With my mother leaving to head up to Monument Valley it was a day of looking round bike shops for me. Everyone I spoke to was more than a touch shocked that I'd managed to break the frame, especially a Cannondale. Alas all were agreed that it's toast so it was a case of new bike which I think I've managed to source from Absolute Bikes here in Flagstaff. Rather than rush the guys to get the bike ready quickly I've decided to hired a car up to Moab to go cycling there, coming back down to Flagstaff to set off on Wednesday.
In the meantime, this break has given me a spare moment to actually get round to replying to all the many messages that I've been very grateful to receive over the past few weeks. They've all been much appreciated.
Angus - thanks again for all your help at the start in Seattle. Was that really only six weeks ago?
Brent - you'd have loved this trip as there's an awful lot of fascinating bird life to be seen on it. All ornithological, of course!
Clarky - get that machine in your hallway dusted off and out on the streets then we can set up a VJ Capital bike racing team once I'm back sponsored by the profits of the various VJC enterprises.
Col - I'm thinking I might consider cycling to the Hearts European matches given third place is secured. Happy days.
Dave H - yeah, Dave, you hear that, European football trips. Still, guess you can console yourself with the fact I'm buying you several kegs of beer given your team's promotion into some lower league.
Dave L - this new bike I'm getting has strange things called drop bars. Am I in danger of turning to the dark side of cycling?
Donna - just on from your comment about the headwind on the way the Everest base camp. Did you hear anything about a guy called Goran Kropp and his Himalayan adventure when you were there by any chance? That guy surely had the best (and toughest) cycling expedition ever having cycled from Sweden to Everest Base camp with, if I remember right, about 100kg of bike+kit. He then proceeded to climb Everest solo. Leaves me feeling like a complete amateur.
Grahame - just one request, please, no more puns.
Grant - real shame you couldn't make it over here. You'll need to head over sometime in the future for some hiking in the Canyon
Inzer - you did ask what I think about on the bike for 8-12 hours a day. Pretty simple really, for the first half it was about 'what's hurting the most? And how do I move to ease the pain?' while lately it's been a mixture of 'how do I stay awake', and 'just how much hotter is it going to get?'. Three simple questions but they've probably kept me occupied for over half the miles.
James - believe me, for a few minutes your 'pack up the bike' suggestion was very tempting.
John & Joan - thanks for the message. It's a shame blogs weren't up and running when Lynn did her mammoth trip.
Kenny - I managed to see the HK sevens pics on Facebook. Congrats, you easily beat Clarky in terms of looking ridiculous.
Lynn - thanks very much for the sponsorship. I took your advice and took a trip to Pier 39 in San Fran - great food and a comical collection of sealions.
Pete - thanks for all the tips and advice in the early weeks. Was great to have a second opinion there to keep me in check. Hope you enjoyed your holiday. Now get yourself training for the Corrie!
Philippa - keep doing those laps on the Isle of Dogs route. Trust me cycling is more fun than working.
Sandra - I hope Grahame isn't causing too much trouble while the rest of us are away
Sloany - is VJ Capital Sports Betting running a book on me finishing this trip? If so what are the odds?
Sara - trust me, Highway 1 is a lot more painful on a bike than it looks to be in a car. I think you had the right idea.
Sarah - was nice to meet you at Treebones as well. Hope you're not rushing to get a job. And the Big Sur pics look great by the way.
Simon - any chance you can tell that lot next door to get a move on and initiate on the mid-caps? I've been long one co. for weeks awaiting them to come out with a buy rating on it.
Sue - hey don't knock it, Victoria Park is a start. By the way, you wouldn't believe how much time I've spent in the saddle wishing I was sitting in the beer garden of the Captain Kidd with a chilled ale.
Wayne & Stacey J - once again just to say I really appreciated you putting me up in Seattle. That easier and less stressful start to the whole trip has probably been the difference to me finishing one or two of the stages on the way here. Oh, and do you do deliveries for your Jack Daniels spaghetti? Please!
Wayne S - hope your coping with being out numbered by the Parkers once again.
I think and hope that's everyone but I'm really, really sorry if I missed you out (and there have been a few anonymous comments as well).
Thanks again
Fraser
