Where is Lance?

Follow Al on his cross country bike tour!

If you want to see the itinerary, click here.

To learn more about the tour, click here.

Day 11 I rode in the desert on a bike with no name

2009-05-19

Scores from the: Are you kidding me? ride across America
86 Hot desert miles from Holbrook AZ to Gallup NM

Riding on I40: Enough already
Riding in the hot desert sun: Enough already
Fatigue level: There is no number high enough
Aches and pains: Oh my God
Seeing what we gave the Navajo: Disgusting
Having to force myself to eat because I know its good for me: Incomprehensible
Learning how to use the computer for the blog: Fooled you didn't I


Right out of the hotel Jack blasts away and idiot follows him. Pretty soon we are leading the group. After about 20 miles Willie and Chris overtake us. I can't keep up and fall back. A few more power riders overtake me. At the first SAG I have a shoe problem and let Jack take off. From about the 30 mile mark to the second SAG I rode alone. As I was leaving Jack comes into the SAG with Mark. He had stopped at a gas station and then had a flat. From the second SAG I also rode alone, between those with the hammer down and the sane people. It was a tough day for everyone. Climbing into the wind on a hot desert day.
We never really know where or what the other riders are doing. If they stop at a store we don't see them. Sometimes they get bumps-take a ride from one spot to another. I only have taken a bump to the ER.
Everyone is very, very tired.
Rich left today. What a loss.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a name for my bike?

Note to Mike at Aberdeen: Call me if you can at 734 646 9015. We are now on Mountain time and leave the hotel at 9am est.




Holbrook to Gallop 86 Miles


We each get two small bags for luggage. We will soon place the bags in a grid so that they can be loaded onto the truck in a given pattern.


Chris has a unique solution to his foot problems. If you look closely you can see that he has cut off the tip of his shoes.


Eastern AZ was not real spectacular

Messages

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Who tipped off the newspaper? Now the pressure is on poor old Al to actually finish. Sent 2009-05-20 from Bruce

Hi Al You are amazing! Only 11 days and already in the 3rd state - wow. I would still be in California and would have no problem eating at every diner, drive-in and dive along the way. As far as a name for the bike, how about "Thumper" after the million dollar mule back in the 70's. After all, throughout American history, mules have always been the most dependable thing to get peoples butts across the country. Keep up great posts and travel safe! Sent 2009-05-20 from Tom Tont

I know it gets a little rough to make it from the start to the finish each day. In regards to the bike name,I suggest "Bessy". I used to drive old vehicles which were all I could afford. Sometimes they would start to spit and sputter when I was driving home and I would tap my hand on the dashboard and talk to the car " Come on Bessy you can do it. Get me home". You can tap your hand on the handle bars of the bike and tell her "Come on Bessy. Just a little further. Get me to the Hotel". Just remember you need to talk to her gently, not out of anger or frustration. Come to think of it, that only worked about half of the time. Sent 2009-05-20 from Bob

When I think of your ride on a trusty steed, I recall another Alexander the Great. His horse was Bucephalus. Only Al could ride him and he would only kneel down for Alexander the Great. He died at 30 though. Other horses in history you might choose would be Mister Ed, the talking horse. Sent 2009-05-20 from rob

Al, I see you say you are having to force yourself to eat because it's "good for you". Or is it that you're so consumed with winning a $2.00 bet that you don't want to eat? Just to update you, yesterday I was only 161 LBS (well that was after I stripped down to my shorts). You should have seen all the people running away screaming!! Truthfully Al, I miss all our bantering about the scale. Keep on truckin' and EAT! EAT! EAT! Sent 2009-05-20 from Bob

Regarding bike name: there's always the old, reliable 'Bike' . Easy to remember, especially important for someone in your condition. Will you ride by Fenway on the way to Revere Beach? Either way, given the fact that you finish in Boston, Ted ain't a bad name for a bike. And your brother's suggestion merits serious consideration. Sent 2009-05-20 from Old Uncle John

Interesting that the Ann Arbor News article about Al's bike ride is paired with an article about Alzheimers. Perhaps 'age-related' neurological changes (i.e., 'he's completely lost it') help explain recent behavior beginning in Manhattan Beach. And perhaps Al's bike doesn't really need a name if he'd have trouble remembering it. Sent 2009-05-20 from Old Uncle John

Well, Al, I don't want to tell you what to name your bike. That's personal. But I do have a list of suggestions of what NOT to name your bike: Hindenburg, Titanic, Blackhawk, Endurance, Valdez, Challenger, Columbia, Corvair, or Pinto. Rock on! Sent 2009-05-20 from Phillis

Upon reflection I think Al's bike should be named "putz" since it spends so much time between his legs. Those of you with a limited Yiddish vocabulary might want to research its meaning. Sent 2009-05-20 from chuck

There is a story on Al's adventure in today's Ann Arbor News. Page A1. Sent 2009-05-20 from Geoff Larcom, AA News

A story on Al's amazing trip ran today in the AA News. It is twinned with another story on some U-M grads who are going cross country to raise money for Alzheimer's. Sent 2009-05-20 from Geoff Larcom, The Ann Arbor News

A story on Al's amazing trip ran today in the AA News. It is twinned with another story on some U-M grads who are going cross country to raise money for Alzheimer's. Sent 2009-05-20 from Geoff Larcom, The Ann Arbor News

A story on Al's amazing trip ran today in the AA News. It is twinned with another story on some U-M grads who are going cross country to raise money for Alzheimer's. Sent 2009-05-20 from Geoff Larcom, The Ann Arbor News

A story on Al's amazing trip ran today in the AA News. It is twinned with another story on some U-M grads who are going cross country to raise money for Alzheimer's. Sent 2009-05-20 from Geoff Larcom, The Ann Arbor News

Oh and there's also a personal favorite: Rosebud! Sent 2009-05-20 from Diane

A name for your bike? I like the suggestion of horse names but that calls to mind the lyrics from America (at least as I remember them: I've been through the desert on a horse with no name it felt good to get out of the rain........La La La Lalalala Stay safe. Sent 2009-05-20 from dcarr@annarborymca.org

It sounds like things are going pretty well. I haven't heard about any back problems. You haven't been to the ER in the last couple of days. No chickens have hit the back of your head. And most importantly, the haverers have NOTHING to talk about but how Al is doing. The rest of these people are WAY too nice methinks, you should hear the conversations in the Y. Sent 2009-05-20 from JD

For all of you following Al's blog. I just finished riding with him and can't say what a GOOD man he is. Al you inspire people, you care about others. In a word you are a... gem! Don't let the old guy fool you. He is strong as a horse now and is finishing at the front of the pack. You will be missed my friend, especially those wonderful rub downs you volunteer to give all the guys to help our aches and pains. Sent 2009-05-20 from Rich

I was thinking about a name for your bike and looked at the list of horses from the Kentucky Derby - some are very appropriate: Mr Hot Stuff (only for the dessert part), Hold me Back (when you're chasing Jack), I want Revenge, Nowhere to Hide, Join the Dance - but maybe the best one is Advice (so when things get really bad, you could start talking to your bike!) Thanks for keeping us all talking to each other. Sent 2009-05-20 from Larry

about Boston, for your bike-- in case you forget where you are going?? after all the desert you will lokk foreword to the mts.--at lest they have downhill.. no. for this trip///---priceless!!! Sent 2009-05-20 from peter brown

As they say in the Girl Scouts, "Believe in yourself!" Not just sure what that means, but if it helps, take it. Sent 2009-05-19 from Denny

I like Crazy Horse but my vote is to name the bike after the sign that hung in your office for years: "No Guts No Glory". Thanks for peddling and blogging us through this adventure. It's fun to read from this end. After all these years, I had no idea that you are such a funny writer! BTW-I wouldn't think the less of you if you treated yourself to an easy going noncompetitive day to heal your wounds and regain your strength....SKD Sent 2009-05-19 from Sandy D

If you made it across the hot Arizona desert, you can make it all the way!! Keep going! YOU CAN DO IT!! Sent 2009-05-19 from Mary

Don't let Morton's remark worry you. Things at TNG never really change, lotsa self-designated non-com's, no grunts, and everybody has a party hat. I can't believe you don't have an appetite. This is your big chance to let the fat man out of his cage without ramifications. I was counting on you to eat a big slice of five-layer chocolate cake. Other people might be in it for the vicarious scenery, I'm counting on the vicarious carbohydrates. I like Crazy Horse too, or Eveready, it keeps going and going and going, like you. Sent 2009-05-19 from 60

Impressive Al - when Carol was getting chemo, eating was just part of the job. Food was a four letter word to be endured. She recommends eating by colors and food groups - taste is irrelevant ... it's a job. Bike names are pretty personal and depend on how you feel about the whole thing. This morning you could call it "Idiot" since it followed Jack. Other days might be Insanity, Torture, Clyde, Miss Take, Roll On (or Roland if you prefer), Friar Butt. Carol also likes Timex (takes a licking ...). In that vein, Chip recommends Roll Ex. There's also the acronym route: TB which could be Tired Bottom, Trusty Beast, Twisted Behavior, Total Boredom, Terrific Beauty (one day of that, anyway). How about WWIT? (What Was I Thinking?). Good Luck. Sent 2009-05-19 from Chip and Carol

Possible bike names: Christine - The possessed car from the movie Roxanne - When you are riding by yourself you can be screaming ROXAAAAANNNE!!!! (only if you're a Sting want to be)I'm thinking of the do-rag photos and it seems to fit Billy Barue- (from caddie shack) - on long uphill rides you can mumble oh billy,billy,billy,billy......... Silver - (from the Lone Ranger) - When going fast downhill, do it yelling HI_HO Silver AWAYYYYYYYYY!!!! I like Mark's suggestion of "Sarge" but only if it's a power hungery, egomanic, self centered, etc, etc, etc, etc......... After all I do have a hard fought reputation to consider. Holding down the fort here and I hope that the trip is everything you hoped it would be. STAY SAFE. Sent 2009-05-19 from Walt Curry

re. bike name. what do you normally call the thing between your legs? Sent 2009-05-19 from chuck

I was thinking you could call the bike "sarge" because I was at TNG today and that's what Walt Curry is being called by his "subordinates." Seems Walt has laid down the law in your absence. Sent 2009-05-19 from Mark Morton

I'm loving your blog - what a trip! How about calling the bike Crazy Horse - a little less obscure than Rocinante and somewhat more descriptive. Are you kidding me!?! Sent 2009-05-19 from Andy Franklin

From one crazy idealist to another.... call your bike Rocinante; it was Don Quixote's horse. Keep up the peddling... you are almost there!!! Monica Sent 2009-05-19 from Monica Atkins

From one idealist to another.... call your bike Rocinante; it was Don Quixote's horse. Keep up the peddling... you are almost there!!! Monica Sent 2009-05-19 from Monica Atkins

Uncle Allan: Speaking of food, are you gaining weight yet? If not, yer just gonna havta start eatin' through the pain. We're countin' on ya, Uncle Al! Sent 2009-05-19 from Old Uncle John