strode up the mountain at a pace that ants could beat (not really though, its just been a lot of climbing lately so our legs were quite tired). We fought our way to the top to a beautiful scenic view where we happened to make acquaintances with a few good people.

   Rick and Stan had been following us since Gerome! They kept passing us, then we kept passing them, and so on and so forth until we both ended up at the scenic view at the same time! They made comments to us about how they were amazed how we kept on passing them along the way! Both Rick and Stan were glad to  hear about our journey and why we were doing it. We bid them farewell on their tour of Arizona!

   The next two people were both bikers who were on their way down the mountain! Stephanie and Jimmy chatted with us for a good time only to be offered by them, our first in house sleep area! Too bad by the time they were done with their ride, we were already crashing and wanted a place to sleep and shower in the instant haha. So we made our way to the KOA of Flagstaff... DON'T COME HERE! They attempted friendly, but they really are not. Stephanie, we should have just waited for your accommodations! We thank you generously anyhoo and hope that you and Jimmy both spread the word about our journey! Keep Flagstaff cool!

   That just about does it for the day... Great day in general, about 41 miles biked mostly uphill! Thanks a bunch to all our readers, especially those in Germany and the UK! Also the other countries that seem to randomly check up on us! Not to neglect all those readers here in the United States! Everyone keep following and reading our blog! Spread the word, post it on your facebook, tweet it, google plus it, MYSPACE IT! Thanks a bajillion ya'll!

Quote of the week. "I don't want to expose my delicate undercarriage to the black abyss"
Nate on using pit toilets.

 Elliot We are sorry

 Sick Back flip

 Not Slidin at Slide Rock

 Joey not jumping into water only rocks

 The muscle splash

 Chillin bros catchin them rays

 Kate goin for it

Matt doin the Pig Pen and Joey hippin it

 Red Rock State Park (Look at that contrast)

 Panorama

Clouds are real

DONATE HERE

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=EF300BE708944C1699D288CC2CBE6157&supId=355267381

Congress to Prescott! Hardest Climb West of the Appalachians!

GREETINGS WORLD!
   This blog post is coming to you from lovely Prescott Arizona thanks to the Wifi at the Laundry Room! We started out a little bit before 7 a.m. this morning at the Arrowhead Saloon with a good climb right off the bat! Starting climb was around 1,800 ft. for around 7 miles to a small town on top called Yarnell 4,800 ft. elevation. We crushed the climb in just under an hour for each of us, we can tell that we are all getting quite a bit stronger!
   Mid way up the climb I (Joey) was a bit ahead of the other two cyclists when I came across another biker slowly making his way up the ascent. Great guy named Earrol, Airrol, Eerel...(sorry, I have no idea how to spell your name...). He and I chatted up a storm as we climbed together to the top. As we cruised up Matt decided to join us for the chat, which was a grand time with him in the conversation. Just so happens that he is a collector of old bikes and cars, also an E.M.T. for the local fire dept. Just want to throw that shout out to him for slowing me down when he did, the rest of the day was pretty intense!
   After we all made it to the top we had some fun descents into cooler weather with... WHATS THAT! TREES! The sun was no longer boiling our blood, there was actually green grass growing! Dogs and horses galore as well! The middle of the ride was just a sight for sore eyes!
   Ascent number 2... On our route map, it says this is the hardest climbing west of Maryland! We can now see why! We climbed another 2,000 ft. up and also with rolling mountains, fast descents, sharp turns, and beautiful views! It was tough for us, but we all managed to make it to the top of the climb at 6,100 ft! Shortly after on our descent, we strolled into a campground called White Spar in the Prescott National Forest.
   After setting up a bit of camp and some good food in our bellies we hit the town! Our camp neighbor Serena told us of a little festival going on at the courthouse in Prescott and we thought, what a great place to do some awareness and fundraising! We have a lot of shout outs coming up from the good people of Prescott, with a lot of their websites listed below! We told our story to many of the vendors and some of them with their kind hearts gave us a few very helpful items! Pickles, muscle balms/rubs/ pickles, and soap!

Thanks to Jack for the arthritis creme! Mine and Nates knees are feeling much better!
http://www.koalabrands.com/ Check out what he was selling here! good stuff folks!

Thanks to Richard Maranville for his home made muscle ointment. Also to Louis for the Wonderful Lemongrass/Rosemary soap! Nate would also like to mention that his back is feeling so much better after the massage! Check out their website here: http://www.naturalhealinggarden.massagetherapy.com/

 Joey killin it!

 Matt killin it

\ Nate killin it doing the wave

Check out them fisticuffs at 6,100 ft!

Thanks to Carolyn for the Rio Verde Tomatillo Salsa, it was delicious to taste, now we can't wait to devour the rest! Check out her taste of the southwest here: http://www.goldwaters.com/

Once again a big, big thanks to all of those we met at the little festival! I hope you all follow our journey! As of now, we are doing some laundry... so we smell somewhat better. For now, as always, tell your family, tell your friends, and tell your foes!

P.S. If you cannot read some of the posts try highlighting them and you should be able to read them. Sorry for the inconvenience we will be working on this issue on our next post and those to come.

DONATE HERE

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=7C52AB09E280437393AD641F77245A5B&supId=355267381

From Don's Cactus Bar to Arrowhead Saloon!

Hello world!
    Today started just before sunrise as most of our days do. We got on our bikes at 7am and started another 55 mile day. We all started a little sore but not as bad as we thought we would after the rough day yesterday. Most of the day was a steady climb and we started with a 20 mile stretch of absolutely straight road. When I say straight I mean no change except for the mountains on both sides slowly passing by. After a brief bout of head on wind and bumpy road that was all too reminiscent of yesterday we took our first and only turn of the day. There Kate met us with some water refills and we started the second part of our day only to be halted by the first flat tire of the trip (Mile 380 of the trip and a little under 600 total). This flat tire belonged to Joey and we were lucky enough to still  be by the car so we had a pump handy to change the flat. The rest of the day was a steady climb on bumpy road but nothing compared to yesterday. We arrived in Congress a little before noon and came to Arrowhead Saloon. We are now sitting in the bar blogging to all you followers and chattin it up with Chuck and Pam the owners. They are being extremely generous and letting us camp in their RV park for free for the night. (We also got some ice) Tomorrow starts with some tough climbs that we can see from the bar but we will be well rested and ready to go. OOOOO yea there is a lingerie party in the bar tonight...

 Bullets can't pierce Kevlar... but this little guy sure did!

 Speaks for itself

 Morning yoga!

Fixin a flat!

DONATE BELOW AND KEEP FOLLOWING ALONG. NEW POSTS COMING WHEN WE CAN.

http://jointsinmotion2012.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1002344&lis=1&kntae1002344=7C52AB09E280437393AD641F77245A5B&supId=355267381